Handle coming off door

VonLuck

I'm having a problem with the front door of my apartment where the door handle is about to fall off! I have a feeling it's just a poor quality installation originally. The screws for the handle have effectively come loose and it's hanging on for dear life by one remaining screw at the bottom.

The main problem is that the holes for the screws have become enlarged over time and the screws are not engaging with the timber. I've tried pugging the holes with some matches and wood glue, but it hasn't seemed to help. It also appears as though I'm hitting the metal lock mechanism within the door when drilling new screws - maybe the screws I'm using are too long.

Any thoughts on how you would fix this kind of problem? I'm at a loss as to what I can do beyond getting a new door!

Explosive_Cornflake

I'd try plugging the hole again, and using some better screws. A more coarse thread one would hold better. You don't need long screws, 16mm is probably enough, but that depends on how think the plate of the handle is, i.e. how much is actually going into the wood.

I'd also maybe try some golf tee's or some wood stronger than match sticks.

KaneToad

I'd second the golf tee recommendation. Hammer one in (a wooden one!) and saw of the protruding top. Gives a great bed to screw into.

asdfg87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119270103#Comment_119270103

On the same idea but i would use rawlplugs as they will tighten out against the handle. another idea thats foolproof is get tiny bolt and push right through the door to other handle, i have done this on internal door on rented place.

GalwayMan74

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119270131#Comment_119270131

rawlplugs in wood 😄

Gant21

New door this is what house insurance is for. I’ve wore the shirt.

asdfg87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119270419#Comment_119270419

Why not, better option than golf tee.

asdfg87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119270455#Comment_119270455

I agree but most house insurance have excess to avoid small claims.

VonLuck

I'll try the golf tee trick, but something tells me there's something faulty with the door. I've heard a few people having this problem previously, but unfortunately I don't know what the outcome was.

I imagine there does come a point where you need to replace the door, no?

Lumen

Fit a bolt through handle.

standardg60

Don't see the issue with using a rawlplug. Take off the handle, establish the depth of the hole, trim the rawlplug to depth if necessary, and fefit the screw.

L1011

Had to fix this on awful pressed material internal doors - widened out the holes and used dowels (of the size I widened out to) cut to length.

asdfg87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119273410#Comment_119273410

I said this earlier as i stayed in a dump and there was 2 diagonal bolts on all internel doors, most people wouldn't notice and it worked, old plywood doors.

tabby aspreme

As mentioned earlier, get bolt through handles, you may have to change the lock also to suit

Lumen

Useful video on bolt through fitting.

As tabby says you might need to change the lock, but there's just no comparison in terms of strength.

https://youtu.be/DnQXZpOh8G4

asdfg87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119274337#Comment_119274337

i have done this a few times but was not aqware i could buy as better than making up like i did.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handle-Fixing-Screws-Escutcheons-4Pieces/dp/B07Q2N8QRL/ref=asc_df_B07Q2N8QRL/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=278688387021&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13712914608722858038&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007850&hvtargid=pla-698003814619&psc=1

VonLuck

Was just thinking, what about if I rotate the handle fixing bracket say 45 degrees so that I can drill new holes? Would just need to reposition the handle itself to make sure it's horizontal.

VonLuck

Not that anyone cares, but I tried the golf tee trick and it worked! Handle is good as new. Thanks for the help.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119399052#Comment_119399052

Everyone loves feedback OP, what's rare is wonderful