Antique doorknobs can start to slip over time. Vintage hardware such as doorknobs, locks and hinges add character and charm to any home, whether it’s old or new. Antique and vintage doorknobs are collectible items; highly sought after for period homes, historic buildings and admired by collectors for artistic design and craftsmanship. With many years of use, vintage doorknobs can start to slip when turned. Eventually, this can lead to the doorknob just spinning without opening the latch that secures the door. However, with a little cleaning and repair work, vintage doorknobs can often be restored to function properly without having to be replaced. Tightening the Set Screw If you’re lucky, a malfunctioning vintage doorknob might only need to have the set screw tightened. If this is the case, your repair job can be done in literally a matter of a few seconds. The most time-consuming part may be trying to locate your flat head screwdriver. Once you find this tool, look for a small hole near the base of the knob.
Check to see if the screw is still in place. If so, use the screwdriver to tighten the screw. Be careful not to over tighten because you might strip the screw. If the doorknob still slips after tightening the set screw, it may be necessary to replace the spindle. Replacing the Spindle The doorknob assembly is held together by a long, skinny metal piece called a spindle. The spindle is threaded and the doorknobs are screwed on. The spindle also contains flat grooves, which allow the set screw to “grab on” to the spindle. Heavy use of a doorknob with loose set screws can damage the spindle over time. When this occurs, tightening the screw will be ineffective. To replace the spindle, you will first need to remove doorknobs. Loosen the set screw on one doorknob until the knob turns easily by itself. Keep turning the knob to unscrew it from the spindle. Once the knob is off, grab the opposite doorknob and pull the spindle out of the door. Unscrew the second doorknob and screw it back on to a new spindle that is the same size as the one you are replacing.
Take the old spindle to a hardware store and ask for assistance if necessary. You can also find replacement vintage doorknob parts online. Cleaning Vintage Doorknob Hardware A thorough cleaning of vintage hardware can help improve its appearance and how it functions. It is not uncommon to find old doors that were once painted without the hardware being removed or covered beforehand. In order to remove the hardware from the door, it may be necessary to use a utility knife to score the paint around metal plates and lock mechanisms that may have become sealed to the door. Once removed, place the hardware in a crockpot filled with water and add a couple of tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent. Cover and cook on medium heat overnight. Carefully remove the hardware and peel the paint off. Use a nylon brush for stubborn paint. Apply a protective coating of beeswax polish using a soft cloth. Cleaning Glass Doorknobs Do not submerge glass door knobs in hot water, as the heat may cause the glass to crack.
To remove paint from glass door knobs, heat a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove from the heat. Carefully dip the end of a soft rag into the vinegar mixture. Rub the rag on the glass doorknob until the paint comes off. Rubber gloves may help insulate your hands from the heat of the rag. You can also use a razor blade to gently remove the softened paint. Scrape very delicately to avoid scratching the glass. Where to Find Vintage Doorknob Hardware and Parts If you need to find replacement parts for vintage doorknob hardware, eBay is one of the best online resources. You may also find what you need from one of the handful of antique hardware renovation and restoration websites you’ll find from a keyword search of antique doorknobs or antique hardware. Finding the right parts will also depend on knowing the hand of the door. When you face the door, the side that contains the hinges will determine whether it is a right or left hand. In other words, if the hinges are on your right side and you push the door away from you to open it, the door is a right-hand door.
If you pull the door towards you to open it, the door is a right-hand reverse. If you'd like help identifying your antique or vintage doorknobs, you can check the doorknob description page on the Antique Doorknob Collectors of America website. The classification is based on a system developed by Leonard Blumin, and can also be found in his book, "Victorian Decorative Art." /Getty Images Suggest a Correction On Etsy since 2009 Welcome to Half Past Clocks! --THE ORIGINAL, award winning* "Door Knob Clocks." -Clocks created from antique door hardware, with a skeleton key as the pendulum. All clocks are one of a kind. * I was the winner of the metal category at the Tempe Festival of The Arts, Fall 2011 ***Clocks are available for purchase from HALF PAST CLOCKS at the following locations: AUDREY'S BOUTIQUE part boutique, part antique..... 11649 N Cavecreek Rd Phoenix, AZ 85020 SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART..... 7374 East 2nd Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251
SEDONA'S TREE HOUSE gift shop..... 333 N Hwy 89A Suite 6 Sedona, AZ 86336 Upcoming art shows in 2017 CAVE CREEK ART, CHOCOLATE AND WINE FESTIVAL..... Feb 10, 11, 12 Cave creek, AZ (North Scottsdale area) JUNK IN THE TRUNK, L.A..... Pomona, CA (Los Angeles area) PHOENIX HOME AND GARDEN SHOW..... March 3, 4, 5 Phoenix, AZ (Glendale area) RIO GRANDE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW..... March 10, 11, 12 JUNK IN THE TRUNK, SCOTTSDALE..... April 28, 29, 30 **helpful information** can be found under the policies section on the front page copyright 2008-17 Half Past Clocks- thank you door knob and pendulum Report this shop to Etsy View all 4 items Sherry Chadwick on 19 Oct, 2016 This is our second purchase from Half-Past Clocks. They are beautiful and creative! One of a kind clock- half past clocks- door knob clocks-sun purple door knob nw999 on 24 Nov, 2015 Yet another beautiful clock from Jennifer.
A beautiful gift for that person who has everything love it!!! one of a kind-door knob clock-architecural salvage-mixed media -pendulum clock-ornate steel with copper and glass door knob Love every clock I have ever ordered from this artist and I have several of them. She is also very accommodating. FOR NOREEN WALACE- door knob clock-art assemblage- mixed media-pendulum clock- oval with copper wash and glass door knob i like clocks, and i also like stuff. things most people may call junk. i can find art in the unconventional. i like using items in ways for which they were not originally intended. when designing a clock, i take into consideration many things. size, color, texture, shape, spatial relationships and time periods, are just a few. affixing the door knobs, and attaching the mechanisms, along with making sure the pendulum swings properly, can sometimes be a challenge depending on several issues. one of those issues being, out of what material the plate was originally constructed.
i admire functional art and good design, from architecture to silverware. i believe that things can have a purpose and still look good. by creating clocks out of antique door hardware, a lot of my ideas and beliefs about design, have come together. i love taking dusty, tarnished, bent and otherwise forgotten pieces of architectural history, and turning them into beautiful, one of a kind, works of art. I have a 5 year degree in Graphic Design. I attended the University of Cincinnati's, Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning program. I have since come to realize, that I do not particularly care for computers, and much prefer creating with my hands. Find halfpastclocks at the following upcoming market! Local Artisan Marketplace at the Home & Landscape Show University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Dr Local artisans are invited to feature and sell their products within Arizona's largest and most attended home show at a special discounted booth rate. Featuring local, handmade & unique curios and home decor, we extend local artisans the opportunity to participate.