Pin for door handles and cranks

[DonaldSmith]

How to get those pins back in the handle, while fighting the spring-loaded escutcheon? The topic popped up on two current threads.

As the holes wear, it gets harder to line everything up. The pin doesn't want to come out of the shaft in the right place.

I found brass hobby tubing at the local hardware that is the same size as the pins, and finishing nails that would just fit inside the tubing. I cut tubing and nails to length to make up several sets.

I use a full-length nail to go through the handle and shaft, and out the other side of the handle. The nail is long enough so that I can keep it going straight.

Then I work a section of tubing over the nail and into place. I pull out the nail, and put a short length of nail into the tube. I suppose the short nail reinforces the brass tube so it won't collapse at some bad time.

[Plymouthy Adams]

never had a problem..just push in on the door panel to compress the spring, while using a curved forcep with the pin clipped in the jaws, simply insert..removing any of these has never been much a problem either..I use an ice pick most of the time..the ice pick can also be used to align the shaft and handle holes on assembly..

[Don Coatney]

..I use an ice pick most of the time....

Makes me wonder just how many folks actually own an ice pick these days?

[Plymouthy Adams]

An ice pick in the shop is indespensible..I use it for as stated above, aligning holes,,,finding holes beneath carpet and padding, makes a good scratch awl also..and I have one with my metal detector when out shooting for coins etc..

[1942cowdodge]

while using a curved forcep with the pin clipped in the jaws,

What kind of tool is this? do you have a picture to go with this? Is it a doctors tool? Would like to know

[Plymouthy Adams]

Forceps are standard tools in the electronics field...have used them since about 1972 for mechanical and electonic tasks..these do come from the medical field ...you can ususlly buy these at most larger swap meets that sell specialized tools..

[Frank Elder]

Or you could use hemostats.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe most hemostats are flat jawed, no serated teeth for grabbing per se...main used for clamping off viens and such without damage to the tissue..have some of these also..good for holding a wire or what not so as not to damage the insulation..

Edited July 25, 2010 by Tim Adams

[Frank Elder]

So true, I had not factored in slippage from smooth surfaces.

[Don Coatney]

AKA roach clips:cool:

[Frank Elder]

AKA roach clips:cool:

AAAAHHH, the shady side of life....cough, cough...doritos.