Door Handle Springs.

[vivandorron]

I have a number of really solid brass door handles but am unable to find an Internet site which sells the type of spring for which I am searching. It is important that the spring has an external diameter of 22mm because it has to fit into a recessed section of the door handle. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Obviously the pattern of the spring is vitally important and hopefully
the following photographs will illustrate what I am chasing after.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56486868@N05/8244925492/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56486868@N05/8243859625/in/photostream

Ron.

[The Builder]

Did the levers come with springs originally, Ron?
I can't say I've ever seen them on sale separately.

It's quite normal for some levers to be supplied completely unsprung. I've fitted plenty. The answer with them, is to use a mortice lock (or latch) that has a strong spring. Some cheaper ones are too feeble to return the lever. The stronger ones return them with no problem.

[vivandorron]

Yes they did come with internal springs. The photograph is actually of a broken spring but I think quite cleverly I placed together two broken pieces to show the actual item I require.

I understand what you mean about fitting a well sprung mortice latch but I think it would be easier to fit a new spring, if I only I could find a firm from which to purchase.

Ron.

[heathfield]

It's a question of quality. The cheap 'Made in India' sprung handles wear out relatively quickly as I have found out. I replaced mine with British ones which are so solidly made that they carry a 25 year guarantee! Cost a lot more, naturally, but worth it in the long run. Builder's advice makes good sense. The only problem is those bleedin' blister packs - how do you test if the spring is going to be strong enough?

[jomifl]

I had to resort (the french word for spring is 'ressort') to making my own as the originals were too brittle. Buy a kit of mixed springs and modify the nearest match.

[jomifl]

Ebay item no. 330686701022
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Door-Handle-Spring-Repair-Replacement-Kit-6-Coil-Springs-and-Circlip-Pliers-/330686701022?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Door_Accessories_LE&hash=item4cfe769dde

[The Builder]

Well well .... you learn something every day on here :o)))

[vivandorron]

I can assure you that they are Not cheap 'Made in India' handles and are reall substantial solid brass items which were bought about 30 years ago and it's only now that I have had a spring break and feel sure that similar could now happen to the other six pairs I have on internal doors. I feel sure it would involve a very high expenditure to replace them all; even with the flimsy cheap items which are available in DIY shops and the Internet.

I had already checked out E/Bay and whilst there are springs of the pattern which I require, they are all of the wrong size.

jomifl....I have lots of door handle springs of varying patterns but am yet to know ..."How does one modify one if you cant bend it."

There must be an answer somewhere to my problem.

Ron.

Ron.

[jomifl]

The subject of spring making is way beyond my knowledge, however not all springs are very brittle and can be bent to take up a new shape whilst retaining their springiness. Stainless steel welding wire comes in various thicknesses and work hardens as you bend it. I have used it for making many springs that don't have to be too springy. Some springs can be 'persuaded' to become the right size. You can 'de-temper' spring steel by heating it to cherry red, bend it to shape when it has cooled, then re- temper it by heating to cherry red and plunging into water or oil. A lot of experimentation will probably be needed and a lot of wire to make mistakes with.

[buildersmate]

What you have there is a torsion spring, Ron.

You say you searched the internet but found nothing. These things are made to hundreds of different standard design patterns, or custom-made as OEM items for industrial use - clearly you want to be able to find a std design.

The problem you are likely to be up against (assuming you can find a std pattern that looks suitable) is minimum order values. This organisation seems to have a minimum value of £50 - perhaps if you want about 30 of these things for 15 doors, that doesn't sound too bad.

http://www.airedalesprings.co.uk/torsion-springs.php

You could try giving them a ring in the morning.

[vivandorron]

Just a quick up-date of my progress in this matter.

Not feeling capable of making springs, I telephoned this morning Airedale and made reference to one of the firm's 'site pages' :-

http://www.airedalesprings.co.uk/custom-jobs.php

This has now been followed-up with an E/mail to the firm which reads:-

Good afternoon David.........I refer to this morning's telephone conversation and attach hereto a photograph of the spring concerned; together with two other photographs, one of which I think will illustrate that the spring has to fit into a recess on the back of the face plate.

Unfortunately I do not have a micrometer but would say that the springs are 22mm (outside diameter) and are made from 1.4mm wire with two and a half turns.

I do not think that it is important to have a hooked end on the top section and feel sure that a straight vertical end of 10mm would be satisfactory with a bottom tail of 6mm.

As I have six pairs of handles fitted to doors, I am looking to purchase some spare springs which could involve a half dozen right handed and the same quantity of left handed. Consequently, as it all depends upon the cost concerned, I would appreciate an indication of the purchase price involved; if such springs are available in small numbers.

Yours sincerely , Ron ****** Address******Tel:-******
_____________________________________________
______


I'll certainly let you helpful ABers know the outcome.

Ron.

[buildersmate]

Historically, spring manufacture has been undertaken by hundreds and hundreds of small companies, Ron. Go back thirty years and you could find loads of them around Willenhall in the W. Midlands.
Only the strongest survived, but it is still an industry used to making small batches of springs for specific requirements. Your requirement is rather small, but I am hopeful that you might be lucky. I have had no links with the company - I just knew what I was looking out for.

[ChuckFickens]

Could you not just replace the mortice latch with heavy duty sprung ones suitable for unsprung levers and remove the springs from the levers altogether?

[ChuckFickens]

Oppps, sorry to the builder who had already suggested that :)

[vivandorron]

Airedale Springs are certainly off my list. The firm has quoted £5 plus VAT per spring. To hell with that...£12 per pair. Heavy sprung latches are also outers because the backset for the handles would be in a totally different position to the present fittings. (Latches 64mm long backset 40mm)

Anyway I shall continue to ponder the problem. In the meantime I wish to thank all who have contributed to this thread.

Ron.

[jomifl]

Ron, I think £5 for an artisan crafted spring is an absolute gift, there must be nearly as much work in one as a samuraai sword given all the metallurgy and tempering involved. :-)

[Handy_Mandy]

Hi Ron,
I can't access your photo, but from your description this company may have something suitable
http://www.doorhandlesprings.co.uk/