How to Fix Antique Glass Door Knobs
A frequent question we get asked here at Hippo isn't so much a question as a look of panic and frustration. People come in holding lovely glass door knobs in their hands telling woeful tales of friends stuck in the bathroom or spouses trapped in the garage. They say their knobs are broken and they need a new set.
Octagonal and fluted (occasionally round or rarely other unusual shapes) glass door knobs are common throughout Portland as well as buildings from the 1920's - 1940's. And eventually, they fail. It's a remarkably elegant failure because the solution is fairly simple. Below we'll walk through the most common type of failure and how you can fix it rather than buy new knobs.
Step 0 (aka the problem) - Your knob spins or falls off in your hand
If your door knob just spins when you try to turn it or even 'skip's when you're turning, chances are your threads have worn out. Commonly, they either simply wear down completely
or the pressure of the steel will carve out a square shape where there should be a circle:
Before we dive in, there are other common problems that may cause your knob to spin or fall off though, so let's rule out a couple other scenarios first.
Scenario A) Your set screw is just loose. Find your set screw in the 'collar' or base of your knob, make sure it's sitting on the face of your spindle (not on a corner). To check, take out your set screw and look through the hole. If you see a corner, twist the knob a little further. Otherwise, tighten down the set screw and check to see if your knob still spins. If not, then you're already done! Victory lap!
Scenario B) Your door knob's glass has come loose from the collar. To test this, hold the collar, or base, of the knob, and see if the glass spins independently. If so, this will require some MacGuyvering with super glue (we recommend the super runny xylene based kind to really get in there and twisting the glass part around while it's wet to get all the crannies) or possibly just replacement.
Assuming neither scenario is true, let's move on to step 1:
Step 1 - Take both knobs off the spindle
This can be accomplished by unscrewing both set screws, unscrewing your knobs from the spindle.
(Tip: You won't need your set screws anymore, but if you have a whole house of the same knobs, we'd recommend keeping these little guys around because if one gets lost, they can be difficult to replace.)
When you look in your knob's collar, it will probably look torn up, flattened, and mostly square instead of mostly round. This is another good indicator that your threads have done their duty and are no longer functional.
Step 2 - Acquire a new spindle
The easiest way to do that at Hippo is to bring in your knobs. If your threads are damaged enough, you can use a spindle with no threads, and only straight tapped holes. However, most of the time it's easier to use a spindle with both thread and straight tapped holes. This way, the knob will screw on so you don't have to battle the remaining thread.
Most knobs fit on a 20 thread spindle but some do not. If you come into Hippo, we can trouble shoot with you in person. If you can't bring it in here, you can take your knob or spindle to a local hardware store and find out the thread.
We sell offer a 'spindle kit' which includes the spindle, two set screws, and 6 washers. Spindle kits can be purchased here (Note we have some updated information on spindle kits - read more about them here)
f you purchase your spindle elsewhere, make sure you also get two straight tapped screws which will screw directly into the spindle, and many small washers that you will use as needed to keep the knobs from sliding back and forth in your door.
Step 3 - Attach one knob to the end of the spindle
Screw on knob onto the spindle and keep screwing until you get as far down as possible and have the set screw hole over the hole in the spindle. It's easiest to screw it down as far as possible and then back up the nearest hole. Screw in the new set screw (through the knob, into the spindle). Your knob should feel tightly attached to the spindle.
Step 4 - Put the spindle through the door
Assuming your door, latching mechanism, and plates are still attached (if not, attach them now), put one or two washers on the spindle and slide them down to the base of the door knob. This is an estimate and will likely need to be tested and changed a few times to get it right. If, even with all six washers, the spindles are still too long for your door we suggest you cut down your spindle instead of continuing to stack washers.
These washers should nestle between the base of the knob and your door plate. Then push the spindle through your door.
Step 5 - Attach the second knob
Now, place one or two washers on the end of the spindle poking through the door. Again, use your best guess as to how many washers you will need based on the length of the spindle and the depth of your door plus plates.
Install the other door knob, following the same tactic of screwing down as far as possible and then backing up to the nearest spindle hole. From this point, you can see where your knobs will sit and if your washers are correctly placed. If you need to add or remove washers, now is a good time to do so.
Once your washers are set, screw down the second knob, screw in the set screw, and voila! Your beautiful original door knobs once again are working like champs! Victory lap!
Next →
← Previous
19 Responses
Ann
Do you deliver to Canada?
Noel
Hi
I have a old brass door knob that slips because the brass does not catch on the screw hole. Is there an easy way to fix this like just getting a slightly longer screw for the hole or is there some other way. It is not the spindle it is the brass housing of the knob that slips
Karen Patterson
I’m thrilled to find this article. Almost trapped myself in my office bedroom this morning and decided it was time to look for a solution. My Sacramento house was built in 1938. Thank you!
LeAnn Olson
What can we do if there is no way to unscrew the screw to tighten it.
LeAnn Olson
What can we do if there is no way to unscrew the screw to tighten it.
Margo
I just got your replacement spindle kit and am trying to make the repair. One end of the old spindle came out of the door easily. The other one doesn’t seem to want to budge. I don’t want to force anything and wondered if you had a tip before I proceed? Thanks. i’m feeling hopeful!
Margo
Timothy Murski
The lock set mechanism has a hole with edges. If your knob is inaccessible, the latch can be operated with a pair of scissors. My problem is that the set screws keep backing out. I used nail polish instead of superglue because I don’t want it to be impossible to remove later if something else goes wrong, as it did today. The deadbolt in the set was loose and locked me out! luckily I was able to open the door by wedging and jimmying an old credit and reassemble the lock set without problems. Good luck to all who have issues with these old style lock sets.
Lisa
Thank you for the article. I’ve had it with my knobs sliding back and forth. I’ve been to too many stores looking for the “right” spindle.
Last night I thought about using washers and this morning I saw your photo !
Next time I’m in Portland, I’ll stop by !
Thanks again !
Jim Hayes
I have a 100 year old front door with a latch set on the exterior and a glass knob on the interior. The glass knob requires a split spindle with the small Y on the exterior side which operates the latch and the two flat sides of the spindle in the knob ( interior side ). The knobs threads are stripped and it is held by overtightening the set screw so that is held only by the tension of screw and spindle. I have plenty of spindles but I need a knob. How can I identify a knob that accepts a split spindle?
Amanda
Thank you so much for a great article! My linen closet knob malfunctioned a while back & i didn’t know how to fix it. Good to go now :)
Mary Ann
I have a glass knob going into my den the one on the inside door came off and the screw is stuck and I cannot get it out no matter what I try it will not come out so I guess this means I need to get a whole new knob correct…I think the screw is stripped therefore I can’t get it out thank you
Jason
I just bought a house built in the 1930s with original hardware. I have two closet doors with this type of door knob. I want to take them off and polish them up. I have done this with other doors in the house and they look great now! The problem is that these closet door knobs won’t come off easily once I remove the set screw and start turning. The one just spins and spins forever without coming off. The other spins a quarter turn and then stops. The only difference with these two doors is they only have a knob on the outside and inside they have a latch that looks like a T. Any suggestions?
Sarah Magallan
The outer glass knob is MIA and i cant open the door AT ALL. I have a feeling one of the kids let it fall INSIDE the closet and doesn’t care lol
Laurie
So excited about this article!!!!! Got locked in my room and I’m so relieved to have a game plan come tomorrow! Phew! I never want to have another door knob fall off in my hand..
Meredith Morgan
Thank you SO much! I am going to take my knobs to a hardware store straight away and get thread size, then order your kits! I suspected it was spindle-related, but it’s great to know that even a knob with busted threads can be turned into a tapped screw type knob. Many thanks!!
Glade
Love it when the first website answers my questions, as you have with panache.
Time to macGuyver my glass knob back onto its collar base.
{I won’t try crazy glue}; rather, Guerrilla Glue + possibly a tool to pop the glass back into the metal.
Thanks and cheers! From a 1946 Lake Cabin in NJ,
Karen
Thanks for this clear and helpful post! We recently purchased a 1930s home in Utah and have falling off knobs. This gave me some ideas on how to fix the problem. Many thanks!
Tina
I have a glass door knobs that have come apart from the collar of the door knob. We have tried crazy glue and other types of glue but being glass they wont stay together. What else can we use.
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
Recent Articles
- Have a broken lamp or chandelier? Hippo can help!
- There's been a rumor that we're closing - We're not!
- Removing Valves and Cartridges
- Time Keeps on Ticking
- Hippo Fixes Leaky Faucets
Tags
- antique (2)
- build (1)
- cartridges (1)
- clocks (1)
- faucet (1)
- fix lamps (1)
- greenhouse (1)
- kitchen (1)
- lamp repair (1)
- lighting (1)
- old (1)
- plumbing (1)
- portland (1)
- reuse (1)
- ul certified (1)
- valves (1)
- vintage (3)
- windows (1)
About Us
Hippo Hardware is an eclectic building salvage store specializing in hardware, lighting, architecture and plumbing from 1860-1960. We offer assorted collectibles, trinkets, whatnots, and whoziwhatsits depending on what we get in. The spirit of Hippo Hardware is to rejoice in the individual, the unique, and the original.
Hippo Hardware was officially established in 1976 after the founders Steven Miller and Stephen Oppenheim decided to turn a life of swashbuckling adventures into a second life of swashbuckling adventures. We live in the local, even for our customers far away. That means you will probably hear a story about burying a Porsche in a state park while you are asking about a faucet or meet Fred the shop dog while you're paying for a light fixture. We strongly support community projects, teachers, artists, adventurers, dreamers, and one-man-bands.
If you're looking for a hard to find hardware pattern or can't find the match to your lamp shade, we'd be happy to tell you if we have it, seen it, or know where you could get it.
To make sure you get what you need, we offer the following services:- Lighting and Lamp Repair - We have a fully UL certified lighting repair shop. We can repair and rewire most vintage or antique fixtures. You may want to call or e-mail if it's newer, but we can sometimes fix those too. Shop prices are $80/hour plus parts.
- Customizing - We do our best to make sure it looks just right. Our lighting shop can customize length, finishes, plating, and configuration. Our plumbing department will coordinate refinishing with local companies. The hardware department is able to darken, refinish, clean, and rebuild. Our services can vary depending on staff so please contact us with your project details.
- Returns - Accepted for any reason within 2 weeks of purchase. That means if it doesn't fit, if your sweetheart doesn't like it, if it doesn't match your paint scheme. Receipt required. Returned to you the way you paid and items MUST be in original packaging and condition. Defective or damaged items will not be eligible for a refund.
- If your items were shipped: Shipping refunded only in the case of defective items. Hippo does not refund original OR return shipping cost.
- Online shopping - Conveniently browse our online section of items! Please note: our online section is much smaller than our store selection, we do offer returns for online purchases but do not refund original shipping or provide return shipping. We ship on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
- Trade in - Bring in what you have and we will offer you in store credit or cash. Email pictures first if you'd like to talk about it before you get here.
- Mortise lock repair - Hippo is the only hardware store in Portland that offers full mortise lock repair--including French Door mortises and closet mortises! Our repair shop can diagnose and repair your mortise lock or perhaps we have a replacement if a repair is not an option. Shop prices are $80/hour. Please call our store and ask for Colin to speak about your repair!
Hippo Hardware has three glorious floors and 30,000 sq feet of building salvage to explore. Our inventory, and staff, is divided into four departments: Hardware, Lighting, Plumbing, and Architecture. We do our best to highlight our inventory full of unique items and reproductions on our website, but most of our stock is not online yet. Please contact us if you're looking for something you don't see here.
We donate to: NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Portland Women's Crisis Line, Benson High School, Sunnyside Environmental School, Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show, SE Works, Vision Northwest, Multnomah Playschool, Union Gospel Mission, Community House, The Friendly House, Marylhurst Childhood Center, Portland Lions Club, Sabin Elementary School, Oya No Kai supporting the Japanese Magnet Program, Lee Owen Stone Preschool, Public Interest Law Project, Jefferson High School for the Performing Arts Theater Department, imago Theater, Reynolds High School, David Douglas High School, and Milagro Theater.
Carrie
April 25, 2024
This totally worked and now I can get into my big closet again! Thank you hippo!