About time I learn..

Hi everyone... I'm 37.. and have decided it's time to learn some handyman skills.. I've lurked around this forum in the past but this is the first time I've felt compelled to sign up and post. I've often referred to myself as the handyman antichrist... so I'm starting from the basics..

The first thing I'm working on are replacing the door latches at my parents' house. They've had the same ones for about 40 years, and the springs have given way, so basically the door handles just sag, there is no real tension - so the doors don't lose properly.

Here is a photo of the existing door hole - note the cavity is round.

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I've not been able to find any circular latches that simply slot into the existing hole.. So I've picked up a square one:

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So... I'm faced with the old problem of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole :-) - I'd like to create some corners to make the circle a square - so the latch can slot in. I'm thinking that a hacksaw blade or square or triangular file would do the trick.. I fear this will take forever as I need to go in a good 80mm.

Am I on the right track in terms of the tools to use, or is there a better/easier way?

Thanks in advance for your help..

Cheers

Welcome to the forum.

What you mention are a few ways that this can be done. For me personally I would use a firmer chisel to remove the waste. Mark out the hole so to speak, and pound away with mallet and chisel.

Take your time when do this, and ensure that this will align before going too deep.

I should add that I think I'll only need to remove 1-2mm tops from each corner.

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "pibram",
Like Christos, you'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for the most, very willing to assist.
First lesson is already learned, a photo is worth a thousand words so continue to show off your handiwork, especially WIP photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork.
Cheers, crowie

PS a square peg will always fit in a round hole, you just need a bigger hammer.....

Welcom to the forum

The Door Store stock the circular ones.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pibram

I should add that I think I'll only need to remove 1-2mm tops from each corner.

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One of the nice things with needing a solution is the variety that's available. As this is only a few millimetres from each corner then a file might be best. With a depth of 80mm, keeping the file straight might be a little difficult. As you already have the file try removing a depth of 2 - 3mm on each corner to see if this will fit.

If the wall thickness does not have to be changed then you should be ok by persisting with the file. You would also be correct that this might take a long time. :)

If you had a thicker saw blade that will fit in the hole then this could also work. My way of thinking is the hack saw blade would flex too much the deeper it goes giving you not so consistent cut along the depth.

Do post what you eventually tried.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrisb691

The Door Store stock the circular ones.

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Really? Can you please send a link? I had a look at their online store and all I could see were ones that were square in shape - - despite being called tubular.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christos

One of the nice things with needing a solution is the variety that's available. As this is only a few millimetres from each corner then a file might be best. With a depth of 80mm, keeping the file straight might be a little difficult. As you already have the file try removing a depth of 2 - 3mm on each corner to see if this will fit.

If the wall thickness does not have to be changed then you should be ok by persisting with the file. You would also be correct that this might take a long time. :)

If you had a thicker saw blade that will fit in the hole then this could also work. My way of thinking is the hack saw blade would flex too much the deeper it goes giving you not so consistent cut along the depth.

Do post what you eventually tried.

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In terms of a chisel like you originally suggested.. would that be something like a thin mortise chisel?

I'm not sure how hard the wood is - so don't know if the filing option would take forever... Only one way to find out I suppose..

Welcome to the forum

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pibram

In terms of a chisel like you originally suggested.. would that be something like a thin mortise chisel?

.....

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Sorry for the late reply but yes thin mortise chisel. Even a paring chisel would work to some degree, best not to strike that with a hammer.