Need Advice On Reattaching Old Door Knob To Handle

[msmit62]

We moved into an old farmhouse about 8 years ago and have done extensive renovations but have kept much of the old character. We love the old stuff.

One of the door knobs fell off the half-bath door and I'm wondering if there is any way to reattach it.

I believe it's original to the house…built in 1900…so it would be neat to repair it rather than replace it with something similar from an antique store.

Maybe there is a goop or putty like JB Weld that can be mushed into the cavity and then the knob can be pressed back onto the handle?

A good friend of mine is a retired machinist so it's not out of the question to do something very creative as well but at that point maybe I should just replace it.

The first two pictures are of the knob that fell off and the second two pictures are for reference and are the still intact knob on the other side of the door.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DGersic]

Can you tell what was holding it on in the first place? It looks like maybe the knob was molded and fired over the shaft.

I’d probably just fill it with JB Weld and let that cure. It’ll outlast the porcelain knob.

 

[Higgins]

We moved into an old farmhouse about 8 years ago and have done extensive renovations but have kept much of the old character. We love the old stuff.

One of the door knobs fell off the half-bath door and I'm wondering if there is any way to reattach it.

I believe it's original to the house…built in 1900…so it would be neat to repair it rather than replace it with something similar from an antique store.

Maybe there is a goop or putty like JB Weld that can be mushed into the cavity and then the knob can be pressed back onto the handle?

A good friend of mine is a retired machinist so it's not out of the question to do something very creative as well but at that point maybe I should just replace it.

The first two pictures are of the knob that fell off and the second two pictures are for reference and are the still intact knob on the other side of the door.

Thanks in advance.

Check out Salvage One in Chicago. They have 3 blocks of buildings!!!

Over the yrs I used them to locate a lot of early 1900 electrical stuff, etc. You can spend days touring the place, its amazing!

AL

 

[jar944]

Just epoxy it back on

 

[msmit62]

Can you tell what was holding it on in the first place? It looks like maybe the knob was molded and fired over the shaft.

I’d probably just fill it with JB Weld and let that cure. It’ll outlast the porcelain knob.

I don't but will try to locate the knob tonight and take a picture. I know I have it but couldn't find it the other night when I took the other pictures.

 

[yatg]

I'd fill the hole in the knob with PL Premium, push it on, spin it to get into the nooks and crannies of the shaft structure, wipe off excess, clamp it for a couple days while it fully cures.

 

[four.cycle]

I don't have a clue.
I do know where you can find a replacement:

home Earthwise

Salvage Services and Reclaimed Material Welcome! We’re the PNW’s leading source for salvaged, reused, reclaimed, and vintage goods. Our retail warehouses are filled with both vintage and new doors, windows, lighting, hardware, and lumber. We also offer diverse architectural antiques including...

ewsalvage.com

I'm sure there are more than likely places similar nearer to you.

 

[RTM]

I don't but will try to locate the knob tonight and take a picture. I know I have it but couldn't find it the other night when I took the other pictures.

Pix of the inside of the other piece would be good.

 

[MushCreek]

Either glue it or search ebay for a replacement. Our house has all vintage doors, and I spent months finding enough matching fluted glass door knobs and matching backplates. I was fussy; they sell new replacements, but they don't look the same.