Half a day just to fix a sticky doorknob in my 1800s farmhouse

Bought this place in Goffstown back in 2008, and the front door knob always felt like it was fighting me. Last month I finally decided to take it apart, figured it was a 20 minute job. Turns out the original brass guts were worn down to nothing, and every hardware store in the area only carried modern junk. Ended up driving to three different places over 3 hours before I found a rebuild kit online, then spent another 2 hours cleaning the old parts with vinegar and steel wool. Has anyone else dealt with old door hardware that just won't cooperate, or am I the only one stubborn enough to keep the original stuff?

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sarah22926d ago

My mom's house in Weare had the same issue with the back door lock from the 1920s. Took the whole thing apart on a Saturday morning and found the spring inside was just snapped in half. Ended up using a plain wire coat hanger to make a new spring. Worked fine for three years until we sold the place. The trick is you gotta be willing to Jerry-rig things with stuff you already have around the house. Stick with it though, that original hardware is way better than anything you'll find today.