sliding glass door lock
The switch to lock the door has snapped off, from one of the sliding
glass doors.
Anyone know where to get a replacement for this small
but important item?
thanks
I've given up trying to find OEM parts and being an ex-designer, DIY'd.
Take the lock apart. Take photos if you have the equipement and print out the assembly to help reassemble.
Buy some brass or steel plate. Any hardware store has bar stock of the right thickness.
Take the broken part and lay it (the pieces as if whole and unbroken) on paper to trace the outline or on the bar stock.
File, hack saw or Dremel the part out of the bar stock. Finish file the part and round off any sharpe edges.
Drill the matching holes.
Now you have a replacement part and the trail & error cycles putting it in, working the lock through the motions. Take it apart to file, etc...then reassembly, etc, etc, etc.
Paint it or best use Amsoil Heavy Duty Metal Protectorant. Both corrosion protection and lub.
Done.
This is how they used to make things during the beginings of the industrial revolution. The ones who had "jigs" or "masters" were the ones who were able to mass produce the parts and have a final assembly. Before that, each "thing" was custom and the repairman (usually black smith) just copied whatever broke and hammered/filed/etc it to fit.
If you offer to make'm for others and they pay ya...I get 50%... :)
Nick,
You did not say which brand of sliding door you have. I have the Arcadia aluminum sliding door which are on most Eichlers that I have seen.
You can find parts at:
http://www.aaascreen.com/primeline/PLCatalog-E.pdf
http://www.arcadiaproducts.com/homepage.html
http://www.hawkretrofit.com/patio_door_handles_7.htm
or the A-1 On Track Sliding Door Repair Specialists that advertise here have all the parts and do a great job.
-- Ralph
