[jmiza]

Not a handyman here, so here goes...

I took a swinging door off the family restaurant/bar to sand it down and repaint it, as it was getting very gross. It seemed easy enough to take down, just six screws, right? Well the three screws that held each hinge to the door were holding a hinge that had the force of a rat trap...no...tiger trap! Once I got to the final screw and began loosening it, the hinge snapped shut, destroying the screw. With the help of a couple others, we removed the screw. But as far as putting the door back up (probably Thursday or so) I am worried. The piece/plate with the three holes in it (where the screws will go through and into the side of the door) is resting on the hinge body. I've tried putting a thin blade in between to pull out that plate (shown by the red arrow) but the force is pretty great. Is there an easy (or easIER) way to pull this plate out when the time comes to put the door back on? Or am I going to have to find some thin blade strong enough to pry it up and then use my scrawny fingers to hold it back while someone else screws the door in?

I've attached a photo...it may or may not make this any clearer!

 

[joecaption]

See all the holes in the top of the barrel of the hinge? One of them has a pin in it.
Your were suppost to use a small metal rod to turn the shaft just enough to take the tention off on the pin to remove it and slowly turn the hinge step by step to unwind the spring inside the hinge.
http://www.doorware.com/specials/help-center/install-double-spring-hinge.cfm

 

[jmiza]

Okay...well I definitely screwed that up Anybody have any tips on how to fix this? What would be thin enough, but strong enough, to lift that plate back up?

 

[joecaption]

Roll or dowl pin, socket head cap screw.

 

[jmiza]

Thanks much! As a complete newbie to tools I've never even heard of those. I will be googling all that, and if anyone wants to chime in on more info, I'd appreciate it

 

[DexterII]

A stop at your local independent hardware store should get you going again.

 

[Duckweather]

Try an allen wrench that will fit the hole. They are hardened or tempered and should be strong enough. Or cut the head off a finish nail that fits.

 

[joecaption]

Allen wrench may work but a nail will just bend, been there done that.

 

[Duckweather]

Thanks Joe, I never really tried a nail. I used to save the little rod they sent with them so I would have the right one.

 

[jmiza]

Okay, so I will take a small allen wrench or dowl pin and turn left (CCW) to loosen, then remove the pin with some needle-nose pliers, then continue to turn left bit by bit until the tension is relieved. If I got this right, let me know, as I will give it a try. I found this video on youtube which seems to show the process (well, a similar process anyways):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f4cWHa6pD0

I'd just have to turn the other way (he was tightening, while I want to loosen).

 

[jmiza]

Wait...I just read this:

"When the adjustment mechanism is on top of the hinge, turn the mechanism to the left to increase tension and to the right to decrease it. For mechanisms installed on the bottom of the hinge, turn the mechanism to the right to increase tension and to the left to decrease it."

So I suppose I am turning to the right?

 

[Duckweather]

You want to insert the rod into a hole on the opposite side from the pin turn away from the pin until the pin is loose, it should only be finger tight, remove the pin and turn the rod toward the pin, releasing tension until you have one hole left between the rod and hinge body. reinsert the pin and slowly turn until pin stops. Repeat this process until no tension is left. Once the hinge and door are reinstalled the process is reversed to re tension the hinge.

 

[Gary in WA]

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...BiMfb3&sig=AHIEtbQf9UhDw4_bgnLdV6u9pHcqz1Tcqg

Gary