Chaco Locksmith Services

Locksmiths have been around for quite some time. Check out this incredible door/lock combo that was designed & installed about 2000+ years ago & still in use today.

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This door is one of the oldest doors in the world located in the Pantheon in Rome, it was built in 118-126 AD, during the time of Emperor Adrian. The gate consists of two wings, each wing is made of solid bronze and weighs 8.5 tonnes, is 7.6 meters high and 2.3 meters wide. Although the wings are extremely heavy, they are so balanced that they can be easily opened and closed by a single person. It’s also one of the few doors in the world whose lock, dating back almost 2000 years ago, still works.

ChacoTip:

Does your wood door have hinge screws, latch screws, deadbolt screws, or strike screws that constantly get loose, that will not tighten but free spin, or that will not stay in the door or door frame (doorjamb) at all? I’ll give definitions below pertaining to doors for anyone reading this that do not know the differences or definitions of strikes, latches, etc.

Here is a simple tip (more to follow) to help make a quick-fix repair to tighten those screws:

The next time you are out and about anywhere near an eatery that uses chop sticks, save your pair of chop sticks and take it with you. These chopsticks will re-seal the holes in the door, allowing you to create a new hole for your loose screws. Where you have a loose or missing screw from a stripped out location, remove the screw if it is loose, push the pointed end of the chop stick into the screw hole (whittle the chop stick thinner to fit in the hole if necessary), then lightly hammer it further in until the chop stick stops. For additional strength, you could add Elmer’s glue in the hole along with the chop stick. Then break off or cut the chop stick even with the edge of the door, strike, or frame. No need to wait for the glue to dry if you used glue and no need to make a super clean cut. Now you can create a new and tight screw hole by screwing the screws back into the sealed-off hole location, being careful to center the screw going directly into the chop stick-sealed hole, and putting firm and constant pressure when tightening/screwing it in. Walla! Presto! Screws are tight and likely some door issues fixed. Oh, be careful not to over tighten or you will re-create the problem all over again.

Definitions:
1. The HINGE connects the door to the door frame. There are usually 2 or 3 hinges that are mortised (fitted) into most door edges.
2. The STRIKE is the metal plate with a hole that is usually mortised into the door or door frame directly opposite of the door k**b, handle, or deadbolt. The strike is there to receive and hold the latch or deadbolt in place when the door is closed.
3. The LATCH is most commonly the spring loaded & angled mechanism that protrudes out of the closing edge of your door. It protrudes into the strike on the door frame when the door is closed to secure the door, and retracts when you turn your k**b, handle, or push down on a thumb lever, depending on the type of door lock you have. There are different types of latches but that will be for a future blog.
4. The DEADBOLT is usually above the k**b or lever (but not always). It is a solid semi round bar (bolt) that protrudes into the door frame & strike when you turn your key from the outside or turn the deadbolt thumb turn or key from the inside (depending on the type of deadbolt lock you have).

If you have any questions on this, feel free to message me. If this post helped you, please share it.