Knob sets are used on passage doors at hallways and closets that don’t require a lock. A typical set consists of a strike mechanism and two knobs. Contemporary sets have integral stems on each knob that interface at the strike, while vintage sets have an independent spindle for attaching the knobs. Pre-hung interior doors are drilled and mortised at the factory, making a knob set relatively easy for a homeowner to install. When replacing a set, simply remove it and install the parts for the new set in the existing holes at the edge and face of the door.
Contemporary Knob Set
Open the door and stabilize it with a doorstop under the outer edge. Position the inner end of the strike with latch mechanism at the hole at the edge of the door. Rotate the strike, as necessary, so the tapered side of the latch faces the direction the door closes. Insert the mechanism fully into the door so the strike plate fits in the mortise at the edge of the door.
Drive each of the provided screws clockwise into the machined holes on the strike plate and into the edge of the door with a screwdriver.
Back out the screws one full turn counterclockwise. This makes it easier to fit the stems of the knobs at the port at the inner portion of the strike mechanism.
Identify the main knob by two rods at the back of the knob that have holes at the ends to accept the bolts. Position the knob at the large hole at one face of the door. Align the rods with the machined ports at the inner portion of the strike that are visible in the hole. Push on the knob and fit the base plate against the face of the door. Done correctly, the ends of the rods extend through the strike and are even with the opposite face of the door.
Position the remaining knob at the opposite face of the door. Rotate the knob, as necessary, and align the machined holes in the base plate with the holes at the ends of the rods at the strike mechanism. Align the stem at the back of the knob with the center port on the strike mechanism. Push on the knob and fit the base plate against the face of the door.
Hold the main knob against the face of the door with one hand. Thread each of the provided bolts into the machined holes on the base plate at the opposite knob. Tighten the bolts with the screwdriver. Tighten the screws at the strike plate securely.
Vintage Knob Set
Open and stabilize the door as in Step 1 and install the strike plate and strike mechanism in the edge of the door. Tighten the screws at the strike plate securely.
Insert one end of the provided square spindle into the port on the inner end of one door knob. Tighten the setscrew at the base of the knob with an Allen key to secure the spindle in the knob.
Slide one of the provided base plates over the end of the spindle and against the base of the knob. Hold the knob with one hand and insert the outer end of the spindle into the square port at the inner portion of the strike mechanism at the face of the door. Push the knob and base plate against the face of the door so the outer end of the spindle is visible at the opposite side of the door.
Fit a base plate against the base of the remaining knob. Fit the square port at the base of the knob onto the end of the spindle and push the knob and base plate against the face of the door. Tighten the setscrew at the base of the knob to secure it to the spindle.
Things You Will Need
- Allen key
- Use a drill and mortise guide to drill and mortise a blank door. The guides and drill bits for the strike and knobs are available at tool stores. Mortise the edge of the door for the strike plate with a router or wood chisel.
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