What can you tell me about this sort of door hinge

[masraum]

Our house is about 100 years old. It's all wood and was made by the original inhabitants. I think they made it in 1920 or 1924, and lived here until somewhere between 1960-1965. I suspect it was empty until around 1990 when some folks came in and fixed it up, all new wiring, central hvac, new plumbing. But I suspect several/most of the doors and door hinges are probably from the original owners (but maybe not 100 yo).

THe doors are 1 3/8" thick. Every door/doorway in the house is a slightly different size from every other door. We've got 3 doors with hinges like this. One leaf of the hinge is on the door jamb where you'd expect it, but the other leaf is on the inside surface of the door. These are 3" hinges.



Unfortunately, we don't have any of the other original door hardware, but I think everything was rim locks. I assume they were something like this

[dan88911]

Probably easy to hang the finished door on the jam.
And perhaps swings the door farther out from the jam when fully open.

[fintstone]

That is called a half mortise hinge. It is a pretty common type used in that period. It was considered decorative (on the outside of the door) and worked well with the solid wood doors of the period. They are strong (for heavy doors) and easier to place/align with doors not bought with a frame as common today...and no mortise was required on the jamb by the installer in the field.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fintstone

That is called a half mortise hinge. It is a pretty common type used in that period. It was considered decorative (on the outside of the door) and worked well with the solid wood doors of the period. They are strong (for heavy doors) and easier to place/align with doors not bought with a frame as common today...and no mortise was required on the jamb by the installer in the field.

Thanks!

[stevej37]

I have 9 doors and hinges of the same type in my home. Every door is lockable with the same key in the pic.

[masraum]

Very cool!

It's great that you've got so many. That means I know where to get spares!

[stevej37]

^^^ The last time I looked (maybe two years ago) Menards still carried all the hinges and knobs for replacement. They don't look as heavy duty as the originals...but they would work.

(it might have been Home Depot)

[fintstone]

Pretty pricey reproductions new:
https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/3-1-2-inch-brass-half-mortise-door-hinge-with-beveled-surface-leaf-in-antique-by-hand

But if you search for antique hinges on Ebay, there are lots of old ones with patina like these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234830982218

[stevej37]

The only problem that I have with my doors is the door knobs. The set screws don't like to stay in place...no matter how tight they are fastened.
About once a year, the most used ones will start slipping. I use a Phillip's screwdriver with a square shank and attach a wrench to it. Still can't get it to stay.

[jamesnmlaw]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The only problem that I have with my doors is the door knobs. The set screws don't like to stay in place...no matter how tight they are fastened.
About once a year, the most used ones will start slipping. I use a Phillip's screwdriver with a square shank and attach a wrench to it. Still can't get it to stay.

Perhaps a roll pin? It'll never come out. Or, Loctite threadlocker!

[stevej37]

^^^ Threadlocker would do the job....until I need to change the knob!

Not sure how a roll pin would help? It's the threaded shaft through the door that won't allow the set screw to stay put.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The only problem that I have with my doors is the door knobs. The set screws don't like to stay in place...no matter how tight they are fastened.
About once a year, the most used ones will start slipping. I use a Phillip's screwdriver with a square shank and attach a wrench to it. Still can't get it to stay.

One solution is to drill a shallow hole into the spindle (if it only has flats) and cut some threads the size of your screw or get a replacement spindle (spindle kit) with the holes already in place.

https://www.hippohardware.com/products/spindle-kit-20-thread-spindle-2-set-screws-6-washers

[stevej37]

^^^ Those look like an ideal solution to the 'slipping door knob problem'
I will look into them...Thanks!

[Rot 911]

The closet door in my office:

[fintstone]

Nice doors! The hardware is pretty cool and the top piece of door molding is quite impressive! The floor and baseboards are pretty nice too.