I have an old villa in NZ, built 1877 with native hard woods. The doors have shifted out of alignment gradually over time. 'Reason #1' - excellent trick. I did this, but instead of a playing card, used a plastic chinese takeaway container lid and cut 2 x rectangles to fit the hinge cavity. Perfect! I also had another door where the latch didn't quite go into the receiving hole fully on the catch plate, and again you have the answer for that right here. Also fixed by adjusting the horizontal placement as shown. I appreciate you get straight to the point and don't waste any time offering tutition. Your videos here have been invaluable. I have subscribed. Thank you!
Three playing cards cut in half (6 halves) shimming the bottom door hinge was enough to swing the latch up and towards the hole. Cheapest fix ever! Thank you!
Thank you for the inspiration to go and fix my kitchen door latch position, it took less than 10 mins - only been here for 21 years. The door now closes with the lightest of touches instead of my body weight behind it.
This is exactly what I needed to show my husband! he keeps blaming me for not closing the door hard enough. I knew the doors shouldn't be pushed hard to latch! I'll adjust the sloppy latch myself! Thank you for the great tutorial video!
Thank you for sharing this vid. When a customer calls me to help with an ill fitting door, my first step is to make certain that all of the hinge and latch screws are tight. It isn't uncommon to have the screws in the upper hinge loosen, allowing the door to sag, which in turn causes the latch be too low for the hole. For a door that needs to move about an 1/8th of an inch or less, to the left or right, I have a tool that allows me to bend the knuckles of the door hinge. This is a fast and easy way to create a perfect fit. I have two cordless Dremel tools that I use in my door work, both of them refurbished models purchased online.
Love the way you explain why you do something or why you don't. Also enjoy learning how you solve problems and your tips and tricks for D. I. Y. alone. Helped me a lot, Thanks from Australia 😊🇦🇺👍
Wow! Great video. I have actually moved strike plates before and have come across the necessity to move the screw hole, but always found it to be a challenge to move the screw correctly for the plate. Your method of using match sticks to fill the holes is GENIUS! I will always know how to do this correctly now! Thanks so much for showing this!
The matchsticks is the key for me. In a ten year old new build, I've had to shift the plate by a single mm a few times. Creating a new screw hole has always been the tricky part. Thank you.
Nice video on simple home fix! Just like to share that those disposable bamboo (sometimes wooden) chopsticks that come with chinese or japanese take-outs are useful for plugging such holes. Even as concrete hole filler. Matchsticks aren't very common at home these days.
Thank you so much for helping a person who has less knowledge of the subject matter, than Hannibal had of embroidery. In contrast I just 'tried' to watch a video about removing sludge from radiators an excellent plumber ,but someone must have told him when he was 2 years old that he was funny and I hold that person responsible for the 'humour' on the video that took away from the matter in hand and made me switch of after only a minute . Thanks again you helped me a lot. Max
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips. I like the idea of using the kid's playing cards for shims behind the hinges. But if the kids balk at sacrificing their playing cards, old expired credit cards should do about the same job. So, I usually don't throw away old credit cards; they are useful for shimming, spreading putty or caulk, or mixing epoxy, for examples.
Thank you so much for this handy video, the doors in our house are bespoke, so I was having trouble procuring a new door. Your easy to follow video really saved my skin
The masking tape is great but instead of using a pencil i put some of my wifes old lipstick on the latch to show exactly where the latch is relative to the striker plate. Great video!
Thank you for your excellent video. It was simple to understand and, following your recommendations, I was able to fix a kitchen door that suddenly refused to lock (I had to move the strike plate forward). I have no doubt your video saved me a tremendous amount of time and eliminated a lot of frustration.
brilliant video. exactly what I was looking for. I've fitted 1.5mm weather stripping to my door and it wouldn't latch. I knew the solution was to move the striking plate, just wanted to see someone do it to confirm my thoughts. thank you sir, your video was helpful with all the tips, much appreciated
Excellent video sir! I used your techniques today to correct renters door. Masking tape and marking and taping and checking correct was terriffic. So much more accuracy than where I was formerly heading in this project. Thank you.
The matchsticks to fill the previous holes is a great idea I always had problems with the new position reverting to old position. I also liked the masking tape idea to test before permanent fix. Great video.
Thanks for more good tips. I struck lucky a while ago when needing to move hinge holes. I found in B&M “Bamboo Paddle Skewers”. They are used for Barbeques and kebabs. They are thicker than matches and are pointed. So I used a bradawl to gauge the depth of the hole and cut a piece to suit. I’ve seen them online and are available in different lengths. But the ones I have serve as paint stirrers after the point has been cut and used.
Thank you, great tips. Match sticks are popular in Europe but in the states not so much. I grabbed a wooden paint brush stick and trimmed down a peace to resemble the match stick. Worked like a charm and my new screw hole did not cross over back to the old. New Sub, Thank you again...
Great info as I didn't consider refilling the holes, which wil cure the problem I have with my bathroom door. And don't get me started on conservatory doors that expand when the sun shines.
I had to replace some weather stripping around a door to our garage. The weather stripping was thicker than what was present before, therefore, the deadbolt would not lock without a lot of pressure. Moving the striker plate in a few mm per your instructions did the trick! Thanks from new subscriber
My bedroom door has been driving me nuts since my husband and I moved into our house. We have zero privacy; the dog can bust through the door whenever he likes because the door won’t latch. I’ve finagled the strike plate before, but I don’t know why I never thought to move it up or down. It is, in fact, an old home, and things have in fact, sagged. That is to say, my door now latches. Thank you so much. I can now do projects, or read, or whatever else, in peace, when I want to.
Thank you. Great video. I like your detailing every aspect of why the latch will not fit and the the way you explained, for people like me, on how to fix it without the use of expensive tools. Keep up the good work.
A well produced video. As time goes on doors can move up and down relative to the strike plate. I cannot understand why strike plates and their openings are not made a little bit longer. This simple change could save a lot of messy adjustments later on.
Hi Pinball, Mrs. P and Elliott from Welbots! I am from Wisconsin and my favorite 80's bands include, Journey, Pink Floyd, Blondie, and ZZ Top to name a few.
Love your delightful and very helpful video. Insane Camaro Driver said it right. I just watched video B4 you & the guy was chatty Cathy and gave lousy info. You are the bomb. I am a single woman trying to save money by doing things on my own. I think you saved me. Thanks so much!
HI Another great video that is clear and correct. For people with no playing cars you can use washers or even those O rings to shim out hinged, or even a few wrapings of masking tape or electrical tape On difficult doors, i take out the striker plate completely and see does it latch at all without it as one of the first trouble shooting. Now the striker plate has on the inside a angled plate, i dont know its real reason but i am guessing it is if you mount the plate to far forward, as you can bend that plate backwards to take up slack - as if the door rattles when closed - some say it is to assist the striker plate sliding when the door is slammed and the hand grip not turned fully
Absolutely spot on! After watching your video, I solved the struggle I had with a super tight dead bolt. If the King were a do-it-youselfer, you would be at least an MBE! Thank you kind sir.
Thanks, I am not a handy man, so these tips are brilliant. It’s great to see how people do things like this, I would never have known. Every door in my house needs some sort of adjustment. Thanks again
Well I wondered what that plastic was for, know I know and will need to go around and insert them in the ones I’ve just chiselled out. Great presentation as always. A joy to watch. Thanks.
Wow great idea 💡 👍 today I installed Brink door 🚪 lock, new models look just can't get it to latch, but I say this video, tomorrow I will adjust it again thanks
I Appreciate the time taken to do this step by step video for what is a common problem.. I've got a couple of doors that need this attention...many thanks for the upload.
Thank you. This was very helpful. An old door that never quite closed is not functioning as it should! The only person not happy about this is our cat, who escapes through this door regularly.
Really, really helpful video - thanks. I used the packing technique to move a whole door across so that it would ‘catch’ and on another I packed just the top hinge to prevent some rubbing / difficult closing at the top of the door.
Do these tips apply to both internal and external doors? My front door has just stopped latching/locking, looks like it is sagging a bit as there is a gap in the top right hand corner of the door.
Do appreciate when people share their vast knowledge, sometimes due to economic downfall you are forced to do as much as you can for yourself, otherwise to do love having a good handyman and supporting a local chap. Or gal, but so far never seen a female handyman.
I avoid anything oil for lock mechanism, using instead graphite, doesn’t gum up, no aerosol, one third of the cost. Shims are effective for backplate. I use the box from a pound of kbutter. It’s moisture proof, easily cut and can be doubled. I keep a chapstick, no label so it’s identified as toolbox use. Use it on hinges. No drippy oil, avoid aerosols. Good video, keep them coming.
I kept thinking, 'he's going to do the matchstick thing' , very chuffed when you did. It's a favourite of mine & the only reason we have matchsticks These days.
I love how he didn't spend 5-10 minutes talking about random shit or drawing out the conversation like many other DIY vids. This guy is awesome!
Exactly. This isn't a talk show - just show me the goods!!
Thank you, very helpful and you covered everything I was wondering about!
Why can't all DIY videos be as effective, helpful and enjoyable as yours? Always a pleasure. Looking forward to the next one.
Glad you like them!
Just watched these tips. No nonsense, no waffle, no promoting, no inane talking....just straight to the job. I've subscribed !!
I have an old villa in NZ, built 1877 with native hard woods. The doors have shifted out of alignment gradually over time.
'Reason #1' - excellent trick. I did this, but instead of a playing card, used a plastic chinese takeaway container lid and cut 2 x rectangles to fit the hinge cavity. Perfect! I also had another door where the latch didn't quite go into the receiving hole fully on the catch plate, and again you have the answer for that right here. Also fixed by adjusting the horizontal placement as shown.
I appreciate you get straight to the point and don't waste any time offering tutition. Your videos here have been invaluable. I have subscribed. Thank you!
Awesome quality, good English accent (I'm French and I can understand without subtitles!), good audio quality, good well-explained content... Top!
Bonjour
Three playing cards cut in half (6 halves) shimming the bottom door hinge was enough to swing the latch up and towards the hole. Cheapest fix ever! Thank you!
Best DIY video I've seen with regard to this subject . Clear and to the point with clear examples.
Thank you for the inspiration to go and fix my kitchen door latch position, it took less than 10 mins - only been here for 21 years. The door now closes with the lightest of touches instead of my body weight behind it.
What a informative and down to earth guy who knows exactly what needs/can be down to fix something without too much trouble - cheers proper DIY guy.
This is exactly what I needed to show my husband! he keeps blaming me for not closing the door hard enough. I knew the doors shouldn't be pushed hard to latch! I'll adjust the sloppy latch myself! Thank you for the great tutorial video!
Once you’ve adjusted the sloppy latch might as well fix the door. Good luck.
Used the playing cards on the hinge and it fixed it right up! Thank you! Great instruction.
Thank you for sharing this vid. When a customer calls me to help with an ill fitting door, my first step is to make certain that all of the hinge and latch screws are tight. It isn't uncommon to have the screws in the upper hinge loosen, allowing the door to sag, which in turn causes the latch be too low for the hole. For a door that needs to move about an 1/8th of an inch or less, to the left or right, I have a tool that allows me to bend the knuckles of the door hinge. This is a fast and easy way to create a perfect fit. I have two cordless Dremel tools that I use in my door work, both of them refurbished models purchased online.
Recently discovered your channel and it has been the best find on TH-cam in years!
Good job of expressing yourself with the proper vocabulary. Thanks!
Just the proper detail and excellent camera work. Perfect in every way. So helpful. Thanks!!
Love the way you explain why you do something or why you don't. Also enjoy learning how you solve problems and your tips and tricks for D. I. Y. alone. Helped me a lot, Thanks from Australia 😊🇦🇺👍
Glad you like them! Proper DIY welcomes those from Oz.
Wow! Great video. I have actually moved strike plates before and have come across the necessity to move the screw hole, but always found it to be a challenge to move the screw correctly for the plate. Your method of using match sticks to fill the holes is GENIUS! I will always know how to do this correctly now! Thanks so much for showing this!
Bamboo skewers and wire cutters to cut the skewers after filling the holes.
I suppose toothpicks can also serve the same purpose.
@@PRenard2012 Bamboo skewers are also very tough and handy for so many things. I use them when I mix up small amounts of epoxy.
Bravo. Thanks to you I’m a DIY hero. Had to show my wife the video so she knows who deserves the real credit.
The matchsticks is the key for me. In a ten year old new build, I've had to shift the plate by a single mm a few times. Creating a new screw hole has always been the tricky part. Thank you.
Nice video on simple home fix!
Just like to share that those disposable bamboo (sometimes wooden) chopsticks that come with chinese or japanese take-outs are useful for plugging such holes. Even as concrete hole filler. Matchsticks aren't very common at home these days.
Thanks.
Good point, we only have gas lighters in our house but we DO have unused chopsticks (even in Ireland) 🙂, good tip, thanks.
Thank you so much for helping a person who has less knowledge of the subject matter, than Hannibal had of embroidery. In contrast I just 'tried' to watch a video about removing sludge from radiators an excellent plumber ,but someone must have told him when he was 2 years old that he was funny and I hold that person responsible for the 'humour' on the video that took away from the matter in hand and made me switch of after only a minute . Thanks again you helped me a lot.
Max
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips. I like the idea of using the kid's playing cards for shims behind the hinges. But if the kids balk at sacrificing their playing cards, old expired credit cards should do about the same job. So, I usually don't throw away old credit cards; they are useful for shimming, spreading putty or caulk, or mixing epoxy, for examples.
I resorted to paper plates! Thank you, solved my problem
Thank you so much for this handy video, the doors in our house are bespoke, so I was having trouble procuring a new door. Your easy to follow video really saved my skin
No messing about and such a genuine guy. Wish everyone else took a leaf from your book. Thanks.
It’s a shame people are not all exactly the same
Brilliant - practical wisdom delivered efficiently. Thank you.
The masking tape is great but instead of using a pencil i put some of my wifes old lipstick on the latch to show exactly where the latch is relative to the striker plate. Great video!
Thank you for your excellent video. It was simple to understand and, following your recommendations, I was able to fix a kitchen door that suddenly refused to lock (I had to move the strike plate forward). I have no doubt your video saved me a tremendous amount of time and eliminated a lot of frustration.
brilliant video. exactly what I was looking for. I've fitted 1.5mm weather stripping to my door and it wouldn't latch. I knew the solution was to move the striking plate, just wanted to see someone do it to confirm my thoughts. thank you sir, your video was helpful with all the tips, much appreciated
Excellent video sir! I used your techniques today to correct renters door. Masking tape and marking and taping and checking correct was terriffic. So much more accuracy than where I was formerly heading in this project. Thank you.
This person didn't solve my doorknob problem but I watched the whole video because his voice is so soothing.
@9:10 - All you need now is to clean up the gap in the trim and CAULK, prior to reinstalling the strike plate.
The matchsticks to fill the previous holes is a great idea I always had problems with the new position reverting to old position. I also liked the masking tape idea to test before permanent fix. Great video.
Glad it was helpful!
Super clear instructions. Fixed my door problem! 10/10
Thanks for more good tips. I struck lucky a while ago when needing to move hinge holes. I found in B&M “Bamboo Paddle Skewers”. They are used for Barbeques and kebabs. They are thicker than matches and are pointed. So I used a bradawl to gauge the depth of the hole and cut a piece to suit. I’ve seen them online and are available in different lengths. But the ones I have serve as paint stirrers after the point has been cut and used.
My garage door has been annoying since moving in. Thought it had to be refitted, thanks for uploading this
Awesome geezer, thanks a bunch from an expat living in Australia. Rigging and steel no worries, carpentry I'm cactus. You explained that really well.
Thank you, great tips. Match sticks are popular in Europe but in the states not so much. I grabbed a wooden paint brush stick and trimmed down a peace to resemble the match stick. Worked like a charm and my new screw hole did not cross over back to the old. New Sub, Thank you again...
Thanks for making videos full of information and not 3 minutes of chat before you get on with it. Good job!
Great rips!! I grabbed some recycled cardboard rather than playing cards. It worked perfectly! Thank you so much👍
Great info as I didn't consider refilling the holes, which wil cure the problem I have with my bathroom door. And don't get me started on conservatory doors that expand when the sun shines.
My door needs to be realigned just a little bit, but filing worked pretty well. Fixed it real quick. Thanks.
I had to replace some weather stripping around a door to our garage. The weather stripping was thicker than what was present before, therefore, the deadbolt would not lock without a lot of pressure. Moving the striker plate in a few mm per your instructions did the trick! Thanks from new subscriber
Shame… I have every size, color and thickness of weatherstripping in my door shop. Idve simply sold you narrow or medium reach stripping.
My bedroom door has been driving me nuts since my husband and I moved into our house. We have zero privacy; the dog can bust through the door whenever he likes because the door won’t latch. I’ve finagled the strike plate before, but I don’t know why I never thought to move it up or down. It is, in fact, an old home, and things have in fact, sagged. That is to say, my door now latches. Thank you so much. I can now do projects, or read, or whatever else, in peace, when I want to.
This got me out of a real headache of a repair, thanks so much!
Thank you. Great video. I like your detailing every aspect of why the latch will not fit and the the way you explained, for people like me, on how to fix it without the use of expensive tools. Keep up the good work.
Great video! My bathroom door seems to rub on the floor and sticks..must try the card trick and see if that works.
A well produced video.
As time goes on doors can move up and down relative to the strike plate. I cannot understand why strike plates and their openings are not made a little bit longer. This simple change could save a lot of messy adjustments later on.
Hi Pinball, Mrs. P and Elliott from Welbots! I am from Wisconsin and my favorite 80's bands include, Journey, Pink Floyd, Blondie, and ZZ Top to name a few.
Thank you so much I watch a few videos and looks like yours might be the one that I could establish the whole process elect quicker
The playing card trick worked like a champ. Thanks for including that one.
No problem
Love your delightful and very helpful video. Insane Camaro Driver said it right. I just watched video B4 you & the guy was chatty Cathy and gave lousy info. You are the bomb. I am a single woman trying to save money by doing things on my own. I think you saved me. Thanks so much!
My favourite DIY channel. I pick up transferable tips from all of the videos even if I’m not going to be doing that project.
Awesome! Thank you! That is exactly what I hope for - tips that will come in useful even on other projects
Excellent video. Would have liked to have seen the door fitted after the playing cards "fitting" was finished.
HI
Another great video that is clear and correct.
For people with no playing cars you can use washers or even those O rings to shim out hinged, or even a few wrapings of masking tape or electrical tape
On difficult doors, i take out the striker plate completely and see does it latch at all without it as one of the first trouble shooting.
Now the striker plate has on the inside a angled plate, i dont know its real reason but i am guessing it is if you mount the plate to far forward, as you can bend that plate backwards to take up slack - as if the door rattles when closed - some say it is to assist the striker plate sliding when the door is slammed and the hand grip not turned fully
Matchstick trick -genius! I use to use wood filler, which took ages, and not always successful...
,I was just about to shutdown when I saw this. My front door won't latch. I will be using this information to fix it tomorrow. Thanx!
That was so helpful and clear. Now I'm checking out the rest of your channel!
Saved me from going to Wickes and getting 6'x1.5" beading and getting ready to hammer and chisel, thank goodness for your channel
Absolutely spot on! After watching your video, I solved the struggle I had with a super tight dead bolt. If the King were a do-it-youselfer, you would be at least an MBE! Thank you kind sir.
Thank You
Thanks, I am not a handy man, so these tips are brilliant. It’s great to see how people do things like this, I would never have known. Every door in my house needs some sort of adjustment. Thanks again
No problem. Sounds like you're going to be busy
Great video! I used bamboo skewers to fill the screw holes, worked great!
Just became my go-to site for when I'm stuck ... really like your delivery, thank you 👍
Glad to help!
You have no idea how much your video helped me look like a genius with my girl! Thank you sir!!!
Glad to help
The match trick is what I've been missing. Thank you!
You amaze me Brother! Thanks! My hat is off to you!
Great tips. I’m surprised you needed a drill on soft wood to start the pilot holes. Thanks for posting 👍
Great video! WD-40 and Philips head screw driver did the trick. Took 20 Seconds to fix. 😊
Well I wondered what that plastic was for, know I know and will need to go around and insert them in the ones I’ve just chiselled out. Great presentation as always. A joy to watch. Thanks.
Glad I could help!
Thank you, the strike plate is always my weakest point, I'm getting better all the time, but good to see how I can remedy those other doors
Wow great idea 💡 👍 today I installed Brink door 🚪 lock, new models look just can't get it to latch, but I say this video, tomorrow I will adjust it again thanks
Nice one!
Great step-by-step diagnosis and repair!
Revisited this, Stuart. Just what I need right now. Thank you.
How I wish someone like you lived next door..But, I guess I'll have to settle for DIY videos..😄 Ive learned a lot, so thanks to youtube!! 👍🏽
Another good video. Living in an old house lots of my doors need a little tweak. Your info helps a lot. Many thanks.
No problem
Learnt some good techniques in this video. It will certainly make me less bull in a China shop when adjusting hinges and latches. Thanks 😊
Glad you found it useful
Simply the best DIY guy ever!!
Wow! That was great! Going to try in the morning.
I Appreciate the time taken to do this step by step video for what is a common problem.. I've got a couple of doors that need this attention...many thanks for the upload.
You're welcome!
Thank you. This was very helpful. An old door that never quite closed is not functioning as it should!
The only person not happy about this is our cat, who escapes through this door regularly.
Excellent instructional video and ideas!
Simply genius. The best type of genius!
Thank you
Match sticks and playing cards, what a genius! Thanks for sharing. Love the content!
Thanks
Thanks for the card help. It was the right one for my project
No problem
Excellent video. Straight to the point.
Really, really helpful video - thanks. I used the packing technique to move a whole door across so that it would ‘catch’ and on another I packed just the top hinge to prevent some rubbing / difficult closing at the top of the door.
I'm glad it helped
Excellent video, the best among similar diy on the door latch issue. Thanks!
A very well explained video, that just may fix an annoying problem I have with a door? Thank you. Subscribed 👍🏻
Picked up many useful tips - even those not directly relating to doors. Many thanks.
No problem
Do these tips apply to both internal and external doors? My front door has just stopped latching/locking, looks like it is sagging a bit as there is a gap in the top right hand corner of the door.
Do appreciate when people share their vast knowledge, sometimes due to economic downfall you are forced to do as much as you can for yourself, otherwise to do love having a good handyman and supporting a local chap. Or gal, but so far never seen a female handyman.
That was so helpful, many thanks for making the video, it was greatly appreciated.
I avoid anything oil for lock mechanism, using instead graphite, doesn’t gum up, no aerosol, one third of the cost.
Shims are effective for backplate. I use the box from a pound of kbutter. It’s moisture proof, easily cut and can be doubled.
I keep a chapstick, no label so it’s identified as toolbox use. Use it on hinges. No drippy oil, avoid aerosols.
Good video, keep them coming.
What about using golf tees?
If hole is too small, would drill a bit larger for golf tees
But match sticks work nice too
This was so helpful. Thank you so much!!😁. I finally managed to fix the door
I kept thinking, 'he's going to do the matchstick thing' , very chuffed when you did. It's a favourite of mine & the only reason we have matchsticks These days.
Nice one!
Great job. Thank you for the time and effort you took to make this video and share it with us. Greetings from Croatia.
Thank you very much! Nice to see you watching from Croatia.
I wish I was a carpenter instead of an EMT! Randomly come across your video and I loved it!
Glad you liked it!
what a great video! man, you detailed everything perfectly! well done, mate!!!
The last part is my issue, the match stick is good idea if one has match sticks, but I can make a match stick. Good video.......
Good one. Not sure what to do with warped doors. My doors are a bit out of shape and struggle to shut.