Marvin door split spindle

A contractor working at my house broke the handle of my Marvin French Door. He has the information to get a replacement split spindle but does not know when I will get it. In the meantime I have installed a knob set that allows me to operate the latch.


Left ends of slit spindle broken.

Temporary knob that SWMBO says looks like a clown's nose.

The dimensions of the spindle are 7/16 x 7/16 x 4-7/16 inches. Can I use a standard spindle that has those dimensions temporarily with the lever handles? I do not see the purpose of the grooves on the interior of the split spindle. The lever handles fasten with recessed allen head set screws.

 

I think the grooves are what the set screws are supposed to tighten against.

 

Maybe, but the grooves were inside when the 2 halves were together. I think the dents in the sides are from the set screws. This diagram shows the set screws going to the split side. There is nothing inside the handles that would go into the grooves either. They just created a weak spot where the break occurred.

 

I am hoping ThisOldMan or rstripe can comment on this so I am holding off trying it for now.

 

Can't tell from the picture, I'm on my phone, whether on not the "groove" in the spindle goes all the way through at the ends. I would say the setscrew in the lever is supposed to sit in the groove and force the remaining "legs" of the spindle apart.

 

Just a shot in the dark, not familiar with the brand or that particular spindle, and the photo is not too sharp, but it would appear that the set screw should go between the large split ends, rather than on the side where, as you indicate, the thin edge has caved in somewhat. The idea with split spindles (and various styles have been tried over the last 150 years) is to create a tight bond with the knob/lever, over what was achieved with a plain solid spindle. The set screw is supposed to spread the spindle tightly against the walls of the square hole in the knob/lever. Plain solid spindles often have a groove for the matching point of the set screw to engage, but split spindle designs usually work better.

To your question, you might be able to customize a replacement solid spindle by drilling a deep depression exactly where the set screw impinges on the spindle, and using a longer that normal set screw, but it's tough to get the dimensions just right. If your temporary knobs are working ok, I'd let it go as is until proper replacements arrive.

 

In the photo the 2 halves of the two-piece spindle are lying on their outside surfaces. The grooves at top and bottom face each other on the inside when the spindle pieces are in the handle. The breaks are where the grooves end on the upper part. I placed them in their original position for the photo. I should have separated them to show the break better.

The parts diagram link in post #3 shows the set screws landing on the joint of the 2 pieces and dents seen in the photo confirms that. Maybe the grooves are just to provide a weaker point for the screws to compress.

My question is whether a “standard” spindle of proper size could be substituted for the 2-piece spindle. I could drill some dimples into a solid spindle to accommodate the set screws.

What do you think?

Edit: Only saw rstripe’s reply after posting this.
Thanks.

 

If the tip of the setscrew is pointed, it shouldn't take much more than dimples in the spindle. If it's knurled (see below), just deep enough for the knurls to grab.. In either case, the top of the setscrew should end up flush with the surface of the lever.