2009 - Out with the Old and In with the NEW!

There comes a time in each person's life, when you have to get rid of the old and install the new. Being known as a very non mechanical person, I have to admit that I have pleasantly surprised myself this week. Periodically, I take an inventory of what needs to be done in my house, and then I rank the items in order of importance. As a year long goal, I have decided that I need to replace each and every door knob in my home before 2010. I calculated the approximate cost of calling the handyman and having him replace the knobs. At $30 and hour, before supplies, I estimated that for him to replace all the door knobs in my house, I would pay him, conservatively, over $300. Ouch! Add in the cost of the knobs, and I could practically buy a new torch set up and oxygen concentrator. Almost, but not quite. So, I thought, what was the worst I could do? My guess was ruin a door and/or discover I really couldn't change a door knob. This is pretty much what each door knob in my house looks like. I think they are all originals, and my house is about 35 years old. It's time for a change. Out with the old and in with the new.
The trip to Menard's proved fruitful. I bought 2 closet/bathroom door knobs. Then, I came home and began my work. I searched the internet before I started on the ways to remove an old door knob and the way to replace a new one. I didn't have to drill any holes in my doors, I just had to take off the old knob and put in the new one. Seems easy enough to me. I found the drill that I could use with screwdriver bits. Did you know these drills are reversible? I found that out after I pulled out the manual screw drivers. One little switch was all it took. The hard part was taking out the plate on the side of the door. It took a while. Those plates have been in there for a long time! I'm also glad that I researched this task on the internet. The directions that came with the door knobs were written in 3 languages, and they were very hard to understand. The directions ran into each other, so I was trying to rely on the pictures. The only problem was, the pictures were for a different type of knob. Oh, well. An hour later, I had installed not one door knob, but two brand new door knobs. They work, too! I was so proud of myself. The only problem that I encountered was that there was the same piece left over from both door knobs. I couldn't figure out where it went. I still don't know, but, if they knobs work and turn and fit, I'm okay with it. Take a look at my new door knobs! I'm so proud!


















What a difference, and no ruined doors! I was so happy with my work that, today, I went back to Menards and bought 3 more door knobs! This time, they were the kind you use in the bedroom and bathroom, and they have locks! This should be fun. I just hope I don't have any left over pieces. Oh, well, if they work, who cares?