Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Screendoor Latch Release (hack of another hack)

August 19, 2018, 03:15:12 pm

My apologies to whoever it was that gave me the initial idea about the screendoor latch hack.  I tried to find the inspiration on the Wade and Companion sites, to no avail.  But, thank you to that person(s) for the idea.  So, I hacked their hack of the control latch for opening the screendoor from inside without the need to open the sliding plastic panel and bending down to release the screendoor. I basically copied their idea, but added in an auxillary return spring to take excess load off the integral latch spring.  The whole project too about 20 minutes.  Works great!

I'm one of those guys that drives my wife crazy.  I don't throw out little parts and pieces of old tools, appliances, machinery, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.  So, I have trays full of springs, gears, bushings, bearings, etc. that I know that "I just might need someday".  Well, one of those "somedays" was a few days ago when I used an old file cabinet divider rod (with affixed knob), a couple of compression springs, plastic bushing, and washers to make the following depicted in the photos.  Thanks again to initial poster.

Re: Screendoor Latch Release (hack of another hack)

Reply #2 – August 19, 2018, 08:06:51 pm

Yup... I installed our "Andy Special" last year, using a bicycle spoke. It's possibly the best modification ever!

I noticed that the return spring that comes in the latch seems too strong, the result of which is that the latch seems to break easily. To fix that, I disassembled the latch body and substituted a softer spring. It turns out that the spring from an ink pen works well. Consider that my little contribution to the design optimization process.

It amazes me sometimes how tickled I can get with the smallest improvements.

Mark H