You know - like that legendary T.V. guy who can make/fix anything with nothing but a hairpin.
My house was built circa 1890.
Many of the fixtures are original - 125 years old.
A while ago, an original door lock went hawire.
I figured it was busted, so taking it apart couldn't hurt...what the hell, I might even be able to fix it.
Also, I'm rather fond of old things & like to keep them functioning.
A flat spring in the mechanism had broken.
I figured going to a hardware store asking for a spring for an antique lock would result in...
So I laid it aside for the time being.
A few days ago, I figured I might be able to cobble in a spring from a ballpoint pen.
Rummaging through an odds 'n ends bin, I found (are y'all ready for this?)
a...HAIRPIN!
Yes. Really!!
I figured it was just springy enough, and exactly the right size to snip & bend into a suitable flat spring.
VOILA!
Yep.
It fit just like it was custom made for the mechanism...which I guess it was, come to think 'bout it.
As long as it was disassembled, I also oiled up the whole mechanism.
It now works like everything's moving on jeweled bearings...far(!) smoother than it ever did since I've owned it...probably smoother than it has in fifty years.
Maybe a hundred years, even.
Pretty cool, huh?
Mic Guyver
online today!miclee Blog (348)
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Laura!
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