How to Attach Antique Porcelain Door Knobs

Determine the Proper Installation Method

• 1

  Antique doorknobs either require a mortise or rim lock installation. If your doorknob has a thin rectangular metal plate attached, you have a mortise lock doorknob. If there is no rectangular plate, it’s a knob and rim style.

• 2

  Follow procedures in the “Mortise Lock” for doorknobs with mortise casing plates.

• 3

  Skip to instructions for “Rim Lock” installation and proceed accordingly.

Installing a Mortise Lock

• 4

  Open the door and examine the edge for the door latch. If you have an older door, it might already have what is called a mortise casing opening. This will look like a thin opening along the edge that resembles a wedge that has been chiseled out of the wood. If there is no opening, you will need to make a mortise casing opening. Follow Steps 2 through 7 to create a new opening and to made adjustments to existing openings.

• 5

  Use a screwdriver to remove the doorknob pieces, including the spindle rod, casing plate and hardware. Take the casing plate and center it along the existing opening. Use a pencil to mark the top and bottom points of the casing on the door.

• 6

  Take a tape measurer and add 1/8-inch more to the markings. Use this mark and draw horizontal lines.

• 7

  Draw a vertical line in the center, between the horizontal lines, to use as a drilling guide for creating the casing opening. Drill a hole every inch along the vertical line about 1-inch deep. Use a chisel to remove enough wood for the casing to slide through the opening.

• 8

  Add more drill holes and drill deeper than one inch if the size of your casing requires doing so. Test the opening as you drill and chisel with the casing plate until you can easily slide the casing plate into the opening.

• 9

  Hold the lock against the front of the door along the casing opening. Trace the center for the doorknob spindle and keyhole with a pencil and fill in the trace line. Use a drill to remove wood, following your tracing.

• 10

  Insert the mortise lock through the casing opening. Slide the spindle rod through the spindle opening. Glide the faceplate through the spindle and screw the faceplate to the door. Screw the porcelain doorknob onto the spindle to complete your mortise lock installation.

Rim Lock Installation

• 11

  Remove any existing knobs and hardware. Place the antique porcelain doorknob flush against the side of the door. Mark spots on the front of the door for the spindle and keyhole. Use a tape measure to make sure your marks are in the right place.

• 12

  Drill through the door to create the openings for the spindle and keyhole. Use a chisel, if needed, to assist in removing the wood for the holes and openings.

• 13

  Screw the lock plate piece to the door. Insert the spindle rod through the opening. Screw the doorknob onto the spindle to complete your rim lock installation for the antique porcelain doorknob.