heavy sprung mortice locks

wallofbeans

Hi All,

I'm dealing with internal door lock issues in my new house. The bathroom lock in particular doesn't work and it seems that the mortice lock (76mm with key) isn't 'heavy sprung' and the door knobs are vintage ones with no spring in them at all. My googling assumption is that I need to replace the lock for a heavy sprung version...

Does that sound right? And if so, where is the best place to get the correct type and a decent brand?

I have a similar issue with some downstairs doors, but they just have latches on them, and finding 'heavy sprung' versions of those seems easier.

It would be great to get advice on a knowledgable online shop that can advise and has these kinds of things in stock. I've tried googling and got lost in a lot of different retailers, none of which seem that legitimate so previous experience would be most helpful.

Or perhaps recommendations of decent locksmiths in south east London!

Thanks all!

 

Norman_Castle

No springs in a mortice lock, do you mean a mortice latch?

I'd start by checking the latches are free from paint then add a bit of wd40.

NSG666

Is it this type of thing you require? Read the description. Not dealt with them but no reason to suspect not legit.

Imperial Locks Mortice Bathroom Lock from £27.15 (tbks.co.uk)

BUFF

Norman_Castle said:

No springs in a mortice lock, do you mean a mortice latch?

There is in a sashlock which many bathroom locks will be.

NSG666 said:

Is it this type of thing you require? Read the description. Not dealt with them but no reason to suspect not legit.

Imperial Locks Mortice Bathroom Lock from £27.15 (tbks.co.uk)

Imperial Locks is a good British brand although not one that most of the general public will know.
A heavy sprung/suitable for use with unsprung handle 3" bathroom lock is not something that many architectural ironmongers would have off the shelf & probably will require special ordering.

wallofbeans

Hi All,

I'm confused about the difference between a mortice lock and mortice latch - but this is what needs replacing in the bathroom door. I need something that will work with old unsprung door knobs. I'd prefer a bathroom type lock instead of a key, but can go with a key if that's the best/ easier option.

wallofbeans

Norman_Castle said:

No springs in a mortice lock, do you mean a mortice latch?

I'd start by checking the latches are free from paint then add a bit of wd40.

I don't know which I mean, but I said there were no springs in the door knobs, not the lock. I think I need a medium or heavy sprung lock and a lightly sprung wont work with unsprung door knobs. I don't know what the current one is, but I know it needs replacing.

wallofbeans

I've found that there seem to be three different types of spring in locks - light, standard or heavy. And confusingly, others call the same three standard, medium and heavy. The lightest seems to be no good with unsprung door knobs, but the middle one should be fine. I'm not sure about the highest one - it might be too much...

wallofbeans

NSG666 said:

Is it this type of thing you require? Read the description. Not dealt with them but no reason to suspect not legit.

Imperial Locks Mortice Bathroom Lock from £27.15 (tbks.co.uk)

This is where I start to get confused. This says "medium sprung to suit sprung level handle furniture" which is not what I have, and then it goes on to say that "heavy duty springing for unsprung lever handle furniture" which seems to make sense.

Although, I don't have 'lever handle furniture' at all, it's all door knobs - but maybe that counts as the same thing. Plus, I've been told by another company that "with mortice knobs you are best going for standard springing otherwise the knobs are to hard to turn" - so they are suggesting not getting heavy duty, but instead standard - by which I assume they mean medium.

It's making my brain hurt...

NSG666

wallofbeans said:

I've found that there seem to be three different types of spring in locks - light, standard or heavy. And confusingly, others call the same three standard, medium and heavy. The lightest seems to be no good with unsprung door knobs, but the middle one should be fine. I'm not sure about the highest one - it might be too much...

You really need to check with the supplier which is suitable for un-sprung handles/knobs. I couldn't remember who I'd bought online from but found an email containing an invoice from TC Fixings who I dealt with last year and they gave good service. I was looking for latches and there are varying dimensions that you need to check before you order so you might be better sending them an email containing the photo of your lock and saying what you need it for and taking it from there.

Mortice Lock Cases (tcfixings.co.uk)

Edit: our posts overlapped - If you tell the vendor exactly what you need it for and they recommend the wrong thing then it would not be 'fit for purpose' and you would be entitled to a full refund inc. postage?

Has the spring gone weak in the existing one or has it never worked properly?
Has the knob gone stiff and just needs lubricating?

You could always buy one from Screwfix or Toolstation if you have one local and see whether a 'standard one' works. 


Edit 2: If the problem is that the latch does not engage when the door is closed, have you tried fitting it without the handles then (make sure you have the handles and spindle with you) closing the door and seeing whether the latch engages? If it doesn't then it would suggest an alignment / adjustment / obstruction rather than a weak spring?

wallofbeans

NSG666 said:

wallofbeans said:

I've found that there seem to be three different types of spring in locks - light, standard or heavy. And confusingly, others call the same three standard, medium and heavy. The lightest seems to be no good with unsprung door knobs, but the middle one should be fine. I'm not sure about the highest one - it might be too much...

You really need to check with the supplier which is suitable for un-sprung handles/knobs. I couldn't remember who I'd bought online from but found an email containing an invoice from TC Fixings who I dealt with last year and they gave good service. I was looking for latches and there are varying dimensions that you need to check before you order so you might be better sending them an email containing the photo of your lock and saying what you need it for and taking it from there.

Mortice Lock Cases (tcfixings.co.uk)

Edit: our posts overlapped - If you tell the vendor exactly what you need it for and they recommend the wrong thing then it would not be 'fit for purpose' and you would be entitled to a full refund inc. postage?

Has the spring gone weak in the existing one or has it never worked properly?
Has the knob gone stiff and just needs lubricating?

You could always buy one from Screwfix or Toolstation if you have one local and see whether a 'standard one' works. 


Edit 2: If the problem is that the latch does not engage when the door is closed, have you tried fitting it without the handles then (make sure you have the handles and spindle with you) closing the door and seeing whether the latch engages? If it doesn't then it would suggest an alignment / adjustment / obstruction rather than a weak spring?

The exisiting bathroom one has not worked properly since I moved in - which hasn't been long. It also doesn't have a key (or even a hole in the doorframe to allow the lock to close) so needs replacing and a hole chiseled out to allow for the lock just so it can be locked. It feels like a botch job and that the lock and door knobs probably never quite worked together...

The knobs seems absolutely fine - definitely a lock problem on that one.

The latch does engage, but you have to turn the knob so it does, if that makes sense. It doesn't just pop out and sit in the hole.

Thank you for your advice - all really helpful!

wallofbeans

The other thing is making sure the latch is the right way around. Some seem to need the lock to be taken apart to do that, and others have an easier way of turning it 180. Any thoughts on that?