No-Drill install of Camco door handle

[Townesw]

It didn't take us long to see the benefit of having a screen door handle but I couldn't bring myself to drill holes in my screen door so I made these plates to install the handle without drilling.  I used 1/8 inch X 1 inch aluminum and drilled and tapped for #8-32 X 3/8 SS screws.

 

 

The plates "rotate" into place with the hook at the bottom fitting into the cross bar of the door to keep the assembly from sliding up in the door channel.

 

 

I shortened the handle tube to 19-13/16 inches, slid the end caps on and attached the assembly to the adapter plates.

 

[attachment file=127613]

 

 

I know, a lot of trouble to go to when I could have just drilled the holes and been done with it but I think it makes for a cleaner installation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cash]

Great idea. I'll bet you could sell some of these at the rally. I for one would be interested. Thanks for sharing.

[Overland]

Nicely done.

[topgun2]

Bill -

 

I'm not sure about "a cleaner installation", but, I would think that it is a bit stronger.  Those four small screws holding the handle on in the typical installation are screwed into such thin aluminum.  I always try to remember to tell "guests" to not put too much pressure on that screen door handle - the aluminum door simply is not strong enough to handle any real weight.  At least your design helps spread any weight over a larger area.  Besides, it is simply cool.

 

Bill

[Rumline]

I'll buy a set.

[KountryKamper]

Me too.

[Mike and Carol]

Nicely done!

[Hikegsm]

What a wonderful solution you devised! I have that same handle but have been too afraid to drill into the door to install it.  If you do make some to sell at the rally I would certainly buy a pair!

 

 

[Townesw]

Thanks Mark. I know those folks over at G&H. I may run it by Barry and see what he can do it for. I made these two with a hacksaw, files and emery cloth. Certainly wouldn't want to make many that way.

[Going]

I like your solution. Very nice and clean! I would buy it too.

[DavidS]

At the Oliver Rally several people commented on my low tech solution to the door handle problem.

 

The handle was $2.50 at Ace Hardware, and I used two sheet metal screws. I decided on this solution after reading Topgun2's post about the screen door handle, and that the bar did not have the strength to support someone when getting in or out of the camper.

 

 

[Mike and Carol]

At the Oliver Rally several people commented on my low tech solution to the door handle problem.

The handle was $2.50 at Ace Hardware, and I used two sheet metal screws. I decided on this solution after reading Topgun2’s post about the screen door handle, and that the bar did not have the strength to support someone when getting in or out of the camper.

 

I did the same thing last year. Home Depot only had white handles, so that’s what I got. A little retro, reminds me of our screen doors when I was a kid.

 

 

 

 

[topgun2]

Interesting that each of you chose a different side of the screen door to install the handle.

[Hikegsm]

Thank you for making us a set and installing our screen door bar at the rally! It really does make the door sturdier ?.

[KountryKamper]

Thanks for making us a set too and installing at the rally! Makes the door much stronger.

[DavidS]

Interesting that each of you chose a different side of the screen door to install the handle.

 

Mike and Carol's placement of the handle near the latch means that it takes less force to close the door.

 

My placement of the handle near the hinge means that I don't have to lean out very far to grab the handle.

[KountryKamper]

This mod of Bill's no drill door handle made the Oliver Newsletter. We love ours and it looks and works great. I guess Oliver liked it too!

 

Way to go Bill!! :-)

 

 

[Bauhausluv]

Was wondering if you made any more of these?  Could we purchase some from you and have you mail them to us?  Thanks.

[Townesw]

Bauhausluv,

I will make you a pair and PM you when it is ready. It will be a while as I have other projects in-process right now.

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[BackofBeyond]

To add to the previous installs,  its not NO drill, but its clean and simple.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012GTVVA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I picked one of these up, its a clean install.

 

Seems sturdy enough, solid.

 

[attachment file=screen door bar.jpg]

1/8 drill bit, a little blue painters tape for protection, and a Phillips screwdriver. About five minutes.

 

RB

 

I do not know how to rotate this once its in the forum?

[topgun2]

RB -

 

I did the same as you - really easy and quick.  However, make sure that you warn people to NOT use the screen door handle for support when getting in or out of the camper.  I'm certain that both the handle and the door could not stand too much pressure - that is what the inside and outside handles that were already on the Oliver are to be used for.

 

Bill

[Rumline]

We've had ours installed for nine months now.  Still as solid as day 1 and our son is not gentle with it at all.  Very happy that Bill made and sold these.

[Trainman]

Nicely done, if you are not going to produce and sell them I wish you would post the pattern on this website. I understand if you don't want to do it, that's where most of the work is, getting the bracket pattern right.

 

 

 

trainman

[Bauhausluv]

Bauhausluv,

 

I will make you a pair and PM you when it is ready. It will be a while as I have other projects in-process right now.

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

 

 

Hey thanks!  Haven't logged in for a while so I'm just now seeing this! Let me know when it's done.

[jdmmtx]

Hi. Any chance you made an extra pair of these brackets we could purchase? We've had that same screen door bar for months and haven't installed it because we also really didn't want to drill into the screen door.