Boler entrance door handle

[Butsky]

Hello folks. I just bought a new "L" handle to replace the old pitted and non-locking original. There was no gasket between the handle plate and door surface. A wad of grey caulking was there, of course! Was there a rubber gasket there originally? If so, I suppose I will have to make one out of an old inner tube? Thanks!

[Jack L]

The grey caulking is probably butyl tape. It would be my first choice in this application.

[Gerry]

I rebuilt my old handle years ago and I cut a gasket out of cork. Still in place after 10 years

[Butsky]

Cork, you say. Never thought of that! Should be easy to cut and trim!

[Gerry]

I believe I got it at an auto supply shop and is 3/16 thick 12"x12" sheet.

[k corbin]

You can buy rubber sheeting for making gaskets at most any hardware store chain such as Ace, True Value etc.

Another good gasket material is EVA foam. You can buy it in flat sheets of varying thickness at craft stores. It is sometimes referred to as "Fun Foam". EVA foam is closed cell and does not absorb water so it makes very good gaskets. It is what I generally use for making gaskets when I don't need to worry about high temperatures. It is very easy to cut and trim with scissors or a razor or craft knife and can also be cut with a laser cutter.

[Butsky]

Hey, that is another great idea! My wife has some of that foam she bought at the local craft store. Doesn't come in white, but black will do nicely!

[Gerry]

Yea, I think, if that stuff was available when I did mine I would have used it also.
Isn't it great that even though I have owned and have been doing small and large repairs and (in my eyes) improvements on my Boler for the past 20+ years, I can always learn a new way or idea on how to do it better with the newer products available.