Broken handle on window

[H F]

A handle on one of windows has stopped working - please see image and video.

 

I can’t figure out how to open the mechanism and see what’s gone wrong.

 

It’s a PVC window.

 

Advice welcome. 

[Big Jimbo]

The gearbox is knackered. I bought some very cheap windows once, and they broke within a matter of weeks on a good few of the windows. Not sure how the fudge you are going to get at that. Sorry.

[H F]

17 minutes ago, Big Jimbo said:

The gearbox is knackered. I bought some very cheap windows once, and they broke within a matter of weeks on a good few of the windows. Not sure how the fudge you are going to get at that. Sorry.

yikes. Not the answer I was hoping for. 

[Bitpipe]

Looks to be an allen nut on the handle and a flat screw at the top?

 

What happens when you remove them both?

[Russell griffiths]

Take those screws out and have a look

 

he who dares Rodney 

[H F]

2 hours ago, Bitpipe said:

Looks to be an allen nut on the handle and a flat screw at the top?

 

What happens when you remove them both?

The Allen nut just roared both ways, endlessly; on the working one too.

[H F]

2 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Take those screws out and have a look

 

he who dares Rodney 

I did consider that... I’ll do that tomorrow.

[H F]

Took the screws out - this revealed a bolt (similar to those in door handles) which appears to have slid back into the frame preventing the window handle from working. Pulled the bolt out and fixed the window handle in place and it’s all working again. Phew. Thankfully, the gears inside the window are working perfectly.

[ProDave]

Is there not a grub screw in the handle to stop the bar  moving out pf place again?

[Russell griffiths]

Told ya

he who dares son. 

[Onoff]

1 hour ago, Home Farm said:

Took the screws out - this revealed a bolt (similar to those in door handles) which appears to have slid back into the frame preventing the window handle from working. Pulled the bolt out and fixed the window handle in place and it’s all working again. Phew. Thankfully, the gears inside the window are working perfectly.

 

If there's no grub screw to stop the bolt sliding in and out a small blob of silicone up the handle will have the same effect if left to set.

[H F]

1 hour ago, ProDave said:

Is there not a grub screw in the handle to stop the bar  moving out pf place again?

No, there isn’t.

[H F]

10 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

If there's no grub screw to stop the bolt sliding in and out a small blob of silicone up the handle will have the same effect if left to set.

Good tip. If it happens again, I’ll do that.

[H F]

I have another dodgy handle we’ve come across. Have taken it apart but can’t see anything obvious that may be affecting it.

[H F]

Forgot to add the handle image.

[Temp]

Search eBay for mortice lock spindle and buy a longer one. Cut to length so it can't dissapear into the window.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Temp

[Onoff]

A short spindle can work it's way too far into the handle - away from the lock or into the lock away from the handle. 

 

You can always insert a spare piece of spindle and operate without the handle using a small spanner or mole grips etc to check the lock action.

 

I'm sad that I keep bits I take off old doors. Cut any new spindle to length in a vice with a hacksaw and file off the burr. (Or hold in moles and cut off with a small grinder if you're a bit deft at it ? ). Sometimes theres a grub screw that tightens into a V in the square bar, often it's just expected to tighten against the square bar and bite in.

 

Check Amazon, Wickes even. Not sure if Screweys or TS do the bars.

 

e.g:

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Door-Handle-Spindle---90mm-Pack-of-2/p/112799

 

(As an aside you can find on some say bathroom door locks the square spindle is a smaller section).