The Spindle is integral if often overlooked, item in architectural ironmongery.

What is a spindle?

A spindle is a length of square rod or bar, made from metal, usually, steel, which connects two Door Handles or Door Knobs together on either side of a door.

The spindle locates into the square holes found at the back of a set of door handles or doorknobs. It passes through the follower (spindle hole) on a tubular latch or mortice lock. When the levers on a set of door handle set are depressed by hand, or the doorknob is turned, the spindle rotates and operates the latch inside the door. This retracts the latch bolt (also known as latch tongue), which allows the door to open.

On occasion, new spindles supplied with door furniture may be initially too long, such as when used on very thin interior doors. In this instance, it is simply necessary to place the spindle in a vice and cut it down with a hacksaw. If undertaking this, measure the spindle carefully, including the length needed to locate into the rear of the two-door handles. Measuring this correctly will prevent the spindle from being cut too short.

So, does one style of spindle fit all door handles and doorknobs? The answer is, unfortunately not. Whilst the modern industry-standard for spindles is 8mm square as discussed, there is a wide range of types of the spindle to suit different door furniture applications.

Ningbo Shitai Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. is a China shaft factory and a spindle shaft factory. Welcome to visit our official website.