Fix for loose Alderlea door handle.

[Derf Summerfreeze]

Folks, The wood handle on my new 2022 Alderlea T6 came loose a few times so I repeatedly drifted the retaining ring back up into place. Today the ring loosened and the handle fell off completely (as expected!). On close inspection it turns out that PE was using a 'round push nut' which looks similar to the correct part, which according to McMaster Carr is called a 'push on retaining ring'. A 'push on retaining ring' bites into the mild steel and prevents the handle from slipping off. This is what PE should have used. Instead, a 'round push nut' as McMaster Carr refers to it, was used and it is not designed to bite into the shaft, but is designed to have flexible teeth that thread onto an already threaded shaft. No wonder the handle kept coming loose. I informed PE that they were using the wrong part on the production line. So, if you have a handle that keeps falling off, that's why. Anyway, I decided to do one better and cut 1/2 inch of 5/16" NC threads to the end of the shaft. I found a 5/16 NC locknut in my stash(the all metal type) and with a thin wall 1/2 inch socket that just fit into the wooden handle to drive the nut on, I now have my handle held on by a proper nut, rather than a cheapo retaining ring. Derf

 

[begreen]

Were pictures taken? Sounds like something changed. 15 yrs and our stove's handle has never been an issue.

 

[Derf Summerfreeze]

I can disassemble and take a couple of pictures tomorrow if required. The reason the handle came loose is because PE used the wrong part. Likely bought a bunch of round push nuts thinking they were the right part. (they look almost identical to the correct 'push on retaining ring'. I'm happy with a threaded end and nut since I can remove the handle without hammering on it should I ever want, or need to. I noticed the whole handle assembly is only $60CAD so not really a big deal. What surprised me is the handle being made of wood (or appears to be). I would have expected a high temp phenolic or similar, but I tend to over engineer things. As a kid I had plans to build a brick tree house. My mother laughed and said no tree could ever hold it. I found that white oak was quite strong so that went into my plans. Obviously I never built it! Derf

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I’d like to see pics too. The only issue I’ve had with mine is it was tough to turn and latch. It needed some graphite lube.

 

[Derf Summerfreeze]

I will take pics before the weekend is out. I didn't do anything to the business end, only the handle so I'm not sure what the pics will be worth. My door opens and closes easily, but then again, it is new. BTW, I cut the threads with the handle assembly still attached with a fire going. I did not disassemble the handle assembly and take it to the shed to do the work. It was easy to cut the 5/16NC threads in situ. Derf

 

[Derf Summerfreeze]

Here's a picture of the handle mod. Derf

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Oh, I see! I was thinking the assembly was coming off the door!

Thank you for posting the fix!

 

[JamboJoe]

I can disassemble and take a couple of pictures tomorrow if required. The reason the handle came loose is because PE used the wrong part. Likely bought a bunch of round push nuts thinking they were the right part. (they look almost identical to the correct 'push on retaining ring'. I'm happy with a threaded end and nut since I can remove the handle without hammering on it should I ever want, or need to. I noticed the whole handle assembly is only $60CAD so not really a big deal. What surprised me is the handle being made of wood (or appears to be). I would have expected a high temp phenolic or similar, but I tend to over engineer things. As a kid I had plans to build a brick tree house. My mother laughed and said no tree could ever hold it. I found that white oak was quite strong so that went into my plans. Obviously I never built it! Derf

Folks, The wood handle on my new 2022 Alderlea T6 came loose a few times so I repeatedly drifted the retaining ring back up into place. Today the ring loosened and the handle fell off completely (as expected!). On close inspection it turns out that PE was using a 'round push nut' which looks similar to the correct part, which according to McMaster Carr is called a 'push on retaining ring'. A 'push on retaining ring' bites into the mild steel and prevents the handle from slipping off. This is what PE should have used. Instead, a 'round push nut' as McMaster Carr refers to it, was used and it is not designed to bite into the shaft, but is designed to have flexible teeth that thread onto an already threaded shaft. No wonder the handle kept coming loose. I informed PE that they were using the wrong part on the production line. So, if you have a handle that keeps falling off, that's why. Anyway, I decided to do one better and cut 1/2 inch of 5/16" NC threads to the end of the shaft. I found a 5/16 NC locknut in my stash(the all metal type) and with a thin wall 1/2 inch socket that just fit into the wooden handle to drive the nut on, I now have my handle held on by a proper nut, rather than a cheapo retaining ring. Derf

My Alderlea T5 handle grip just fell off yesterday, the steel handle shaft has no thread and it looks like it was being emit in place by a couple of very flimsy push-on rings (no gripping teeth). Not at all a technical whiz, so I’ve messaged our independent installation guy for suggestions. Stove about 2 years old, PE factory is in our hometown here (Duncan, BC). Surprises as otherwise excellent quality stoves, previous PE insert woodstove we had for about a dozen years. Seems handle grip on this particular model shoddily designed! Tx for your insights found here after I googled.

 

[JamboJoe]

Here’s the photo.

 

[moxy]

My handle fell off mid way through 1st year. Same problem. 👿

 

[begreen]

Looks like a poor cost cutting move. Let them know it is unsatisfactory.

 

[JamboJoe]

Looks like a poor cost cutting move. Let them know it is unsatisfactory.

Have emailed the company here in Duncan BC about the handle problem and also messaged them on Instagram. Waiting to hear back after long weekend here. Meanwhile managed a (temporary?) fix by using a piece of plastic tubing inserted into bottom end of handle to force push-rings back in place over steel shaft. No doubt the rings will slip back down in a little while. The gent who says he cut a 5/16” thread into the end of the mild steel handle shaft and then secured the handle grip back in place with a 5/16” nut has the right idea, but alas! I lack the technical know-how to do that modification.

 

[JamboJoe]

Have emailed the company here in Duncan BC about the handle problem and also messaged them on Instagram. Waiting to hear back after long weekend here. Meanwhile managed a (temporary?) fix by using a piece of plastic tubing inserted into bottom end of handle to force push-rings back in place over steel shaft. No doubt the rings will slip back down in a little while. The gent who says he cut a 5/16” thread into the end of the mild steel handle shaft and then secured the handle grip back in place with a 5/16” nut has the right idea, but alas! I lack the technical know-how to do that modification.

 

[begreen]

I got out a bright flashlight and checked out our handle. Looks like the same attachment method. It's been in service for 16 yrs this way without issue. Sounds like something may be slightly out of tolerance or maybe the fasteners were put in backwards?. If they come off again, very slightly tap down the crowns of those fasteners to make them a little tighter. Then use a 6" piece of something rigid (1/2" copper pipe?) to drive them on the shaft, crown side out.

 

[JamboJoe]

I got out a bright flashlight and checked out our handle. Looks like the same attachment method. It's been in service for 16 yrs this way without issue. Sounds like something may be slightly out of tolerance or maybe the fasteners were put in backwards?. If they come off again, very slightly tap down the crowns of those fasteners to make them a little tighter. Then use a 6" piece of something rigid (1/2" copper pipe?) to drive them on the shaft, crown side out.

Thanks for checking out your similar handle for comparison, yesterday evening I used that same method you describe except I used a rigid piece of 1/2” plastic tubing which worked too. Hopefully the fasteners will now stay in place. If not, I’ll try gently tapping the crowns to tighten them up a bit, as you suggest. Cheers!