HELP! Trying to fix an old fireplace handle

[GoodTerry]

Hi all,

First-time poster and not someone who knows a great deal about fireplace maintenance, so would appreciate any guidance you can offer!

My partner and I recently moved into a new home, and have discovered that the existing fireplace has an issue with the handle. Namely: it doesn’t lock when turned.

The model is Wiking Bazic 3, which has been out of production since 2013. As such, we have struggled to find a replacement handle (there is one place, but it’s based in Denmark and doesn’t deliver outside of the country).

Below are several pictures that show the problem (we hope). We think the square plate is the part that should turn to lock the door, but there is currently a gap space that seems to be missing a part that would give the square plate enough grip to turn with the handle (see esp. pic 3, the gap is roughly 12mm).



We have two primary questions: 1) can it be fixed with regular parts? 2) Is it a serious issue to use a fireplace when the door does not fully lock?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I’m not a pro, but just giving some ideas:
Not a good ideas to use stove without proper door lock. If this is a gas fireplace, definitely do not use without proper door lock.
If it is fixable, someone on this forum will give you some ideas. Does the handle appear warped or damaged aside from possible missing a piece? Taking a picture more close up and with better lighting may help.

 

[stoveliker]

I think it's a wood burner. But indeed, the doors should seal well for it to burn clean (and keep your chimney clean and safe),.and controllably.

Is it possible to take the screw out and add washers between the screw head and plate to push it closer to the door?

What is on the side where the plate should touch when the door is closed?

Seems like someone already finagled something as that screw doesn't look original to me.

 

[GoodTerry]

I think it's a wood burner. But indeed, the doors should seal well for it to burn clean (and keep your chimney clean and safe),.and controllably.

Is it possible to take the screw out and add washers between the screw head and plate to push it closer to the door?

What is on the side where the plate should touch when the door is closed?

Seems like someone already finagled something as that screw doesn't look original to me.

Thank you for your reply!
It's a wood burner, yes. Yeah, we can disassemble the whole handle, so take out the screw and everything. The handle itself is not damaged or anything, it's mostly just that there's too much space when everything is screwed together, so the square plate doesn't move when we move the handle, and therefore the door doesn't lock. There's definitely been some finagling there before, yes. We were wondering if it would be an ok fix to try and put washers between the handle and the screw to hopefully make it fit tightly, whether this would be safe enough. We can try putting more washers in and see whether that closes the gap better (one washer was definitely not enough).

 

[Eman85]

It looks like the piece that would secure the door should have a square hole and mount securely on the handle. Then it wouldn't flop around like yours appears to do. You could find a piece of steel for the inner latch and drill a hole and then file the flats to fit the handle.

 

[begreen]

It looks like a very basic system. Have you tried contacting the local Hwam dealers to see if this same latching system is used on other Wiking or Hwam models? The parts may still be available even though this one has been discontinued.

Looking at this simple latch, I am wondering if the handle and shaft were press fitted into the door. Is there a bearing collar on the shaft (the shiny area) that rotates freely around the shaft?