How to Make a Low Cost Door Knob Extender for People with Hand Pain

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Obtain a length of 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) plastic electrical conduit or similar plastic tubing.

   Mark off intervals from on end of
   1.5, 3,
   4.5, 6, and 13 inches (33.0 cm).
2. 2

   Step 2: At the 1.5 and 4.5 inch marks

   ,, Enlarge the hole on the side away from the notch so that the head of the screws you will be using will fit entirely through the hole, so the screw head ends up inside the tube.
   
   On the other piece, drill only a small hole through one side of the tubing, positioned so that the tubes can be screwed together as shown in the photo for the previous step. ,, Place this against the Doorknob with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) extending beyond the knob on one end.
   
   Mark the edges of the knob. , Getting a smooth cut isn't essential and is difficult if just using a hacksaw. , Enlarge the holes on the side away from the knob so that the screw heads will pass through, leaving them inside the tubing. , Rotate the two 3 inch (7.6 cm) pieces already attached to the door, so that the screws in the 7 inch (17.8 cm) piece contact the 3 inch (7.6 cm) tubes in good spots for attaching.
   
   Mark these spots and drill a small pilot hole there.
   
   The 7 inch (17.8 cm) tube will be at about a 45 degree angle to the 3 inch (7.6 cm) tubes. , Optionally, place a piece of rubber shelf liner between the knob and the 7 inch (17.8 cm) piece.
   
   It probably won't be necessary if the notch in the 7 inch (17.8 cm) piece fits closely to the knob.
   
   Done.
3. 3

   Step 3: cut a notch in the tubing.

4. 4

   Step 4: Cut through the tubing at the 3 and 6 inch marks to make two 3 inch (7.6 cm) pieces

5. 5

   Step 5: each with one notch.

6. 6

   Step 6: In one piece

7. 7

   Step 7: drill a small hole all the way through the tubing so that when this hole is parallel to a flat surface behind the tubing

8. 8

   Step 8: with the notch facing up at about a 45 degree angle.

9. 9

   Step 9: Place the two 3 inch (7.6 cm) pieces on opposite sides of the Doorknob and run 2 inch (5.1 cm) drywall screws through the pre-drilled holes to connect the tubes together behind the knob.

10. 10

    Step 10: Return to the tube you marked in step one

11. 11

    Step 11: and cut it off at the 13 inch (33.0 cm) mark

12. 12

    Step 12: now 7 inches (17.8 cm) from the end after cutting off the two 3 inch (7.6 cm) pieces.

13. 13

    Step 13: Notch the tube to about half the diameter so that the notch will fit over the knob.

14. 14

    Step 14: Drill a small hole all the way through the tube on each side of the notch

15. 15

    Step 15: so that the line of the holes will be perpendicular to the door when the notch is placed over the knob.

16. 16

    Step 16: Place the 7 inch (17.8 cm) piece you just completed over the knob with the screws run almost as far in as they can go.

17. 17

    Step 17: Screw the 7 inch (17.8 cm) piece to the 3 inch (7.6 cm) pieces.

Detailed Guide

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