What is the trick to getting the roping into the slots when replacing screen on doors? Thanks!

Edited December 5, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

There's  special roller

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Screen-Spline-Plastic-Tool-654/205619545?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D25H-Hardware|&gclid=Cj0KEQjwrsDIBRDX3JCunOrr_YYBEiQAifH1Fm5fA4uEBDng3_-y5ojuQUhAI8WjpCP-G4PsxsbHhEQaAphi8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Yes and roll it in, then trim it off.

They used to make those with a wood handle and metal rollers (back in the cave days).   Pull your spline snug, but don't stretch too much if you are re-using the old (it breaks) and a lot of the so-called hardware stores don't necessarily carry the handful of sizes that exist.  You may have to work it a bit to get around and into the corners.   You may want an extra pair of hands to pull the screening snug.   Some of the newer screen doors i have seen use a piece of wood trim holding the screen put in place the 23 ga pins.   I can only imagine what fun they are to repair.   We are given damaged new doors all the time at the Restore, but most don't want to mess with them.

get Lew to do it...

he's the man w/ the plan....

The problem I am having using the old wooden handled roller is that it is almost impossible to get the roping into the slot. Could I use some Vaseline to  get it to slide into the slot, or do I need to get some new.  

The spline may be aged and hardened.   A new spline could be softer and "squishier".

Are you reusing the spline material or did you get new. As Pete said, there are several sizes. Also, is the new screen the same "weight" as the old?

 

I have used a flat blade screwdriver to get the spline started down into the channel and then the tool to finish.

roll the screen into the slot before you try to set the spline...

5 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

roll the screen into the slot before you try to set the spline...

Crud, wish I'd of known that lil trick before I did my screens.

50 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Crud, wish I'd of known that lil trick before I did my screens.

 

and short segments of that spline make for great space balls.....

hollow or foam core makes for the best..

The double-ended roller tool has one wheel with a rounded profile to push the screen into the slot, then the other wheel, with a concave profile, pushes the spline into place.

John

21 hours ago, John Morris said:

Crud, wish I'd of known that lil trick before I did my screens.

 

didn't RTM????

selecting screen and spline.pdf

5 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

didn't RTM????

I don't know what this is.

Read the manual?

Cal

7 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I don't know what this is.

 

the instructions that came w/ the screen splining tool...

RTM = Read The Manual... (sometimes also written as RTFM)

Rescreening-Instructions.pdf

selecting screen and spline.pdf

The convex wheel is used to press the metal screen into the frame. The concave wheel is used to press the vinyl screen spline into place holding the screen to the frame. Using it is very easy, just make sure to use the correct end.

To use the screen or spline installation tool, follow these easy steps:

• Using the concave wheel of the installation tool, seat the vinyl retainer spline into the channel by starting in a corner.
• Use short strokes going in the same direction. Try not to go back and forth.
• Use a small screwdriver to press the spline into the corners as necessary.
• As you press the spline into the frame it will make the screen taught.
• Once installed, trim the excess screen material with scissors or a utility knife.

7 minutes ago, clhyer said:

Read the manual?

Cal

 

correct...

I'm not asking how to re-sreen, you got the wrong guy, I just commented how nice that little tip of yours was. Besides read a manual, surely you jest! Who needs a manual when we got each-other right Stick!

I know Manual. 

3 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Besides read a manual, surely you jest!

 

why be a island or start a new trend....

that trick works reasonably well on the heavier synthetics...

but, there must be somebuddy here that can use that information...