by Raymond » 25 Dec 2020 15:28
Jackson Exit Bar Dogging Device Repair
Problem: The 1/8" dogging key would spin and not turn to latch the bar open.
Since the bar is a real nuisance to remove the dogging socket on I tried quick tricks first. The first solution was to grind flat the tip of the key to remove wear. This did not work. Second solution was to try to force in an Allen driver one size larger. This did not work either. Conclusion: replace dogging socket.
Since I do not stock this item I contacted two of my most commonly used vendors for the part. Both were out of stock and had no idea when to expect a replacement.
Solution: make the repair.
I discovered that the metal used for the socket is relatively soft steel. I mounted the device in a drill press vice and drilled the socket with a #7 drill. I then tapped the hole for a ½” long ¼ - 20 set screw. Remove any tapping oil with a drying solvent. I ground the sides of the screw just a bit to make them rough and coated the socket with JB Weld. (Loc-tite Red would work just as well) I then screwed the socket screw into the device and must only replace it into the exit bar. (Note: flattening the sides of a screw will allow the thread locker to fill in the flat spaces and be more difficult to turn out without serious heating.)
The hardened Allen screw is much stronger than the original socket and will probably never wear out again within the life of the exit bar.
Nothing is foolproof to a talented fool. Wisdom is not just in determining how to do something, but also includes determining whether it should be done at all.
