Mail Slot Adjustments

The Draft Dodger Mail Slots come with several features that can be adjusted: Privacy Brushes, Silicone Gasket, and Torsion Rods.

Video Tutorial

Here is a comprehensive video tutorial outlining the possible adjustments that can be made to your Draft Dodger Mail Slot.

Torsion Rods

If the torsion rods that connect the flaps to the fame have broken with many years of use, there is 3 step guide to get it back in action. This page can also be used to change the flap with existing torsion rods.

There are a few things that should be known beforehand:

  • The torsion rods are universal (they can be installed for any model)
  • Torsion rods are tricky to remove once they have be placed in (more will be explained in the installation).
  • You can calibrate the strength (closing force) of the mail flap with the torsion rods.

It reasonable to assume that you will be installing this while the mail slot is installed on the door, but if you can remove the mail slot easily (if there is no adhesion holding it) then do so.

Please select the method required for your situation.

Installing torsion rods with out needed removal of existing rods.

NOTE: Avoid having the torsion rod fall into the grove without having its respected tension.

Tools & equipment: Pliers (Split joint pliers if available)

[Step 1] Put on your gloves and place the mail flap into its designated location. Slide in the torsion rods only halfway though the slot and flap so that the mail flap is supported by them.

[Step 2] With your pliers horizontal, grab only the outer half of the hexagon. To create tension on the mail flap, rotate your pliers downward to create tension. Practice it.

Calibrating the strength

It is recommended that the exterior (the one with the gasket) be rotated TWO notches while the interior should only be ONE notch. This creates a strong protection for the outside and when mail or parcels get passed through, the interior flap will let it enter with ease.

[Step 3] Have a firm grip. The torsion rods are slippery, and it is hard to hold such a small surface while keeping the downward pressure. Avoid the rod going in the slot with out tension. While holding the respected tension with the plyers, carefully slide the rod into its slot.  An audible “click” should be heard. The key end of the torsion rod should be fitted into the grove on the mail flap.

If the rod when in without tension. Please refer to: Removing tension rods that are not being replaced.

Repeat the three steps for the other side and the job is complete.

Removing torsion rods that are being replaced

Tools & Equipment: Gloves, and Utility Knife

[Step 1] Open the flap to see where the rod is located and how deep the blade needs to go. Widen the gap by pushing the flap to the opposite side. Take the utility knife and insert it in-between the flap and slot where the torsion rod lies with the cutting edge towards the rod.

[Step 2] Carefully rock the blade back and forth slowly so that only the torsion rod is being cut. Take your time and when it is about to be cut, go slower so that the mail slot does not get nicked by the blade.

Repeat for the other side.

 

Removing torsion rods that are not being replaced.

NOTE: This can cause some minor damage to the torsion rod and the mail flap both in unnoticeable locations

Tools & Equipment: Gloves, flat head screwdriver, and a blunt light weight object (split joint pliers).

[Step 1] Put on your gloves and then open the mail flap completely to see the torsion rod and the grove that it sits in. Your objective it to use the screwdriver and apply force by hitting the driver to remove the rod from its slot.  The video tutorial is recommended to visually see how this is done.

[Step 2] With one hand keep the flap open enough to insert the driver at the end of the torsion rod on an angle will allow as much force to be exerted on the rod. With the same hand hold the driver and the flap.

[Step 3] Swing the blunt object directly onto the handle of the driver. It needs a good amount of force because the tension is fighting to keep the flap closed. This may need to be done a few times to get the correct angle and force.

[Step 4] Repeat for the other side. Note when both have been removed, there might be some damage to the key secretion of the torsion rod. If so, when reinserting them, use the other side of the mail flap it was originally in.

If there is still uncertainty after viewing this guide, please refer to the contact page and send us an e-mail