Install Screen/Spline First or Plunger Pins First?

Quick Learner from MN

Apr 24, 2020 6:41 pm

I?ve got 70-009 plunger pins on the way to replace the pins in all of my screens. I am also replacing the screen in the frames. While removing the old screen from the frames, I noticed that the manufacturer (Marvin) installed the screen and spline in the frames first and then drilled though the frame/screen/spline to install the pins. Do you recommend that I follow this same process or a different process? Thanks.

6 Replies

Paul from SWISCO

Apr 28, 2020 10:41 am

Many thanks for posting. When I used to repair screens with pull pins, I would first remove the screen wire, replace the broken pull pins, and then then install the new screen wire with the rubber spline. Let me know if you have further questions.

Quick Learner from PA

Feb 12, 2025 12:19 pm

Hi, I also had this question. The issue I am having isn't the drilling and install of them, it's how to insert them into the screen frame channel after the fiberglass screen mesh is installed. I have attached two pics of what I am dealing with. These screen frames have six plunger bolts and the foam spline has been cut around each bolt--that's six, yes, six separate pieces of spline around this frame! Am I missing something or is there a better way of doing this?

2 user uploaded images

Dave Sr. from SWISCO

Feb 13, 2025 2:50 pm

Hello there! I see what you mean. My suggestion would be to carefully use a drill bit to "open up" the location of the pull pin so that it will work freely through the spline in the screen frame. You will need to take care not to damage the frame unnecessarily if you attempt this. Let us know if this makes sense, or if you have further questions.

Quick Learner from PA

Feb 17, 2025 7:50 pm

Hi, I first removed the old screen mesh, then removed the plunger bolts--mine were steel and tapered with a black cap as pictured above. Rescreened the frame with .145 foam spline, used a 1/8" drill bit to go through the existing holes and through the spline and mesh. This worked out perfectly and thank you! Also, do you carry the tapered steel plunger bolts?

Tom from SWISCO

Feb 18, 2025 11:10 am

That's great! I'm glad you were able to get everything worked out. As for the tapered plunger pins, I'm sorry to say that we don't currently sell that style. The un-tapered 70-009 and 70-008 are the closest options we can provide at this time.