Repair and replacement · Rolling Shutter Guide
What replacement crank handle or wand does my rolling shutter need?
Match the fitting first. A crank box takes a short handle in its square opening. A universal joint below the shutter box takes a bell-ended wand, 5 ft long on Roll-A-Shield shutters. A hole in the box takes a 7 mm hex wand: 48 in for curtains under 72 in tall, longer above that.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield's hex override and crank wands have a 7 mm hex tip. Roll-A-Shield data
- Hex wands are sized from the curtain: 48 in when the curtain is under 72 in tall, and a longer hex wand (listed as 53 in and up) for taller shutters. Roll-A-Shield data
- A universal-joint override or crank uses a 5 ft wand with a bell end that slips over the joint. Roll-A-Shield data
- The front of the box takes a two-hole universal joint or a hex hole; the back takes a four-hole universal joint. Roll-A-Shield data
- Roll-A-Shield limits pull-strap, crank-strap and crank-wand operation to curtains of about 50 lb; a heavier shutter needs another operator, such as a motor. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Manual crank-box shutters, crank-wand (gear) shutters and manual-override (CMO) motors, including Roll-A-Shield's. Other makes may use a different hex size.
"Crank handle" covers three different parts on a rolling shutter, and they are not interchangeable. The one you need depends on where you turn it: inside the room at a wall box, or outside at the shutter box itself.
Which kind of crank does my shutter have?
Look at where the handle goes in.
| What you see | What it is | Replacement part |
|---|---|---|
| A box on the inside wall with a strap running into it, and a square opening at the bottom right | Crank box (strap crank) | A short crank-box handle |
| A small joint hanging below the end of the shutter box | Universal joint (override or crank-wand) | A bell-ended wand |
| A hole in the end of the shutter box, nothing hanging out | Hex-hole override or crank | A hex-ended wand |
A crank-box handle turns the strap winder on the wall; the strap does the lifting. A wand engages the operating mechanism at the end of the shutter box directly. Wands are used on two kinds of shutter: manual crank-wand (gear) shutters, and motorized shutters with a manual override, where the wand is the backup for a power cut.
What sizes are Roll-A-Shield's handles and wands?
Roll-A-Shield's hex wands have a 7 mm hex tip; across the range, what changes is the end and the length.
| Part | End | Length | Used on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crank-box handle | Square drive into the box | Short; listed as 180 mm | Indoor crank box |
| Universal wand | Bell, slips over the universal joint | 5 ft | Universal-joint override or crank-wand |
| Hex wand, standard | 7 mm hex tip | 48 in, for curtains under 72 in tall | Hex-hole override or crank-wand |
| Hex wand, long | 7 mm hex tip | Listed as 53 in and up, for taller curtains | Hex-hole override or crank-wand |
The hex-wand length is chosen from the curtain's height when the shutter is built, so the reach matches the height of the box. If you are not sure which length you had, tell us the shutter's height and we can work it out.
Does it matter which side of the box the wand goes in?
Yes, because the fitting differs front and back. The front of the shutter box takes either a two-hole universal joint or a hex hole for the wand. The back takes a four-hole universal joint, used when the wand is turned from inside through the wall. A hex hole through the back is discouraged and used only when the shutter is reverse-mounted at shoulder height or lower.
On the small 6.5 in and 7 in boxes, a universal joint fits only at the bottom of the end cap. A replacement wand has to match the fitting you already have; changing from a hex hole to a universal joint, or from front to back, is a change to the shutter, not a new wand.
Universal joint or hex wand: which is better?
They trade convenience against security. A bell-ended wand slips over the universal joint and turns straight away, which is easy in a hurry. A hex wand has to be fished up into the hole before it engages, which is slower in an emergency, but there is nothing hanging below the box for someone without the wand to grab. The full comparison, including what an override does to limits and obstacle detection, is on What is a manual override?
How heavy a shutter can I crank by hand?
About 50 lb of curtain. Roll-A-Shield's configurator stops a pull strap, crank strap or crank wand once the curtain weighs more than 52 lb, and a heavier shutter needs another operator, such as a motor, which can have a manual override as its backup. On a large motorized shutter, cranking by the override wand is slow, heavy work. If your wand is hard to turn all the way, see How big can a manual shutter be before it needs a motor?
Tip: If a handle or wand turns but the shutter does not move, or it keeps breaking at the joint, a new handle may not be the fix. Start with Crank is stuck, stripped or keeps breaking before ordering.
How do I order one?
The crank handle in the Roll-A-Shield parts store is the short handle for an indoor crank box. Override and crank wands are not in the store: call (480) 921-0200 with:
- a photo of the fitting (bell joint or hex hole) and which side of the box it is on
- the height of the shutter, so the right wand length ships
- the make of the shutter, if it is not a Roll-A-Shield
Wands come in fixed lengths and are not cut to order; an extra-long wand is a special order. In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield's service team services rolling shutters of any make.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a crank handle online?
Yes. The crank handle in the Roll-A-Shield parts store is the short handle for an indoor crank box. Override and crank wands are not in the store; order them by phone at (480) 921-0200.
Can I get a longer wand?
Wands come in fixed lengths chosen from the shutter's height when it is built, and they are not cut to order. For a reach the standard lengths do not cover, call; extra-long wands are a special order.
Will any hex wand fit?
Roll-A-Shield hex wands use a 7 mm hex tip, so on our shutters you match the end (bell or hex) and the length. On another make, check the old wand's end and size, or send a photo, before ordering.
Does the wand stay on the shutter?
No, the wand is removable. Store it where you can reach it quickly: on a motorized shutter with a manual override, it is how you open the shutter when the power is out.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Crank-box handles are in the Roll-A-Shield parts store. For an override or crank wand, call (480) 921-0200 with a photo of the fitting and the shutter's height. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.