How To Chisel Door Lock

Close the door and look for where the lock bolt or latch bolt contacts the door jamb.

How to chisel door lock.

Select a lock with the same setback. Use a combination square to transfer this centre mark across the face of the jamb onto the flat strip between the inside edge of the jamb and the door stop. You ll have to adjust the position a bit if you have a combination storm door so as not to interfere with the storm doorknob or lock. Step 7 cut the latch photo by david carmack.

Using a router attachment remove the wood between the pencil lines drawn on the door edge to create a mortise for the faceplate. The strike is installed on the door frame and contains a hole that catches the latch or bolt that extends from the lock. You ll need to cut a mortise a small shallow recess in the wood of the door and doorjamb for the latchbolt and strike plate to rest. The strike will hold the bolt in place keeping the door locked until the bolt is retracted using a key or thumb turn.

And if you want extra added security consider electronic door locks or even smart locks. Outline the rectangular latch plate onto the door edge with a utility knife then remove the assembly. Fortunately cutting out this mortise isn t nearly as difficult as it sounds. Choose a position on the door for the lock.

To fix this add a custom cut plate or a door reinforcer. Knowing how to cut a mortise is essential for installing a deadbolt lock. Many new lock sets allow you to adjust the latch to either distance. Then chisel to the same depth every 1 8 inch between the top and bottom of the plate outline.

Use a bevel edge chisel and hammer to square the corners of the mortise if the faceplate has square corners. Chiseling a recess called a mortise for a door lock plate is one of those jobs that s very simple in theory but also very easy to mess up. Install the deadbolt lock about 44 inches above the bottom of the door. Mark the precise centre top to bottom of the bolt onto the inside edge of the jamb using a pencil.

The handedness of most locksets can be changed by using an included tool. Cut a latchbolt mortise in the edge of the door. Using a chisel cut along the outline as deep as the plate is thick. Fit the latch and faceplate into the door.