How To Chisel Door Lock

Mark the precise centre top to bottom of the bolt onto the inside edge of the jamb using a pencil.

How to chisel door lock. Choose a position on the door for the lock. Fortunately cutting out this mortise isn t nearly as difficult as it sounds. Cut a latchbolt mortise in the edge of the door. 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.

Select a lock with the same setback. Using a chisel cut along the outline as deep as the plate is thick. Install the deadbolt lock about 44 inches above the bottom of the door. Knowing how to cut a mortise is essential for installing a deadbolt lock.

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. If things don t go well for you the first time your lock will probably work fine after a few adjustments but you ll likely have to view the evidence of sloppy work for the life of the door. Outline the rectangular latch plate onto the door edge with a utility knife then remove the assembly. To fix this add a custom cut plate or a door reinforcer.

To allow proper clearance for the lock to operate most strike plates are recessed into the door frame. Step 7 cut the latch photo by david carmack. And if you want extra added security consider electronic door locks or even smart locks. Then chisel to the same depth every 1 8 inch between the top and bottom of the plate outline.

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. The strike is installed on the door frame and contains a hole that catches the latch or bolt that extends from the lock. Use a sharp 1 inch chisel and a hammer to. 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.

The handedness of most locksets can be changed by using an included tool. Use a bevel edge chisel and hammer to square the corners of the mortise if the faceplate has square corners. Close the door and look for where the lock bolt or latch bolt contacts the door jamb. The strike will hold the bolt in place keeping the door locked until the bolt is retracted using a key or thumb turn.