Door knob jig

[darcyh]

Hi Folks:

I have to install several door knobs / latches into some metal doors. Can anyone comment on how well the hole drilling kits and jigs work? I see HF has one as well as DeWalt.

How well do these things work. Worth buying? If so, what brand.

Thanks very much.

Dave

 

[RECox286]

I have one of the type you saw. It works OK, but if you are going

to be doing this for a living (ha) or more than a couple doors, I would

get the real deal that locksmiths use. Bottom line: if you get the

cheapie, it will do what you want. It will be easier than doing the

job without the aid of a jig. Go fer it !

Uncle Bob

 

[Steevo]

I bought one at HD or Lowes that I think was Irwin brand, and it worked perfectly. Provided the proper setback for the holes, came with the right sized hole saws and got the job done quickly and accurately.
For "several doors (less than 20), it is more than adequate.
I can see the plastic wearing and becoming inaccurate if you tried to use it in a production environment.

 

[vhol5]

I also have the Irwin. Works great!

 

[Tech Guy]

As a locksmith, the cheapie ones are meant for wood doors. Metal doors will kill the cheapie hole saws that come with it. That being said, if you are doing a bunch of metal doors, buy the cheap jig but get some good hole saws. A professional jig that my guys use is about $500.00 but we use it every day.

 

[jthandyman]

I have had the Irwin used and abused it it worked well, have had/ have the dewalt it works well, as have the porter cable professional one not sure I like the bit it came with I got mine used so it could use a good sharpening.

 

[rlitman]

As a locksmith, the cheapie ones are meant for wood doors. Metal doors will kill the cheapie hole saws that come with it. That being said, if you are doing a bunch of metal doors, buy the cheap jig but get some good hole saws. A professional jig that my guys use is about $500.00 but we use it every day.

I've got the Irwin, and yes, it came with cheap hole saws, but I bought it for the jig, not the bits.
The plastic works fine with real bimetal hole saws if you've got them, and it wears surprisingly slowly. I've done 6 doors, and it's still as tight as it needs to be, for something like $9. One of those was a commercial steel door.
The biggest issue, is that I need to keep a tight hold on the adjustment, or it will slip off the correct set-back setting.

It's not a "pro" model by any means, but it sure is faster than penciling in manual measurements and then drilling.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Why do you need a jig?

Just measure back 2-3/8" from the door edge and drill a 2-1/8" hole, then in the edge drill a 7/8' hole and mortise for the striker, then drill a 7/8' x 1" deep hole in the jamb for the strike plate, mortise it and you're done... I don't see what the jigs do, besides keeps you from measuring.

I have installed 100's of locksets and deadbolts over the years and never felt the need for a jig... now mortising for hinges is a different story.

 

[rlitman]

Well, for one thing, the Irwin kit I got was only around $9, and also included a hinge morticing template, and the junk holesaws.
For another, it guides your holesaws to help keep things more perpendicular.
It also takes all measuring out of the equation, and reduces the possibility of making a mistake somewhere.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have an old Westlock boring kit for locks. I've used it maybe a half dozen times, and have added 3-1/2" and 4" **** plates for hinges. Got it used so long ago I can't remember what I paid for it, but I'll bet it was like 10-15 bucks... The hole saws are good ones, I'm less impressed with the "drill" for the latch, as it is a pointed spade type, but it seems to work...

 

[mike7]

Does anyone make these jigs that are steel instead of plastic?

 

[Gary S]

Why do you need a jig?

Just measure back 2-3/8" from the door edge and drill a 2-1/8" hole, then in the edge drill a 7/8' hole and mortise for the striker, then drill a 7/8' x 1" deep hole in the jamb for the strike plate, mortise it and you're done... I don't see what the jigs do, besides keeps you from measuring.

I have installed 100's of locksets and deadbolts over the years and never felt the need for a jig... now mortising for hinges is a different story.

That's what I do. Measure it, drill your pilot hole and drill the bigger hole.

 

[ricleh]

Does anyone make these jigs that are steel instead of plastic?

I have one that is all metal made by Kwikset, but I got it over 20 years ago.

Surprised I could find this. Haven't used this or the master rekeying kit for at least 15 years.

 

[Outlawmws]

Does anyone make these jigs that are steel instead of plastic?

My old Westlock boring kit is either aluminum, or Zamac, possibly magnesium?

And it is at least 30 years old...

 

[Tech Guy]

Nice kit Ricleh, havent seen one of those in years. The ones I stock the trucks with are made by Pro-Lock, are steel and clamp right to the door so you dont have to hold it. When you are banging out door after door, it is a real time saver.

 

[Tech Guy]

Tried uploading a pic of the jig but the forum wouldnt let me so here is the link.

https://www.pro-lok.com/c-82-killer-jig-hardware-and-accessories.aspx

 

[hammlm]

Wow. The old kwikset kit is NICE! So is that prolok that you linked to.

Tech Guy -- do the "cross-spur" bits in that kit (I've always called them forstner bits) handle the steel skin on the doors, or do your guys carry right-sized bi-metal hole saws for that application?

 

[Larwyn]

I always just measured and drilled until we moved into this house which was built in the 50's. Instead of the usual 2 1/8" hole in the face of the door, all my doors have 3 smaller holes.

So, when it came time to replace the hardware on the front door I was stuck needing a 2 1/8" hole centered on the center of an existing smaller hole. For this I purchased the DeWalt jig to help locate the hole as I could not mark the center in the middle of a hole. Also as there was no wood to support the drill bit in a hole saw I used a 2 1/8" Forstner bit because it does not require a center yet tends to bore in a straight line.

It worked out fine and I am keeping the "kit" handy for the next time I need to use it. I like the Dewalt jig, if it saves you from trashing one door due to a measurement error it will have paid for itself. And for me it is quicker than "carefully measuring".

 

[HotRodChef]

Wow that Kwikset jig takes me back. I used one of those for years while working for my father. The bits included were only for wood doors (KWI is a residential brand). We'd carry a 2-1/8" and 1" hole saws to use on steel. I remember the jig being aluminum with a rubber coating. Good times.