Drilling holes for new deadbolts

[N Heat]

I need to drill holes for deadbolts. I've seen the cheap DeWalt and Irwin kits at the BORGs, but I'm a little afraid them being made of plastic.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=132990-70-D180004&detail=cr&lpage=none

Anyone have any tricks to help with this, or do I have to invest in an expensive kit for just two doors?

 

[Torque1st]

Just measure twice carefully and drill carefully.

 

[willymakeit]

Use a holesaw. Layout backset meas. on door and drill. You can make a jig out of plywood. 1 peice for each side of door with your lockset hole bored in it , seperated by another the same thickness of your door. Usally for a 1 time deal,drill a 1/4'' hole thru door, then drill with hole saw from each side. Hope this helps, it is harder to explain than do for me.

 

[rsanter]

it does not take much of a fixture to get the job done. for years it was done with no jig.
last time I did one it was with no jig
measure and mark the spot
recheck the measurment
start drilling the big hole. start on one side and get close to the other side.
when the center breaks through the opposite side, stop and start drilling from the other side.
lastly drill the small hole in the end of the door
use a wood chisel to make the recess for the strikers
done

bob

 

[ddawg16]

Just measure twice carefully and drill carefully.

Don't listen to Torque1st.....he doesn't know what he is talking about....

You have to measure at leat 20 times....then go have a beer....measure about 5 times more.....go have a beer....then drill very very carefully....then have another beer.....

That way....when you realize you screwed up...you don't care.....

Ok....that's my fun for the night.....

Tourque and the others have it about right....

 

[slimshady_2469]

its either 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 for the backset. use a 1 1/2" holesaw to drill the main holes. if you happen to fudge it up you can alway go up to 2 1/8", but that will give you some room to play with. the bolt needs a 1" hole and either a holesaw or a spade bit will work, but the spake would probably be a better bet with no jig or a less than ideal jig. hope this helps some....

 

[Torque1st]

The instructions in the lockset package will specify the backset and the sizes of the holes needed. Most have a paper template that can be used also. Personally I have had much better luck carefully measuring with a square.

Holesaws come with a 1/4" pilot bit. Once the hole is drilled there is nothing to guide the pilot bit for another try. Make sure you use the proper size holesaw to start with.

 

[scooby074]

Holesaws come with a 1/4" pilot bit. Once the hole is drilled there is nothing to guide the pilot bit for another try. Make sure you use the proper size holesaw to start with.

Actually there is something to allow you to fix a screwed up holesaw hole (as long as its not oversize). Its called a Oops arbour,Starrett makes it.

http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/HS-0019/Starrett-quotOOPSquot-Arbor

Saved my *** more than once

 

[Torque1st]

That is cool, it uses the original size holesaw as a pilot. It will work great if the hole is just the wrong size and not the wrong place. I will have to make one on the lathe if I ever need one. In the past I have glued a blank piece of stock the proper size back into place and re-drilled to change a hole size. To get a hole moved slightly I have used a blank cut out without a pilot drill made in a drill press.

 

[rodm1]

I installed many with no jig (professionally) and not worth buying a cheap one. I ended up buying a decedent one when I could pry the money out of the owner.

 

[slimshady_2469]

i understand what you mean about not being to step up after the first 1 1/2" hole, never really thought about that part as we have steel jigs at work so we dont use any pilot. guess it was a bad example? or advise?

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have the Dewalt set and use it often. It includes both hole saws and is adjustable for both 2-3/8 and 2-3/4 depths. I have a Craftsman jig that was under $20 that works great as well.

 

[N Heat]

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Daniel Dudley]

No help here, but secure the door and use both hands on the drill. If you hold the door with one hand and drill with the other, it will be a short trip to the emergency room.

Don't ask me how I know...

 

[kartracer23]

I'll go against the grain and say that I use a cheap jig. I've got the Irwin. No measuring. Slap it on there, attach it to the edge of the door & go to town. I did about a dozen holes last year in old, solid wood doors that had the original holes filled with Bondo. For the $15 or so, it makes it easy.