How To Install Locksets And Dead Bolts Like A Pro

There are age long secrets to successfully doing it yourself. One of the secrets is knowing the right tool for the job. Another secret is knowing how to do it. All of a sudden, you find yourself tackling projects you use to pay someone else to do. For instance, for installing lockset and dead bolt, you will need the following: masking tape; a hammer; tape measure; flat- head screwdriver; a 1- inch spade bit; pilot drill bits for all screws; a power drill; and a 2 1/8- inch hole screw.

After you have gotten the right tools, it is time to start work. Plan to spend about one hour to complete the installation. Follow this step- by- step guide and you will know how to install locksets and dead bolts like a pro.

Step 1. Position The Template: Most doorknobs are 34 to 38 inches high, with dead bolts 6 to 12 inches above that. Decide for yourself what height is preferable. When drilling new holes, tape the producer's template in place with the lockset centerline at the desired height. Determine the backset - the distance from the door edge to the centerline - and use the corresponding template marks. The backset can be 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches; many locksets accommodate both. Then drill 1/8- inch pilot hole through the door edge, use the template to drill a 2- inch- deep pilot holes through the door to center of the 2 1/8- inch hole saw. At the door edge, use the template to drill a 2- inch deep hole for the strike or bolt.

Step 2. Drill The Door Face And Mark The Jamb: Using drill with a bubble level or a torpedo level taped on top, drill halfway through the door from each side with the hole saw to prevent blowout sintering. Then mark the doorjamb for the strike plate by closing the door, inserting a nail from inside of the 2 1/8 inch hole through the strike pilot hole and pushing it into the jamb.

Step 3. Drill The Jamb And Door Edge: With the nail mark as an indicator, drill a 5/8- inch- deep hole for the strike or a 1- inch spade bit. In the door edge, use the pilot hole to guide a 1- inch spade and drill through to the large hole where the cylinder will sit.

Step 4. Chisel The Jamb And Door Edge: Hold the latchet assembly up to the door edge and score its outline deeply with utility knife. Do the same for the strike plate on the doorjamb. then score the wood to be removed at 1/4- inch intervals with a chisel, removing enough wood so the strike box sits flush with the door edge and the strike plate sits flush with the doorjamb.

Callistus Amadi is a home improvement consultant. He provides do-it-yourself home improvement tips at [http://diyhomeimprovementtips.com/]

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Self Defense at Your Residence - Install Dead-Bolt Locks on All Doors For Home Self Defense

Installing dead-bolt locks on all the doors of your residence is an additional line of home safety and self defense. It used to be that locks were only on door handles and people only locked the doors when they went to bed. Many did not even lock the doors if they left the residence for a short period of time. Children did not carry keys and could get in the house after walking home from school (by themselves!) Times have changed.

Now most people keep their doors and windows locked at all times. Dead-bolt locks have become the number one way of locking doors. Installing two or three dead-bolts per door is not uncommon. Although it is not impossible to kick a door open, like in the old movies, it is much more difficult with dead-bolts. The reason is, the dead-bolt, when engaged moves a one inch or longer solid piece of metal bar into the door frame. Trying to kick in a door now requires breaking a large portion of the door frame.

There are different types of dead-bolt locks. Some are keyed and some are just locked from the inside. You can purchase a kit of two or more locking doorknobs and dead-bolts which use the same key. That way you can replace the existing doorknobs an all doors with new door locks and dead-bolts and have fewer keys to carry.

If you want a little more peace of mind and a first line of self defense for your residence install a number of dead-bolts on your doors. You never know when you may need some extra protection. And if you live in a windy area additional dead-bolts can keep the wind from blowing the doors open.

Do you want to learn more about protecting yourself in a self defense scenario?
Go to http://SelfDefense-Techniques.com and download the 6 page Self Defense Tips report for FREE.

Most traditional martial arts classes do not train you for real life encounters. Learn to avoid getting yourself into a bad situation. But if you find yourself face to face with serious injury or death, you will have mastered the skills to survive by following these simple systems.

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