How to Install a Door Knob in a New Exterior Door
It only takes a few tools and a little patience and concentration to tackle this common project.
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You may be nervous about drilling the proper holes for that new lockset or door handle, but it’s not as difficult as it looks.
Senior editor Patrick McCombe demonstrates the entire process including:
- How to use a template (included with all new lock sets) to lay out the holes you need to drill
- How to drill clean, straight holes so your hardware will fit well and function properly
- How to locate and cut the mortise for the strike plate
- How to assemble and install the doorknob
View Comments
Drill the strike hole in the door first to allow the hole saw to unload sawdust into while you drill the big hole.. So much easier on the drill and hole saw.. MAke sure the hole saw touches all the way around as it first touches the door so you know it's going in square and level.. cut cross cut grain with your knife and then use your chisel at a 45 to remove the wood to the depth of the cross cut.. Do it again to set the full depth of the mortice just at the cross grain cut.. Then remove the wood in between these cuts with your chisel.. ..
I also find it helpful to put a couple of opposing wedges under the door to stop it moving around, and to use a really sharp chisel.
A couple of wedges under the door would relly help and make the process a lot safer. It's extremly dangerous to mortice for a strike plate with the door unsecured.
I found it unfortunate that the camera wasn't moved while demonstrating how to mark the placement of the strike plate on the jamb. He says it's the most tricky part of the installation and then we have to watch from five feet away and can't see where the combination square measurement is supposed to match up on the strike plate. I have replaced existing door knobs so I could visualize what he was saying (I think), but if you're going to do an instructional video on something that can't be easily fixed if you make a mistake, you really should be looking over his shoulder to see where he is marking. It seemed like he was doing this by himself with a video camera like an amateur YouTuber.
Just buy the dewalt lockset kit. It comes with a damn handy jig that sets up both holes and all you need to do is push your holesaw bit into each hole. It will do 2+3/8 or 2+3/4. To top it off if you need to re-drill or modify an existing door that has a hole which is too small and you can't use a pilot the jig works great as the outside of the jig positions the holesaw without the need for a pilot ! No futsing around with some stupid piece of paper and tape to setup your holes.
Good video though I like the combination square trick.
Hi, Great video! Can i just add that for a DIY or homeowner, please give some thought to this before you do it!
it might seem easy , but without the right tools and experience, you could ruin the door. Don't be afraid to call a locksmith! We wont bite!
Thanks,
Joe.