How To Drill A Deadbolt Door Lock

This video was taken as part of a comprehensive comparison of the best residential locks in the us.

How to drill a deadbolt door lock.

Close the door and turn the deadbolt several times to mark the doorframe. Use a 7 8 spade bit to drill two overlapping holes in the doorframe for the deadbolt. Drilling a lock will destroy the locking plug but should leave the mechanism in working order. If you lose the key and can not pick the deadbolt than you can drill the deadbolt to break the tumbler pins and turn the lock using an object.

Drilling a deadbolt lock should be your last option because it will destroy the lock. Drill pilot holes and secure the striker plate with screws. If you re in a situation where you cannot or do not want to use a drill to install your lock there are a couple ways of installing an interior door lock without a drill. When you open the door the position of the bolt will be evident on the jamb.

If your new deadbolt has a concealed screw for the interior door knob consult the installation instructions for your specific lock. Lock drilling is a last resort approach to gaining entry to locks that cannot be opened by other means. Good to know to prevent splintering in a wood door drill halfway through one side and then flip the door and drill through the other side. Mortise the area around the hole so the strike plate will fit flush with the doorframe.

Use a 2 1 8 inch hole saw to drill the hole for the deadbolt lock assembly. If you must do it you can learn to examine the lock and approach the task properly with the right equipment for the job.