How to Cut Lock Holes in Door

Lock sizes refer to the distance across the interior lock assembly, not the trim or escutcheon plate visible after installation. The distance corresponds with the diameter of the hole saw bit required to drill the hole. Installation requires drilling a hole through the door panel, then two smaller holes into the door edge and trim where the bolt or bevel are housed. If you can operate an electric drill and have access to a set of hole saw bits, you can drill the holes and install the lock yourself rather than calling a professional locksmith.

Measuring tape
Electric drill
Hole saw bits
Utility knife
Chisel

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the diameter of the interior lock assembly, consult the installation instructions or the lock template provided with the new lock kit to determine the hole sizes necessary.
- 2
  Tape the lock template to the front and around the side of the door, and against the trim where the strike plate will be installed. Mark the center of the front, side and strike plate hole with a pencil.
- 3
  Fit an electric drill with a hole saw the same diameter as the hole for the front panel, place the center of the bit over the pencil mark and drill all the way through the door.
- 4
  Fit the drill with a hole saw the same diameter as the bolt or bevel hole at the edge of the door and drill through the door until the bit reaches the hole created in Step 3. Drill 1/2-inch into the center of the strike plate hole with the same bit.
- 5
  Cut around the edges of the strike plate template with a utility knife. Chisel the wood between the hole made by the drill and the edges of the plate, 1/8- to 1/4-inch, according to package instructions.

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