How to install a mortise lock on an interior door. Detailed recommendations: how to fit a lock into an interior door. Mortising a lock with a milling machine

Putting a latch or a lock on a door is not that difficult. If you have a tool (nothing extra expensive or unusual is needed), you can do it in 30-40 minutes. And this is without experience. We will talk further about how to embed a lock into an interior door and how to install a latch.

Tools for inserting locks and latches

Embedding a lock into an interior door is not that difficult, but you will need the following tools for the job:

Not such an expensive and rare instrument. If you don’t have a drill and a crown, you can buy it at any construction supermarket or market. Since we will not be drilling into stone, there is no need to buy too expensive ones - ordinary crowns or wood drills.

Ready-made set for inserting locks into interior doors (on wood): feather drill, holder, crown

A few words about what is better - a crown or a feather drill. Cutting a hole in a door for a lock is easier and faster with a crown, and there are fewer chips. But working at the end with a crown is not so convenient, and the hole is larger than necessary. Drilling with a pen takes a little longer and there are more chips, but it’s easier to control the process. In general, there is no big difference, but most often, the hole in the canvas is made with a crown, and in the end - with a feather. But you can use a pen everywhere.

Another point: a standard crown has a diameter of 25 mm, and a hole of 22-23 mm is needed for the lock. The extra 2 mm can be easily covered by decorative trims, but with a very narrow door these extra millimeters can become critical.

How to embed a lock into an interior door: step-by-step photos

Before installing a lock or latch, you need to determine the height at which the handles will be located. The recommended height is 90-110 cm. A lock or latch is usually placed in this gap. But when installing a lock into an MDF door, you should not install the lock higher than a meter. The fact is that in budget models the wooden plank into which the lock is installed is 1 meter high. Higher up there will only be emptiness and you will have to re-drill the hole and figure out how to close the resulting hole. Once we have decided on the height, we can begin installation.

Recess for the locking part

Before embedding the lock into the interior door, mark the selected height on the door. Make this more convenient using a tape measure. We place a mark at the end and transfer it using a square or building level to both sides of the door leaf.

  1. Take the lock/latch and apply it to the end of the door so that the middle of the lock falls on the drawn line. We mark the width of the metal locking part and the level at which the lining ends.
  2. We take a 16 mm feather drill and apply it to the part of the lock that will be inserted into the door leaf. Using a marker or masking tape, or a piece of electrical tape, make a mark on the drill. This mark should be slightly further than the lock. We will use it to guide us to what depth to make the holes. This is especially important if the lock is installed against glass. Otherwise, you may drill too deep and damage the glass.

    We put a mark on the feather drill - this way we will control the drilling depth

  3. Having installed a feather drill, we make several holes one under the other, forming a recess for the lock. The number of holes depends on the size of the lock. In some models 4-6 are enough, in others you will need 8-10.
  4. The edges of the holes were uneven, and the wood had lifted in places. We take a chisel and remove the protruding wood fibers from the edges, working lightly and in depth (but don’t get too carried away).

  5. We take a regular 16 mm drill and put it in the drill. Use it to align the edges of the hole made. To do this, move it up and down, pressing lightly on one side or the other of the notch. This operation is needed to speed up the process, but the drill must be strictly controlled. If you are unsure, it is better to level the notch using a chisel and mallet.

  6. Insert the lock into the resulting hole. It is usually a little larger, so there are no problems. If necessary, using a chisel or drill it can be increased to the desired size.
  7. We set the lock to the desired position and attach it to the door leaf using two self-tapping screws (one at the top, the other at the bottom).

  8. Using a pencil or a utility knife, trace the perimeter of the lock lining. We remove the lock, take a chisel and remove 1-2 mm of wood, MDF or veneer inside the markings made.

The depth of the recess for the locking part depends on the thickness of the decorative strip. Usually they try to make sure that the strip is flush with the end of the door, but it may protrude a little. Shoot little by little as you work—it’s easier to edit it than to try to restore what you shot.

We put the handles

To finish installing the lock on the interior door, you need to make holes for installing handles. The work is much less than what has already been done, but accuracy is required. The mistakes are not too critical, although it is better to try to avoid them.

The handles come complete with self-tapping screws for wooden doors and tie bolts for installation in a metal door. It is better to replace the self-tapping screws from the kit - they are usually made of soft metal. Unless you bought a branded foreign lock, in which the screws are hardened. And so, buy several good screws with a diameter of 1.5-2 mm and a length of about 1 cm.


Some models have decorative overlays. We align them using a square.

Installing the lock latch

Locks for interior doors usually have a rotating latch on one side that locks the lock, and on the other side there is only a lining with a slot. That is, you can’t just open the door from the outside—you need a special key. Installing this part of the lock takes literally a couple of minutes, but there are some nuances.


That's it, inserting the lock into the interior door is almost finished, all that remains is to check the work.

Mate insert

The counter part must be installed clearly so that the doors do not play and there are no problems with closing. Therefore, we try to mark as accurately as possible and take a sharpened pencil.


You know everything about how to fit a lock into an interior door. The description takes up a lot of space, the process itself takes 25-30 minutes if you’re doing it for the first time. It will take more time if you level the holes with a chisel rather than with a drill. But the total duration will still not be more than an hour.

Latch installation features

It is not very often that a full-fledged lock is installed on interior doors. More often you have to install a latch - a handle with a tongue. It is smaller in size and inserting it is much faster and easier.


Installing a latch on an interior door is even faster and easier than a lock. There is very little work. You can do it in 20 minutes. And this is completely without experience.

Along with high decorative properties, the interior door performs an important function - protective. Therefore, installing a lock on an interior door from the manufacturer is carried out when it is necessary to prevent unauthorized people from accessing an important area. This activity can be done with your own hands, but first you need to decide on the type of lock. The features of its installation will depend on the functionality and design features of the fittings.

What types of locks are there?

Depending on the type of construction, the following types of locks are distinguished:

In addition to classification according to the shape of the lock, you can divide the types of fittings according to the type of locking mechanism:

  • latches with a locking element;
  • invoices;
  • scuppers;
  • fall;
  • mortise;
  • magnetic.

The last type of fittings is considered innovative. It is suitable for any type of modern door, does not make sounds during operation and therefore the demand for them is growing rapidly.

Features of choosing a lock for doors made of various materials

There is a wide range of interior doors on the market, but the following types of doors are most often used:

  • from MDF with a width of 35 mm and 45 mm;
  • retro wooden doors with plank frames;
  • wooden panels of a modern device with panels 50 mm wide.

If you know the design features of the lock and door, then the process of installing the hardware will be simple.

Features of using flat locks

Flat locks can be inserted into wooden interior doors of new and old design without restrictions, even when finishing with platbands.

If the door is made of MDF and has a width of 35 mm, then a flat lock of reduced size can be installed on it, in which the size of the larger wide tongue is no more than 15 mm. Also, the width of the end adjustment of the fittings should not exceed 25 mm. This is caused by the structural features of the MDF board, which is not able to take on dynamic loads. Therefore, the lock can only be inserted into a wooden frame.

The nuances of using round locks

Despite the abundance of handle shapes for round locks, the installation principle is the same for all. The fitting mechanism is made for canvases with a thickness of 35-45 mm. Round locks for large wooden doors are not always commercially available, but the peculiarity of this type of hardware is that it can be adapted to any thickness of wood. For these purposes, it is enough to replace the short latch carrier, which is a steel plate 2-3 mm in cross-section with a hole at one end, with a longer similar element.

Depending on the door material, you can independently set the position of the latch exit toggle switch. For a wooden door this figure will be 70 mm, and for an MDF panel - 60 mm. The fittings designed for insertion into an interior door have a special feature - a cylinder located on the inside, which increases the convenience of locking.

If it is necessary to correctly insert a lock into a door that opens to the left, it is recommended to swap the cylinder and the latch, which is only possible when disassembling the structure. However, this option is not acceptable for offices due to its ease of hacking even without special equipment.

Instructions for installing a lock on an interior door

The event consists of several successive stages, the first of which is preparatory.

Preparation

Depending on the type of lock you choose, you will need a different set of consumables and tools. The latch handle is easier to install: you just need to make a hole of the appropriate diameter.

The installation of a twist lock with a lock (with a handle and a cylinder) is more complicated, since in addition to two holes for the handle and the cylinder, it requires creating a socket in the end part of the blade.

Choosing the height at which the lock will be inserted is an important point, especially for a frame structure. A lock can be inserted into a wooden door at any desired point, but in frame panels it is necessary to install the fittings in a specially laid beam, which is located at a height of 90-100 cm from the base.

Installation of fittings can be carried out before installation or on an existing interior structure. If an electric milling machine is used during the installation process, the blade is securely secured in a horizontal position using a slipway. In this case, the side being processed should be facing the master.

Tool preparation


To install the locking structure, prepare the necessary tools:

  • Measuring tools: carpentry triangle, tape measure, pencil.
  • Carpentry tools: flat and Phillips screwdrivers, hammer, chisel, slipway, chisel.
  • Mechanical and electrical tools: screwdriver and set of bits, feather drills, drill for working with wooden materials (6 mm), suitable size bits, electric router.

Every home master has in his arsenal almost the entire list of necessary tools.

Features of installing a lock using a milling machine

Step back 1 m from the floor and mark the point where the lock will be installed to the canvas. In this case, the handle can be located at a different height, depending on user preferences.

The mortise depth of the fittings is determined by a triangle by measuring the lock body. It is necessary to put the resulting value on the canvas with a pencil, and outline the upper part of the castle along the contour.

Next, select a location for the latch and the well. To do this, measure the distance from the center of the keyhole to the end of the lock. The appropriate markings are applied to the door, after which holes for the keyhole with a latch are drilled using a feather drill.

Next, mark the recess into which the lock will be installed. To do this, the fittings are leaned against the end of the canvas with a crossbar. A cutter of the required circumference is installed in the tool and the recess is drilled. In this case, the crossbar must fit completely into the door leaf.

Next, a recess is cut for the lock well. A groove cutter inserted into the router is used to cut out a groove of such a size that the locking mechanism fits into it perfectly. The boundaries of the resulting recess are processed with a chisel and hammer for aesthetics.

The chips are blown out of the recess and the lock is immediately placed. The crossbar is fixed to the door using self-tapping screws, after which the fittings are installed directly.

Installation of a locking mechanism without a router

To install the locking mechanism without this type of tool, you will need a measuring ruler and a pencil, as well as chisels of various widths and round files. The main working tool is an electric door and a set of 10-14 mm drills. Detailed instructions will help you take further actions:

  • Mark the desired location of the handle on the canvas, 70-100 cm away from the floor. Place the locking mechanism sideways on the face of the canvas. Holes deep into the door, made with a drill, are made at a slight angle.
  • Use a chisel to level the surface of the nest. Place the lock on the face of the door, mark the core, make two holes and line them up with a file. Carry out these actions on the opposite side of the canvas.
  • The structure is inserted into the groove, and the rod for the handles is threaded through. The lock tongue must be exposed. Marks for it are placed on the door frame, along which a groove will be made for the mating part of the lock. The bar is attached when the locking mechanism is ready.

How to mark up correctly?

Markings are most often applied according to certain patterns or based on the main dimensions of the parts of the locking mechanism that must be attached to the canvas. Experts recommend applying marking lines using a pointed awl or needle. Thus, it is possible to work directly along the contour. The pencil line has its own thickness, which gives an error.

When installing a round lock

A priori, it is necessary to accurately determine the location of the round lock on the door. After this, markings are applied using the product installation instructions and template. The height from the floor should be equal to 965 m. The markings are applied from the side of the cylinder, taking into account the thickness of the canvas and the length of the locking mechanism tongue.

Two dots are applied on the front side of the canvas. To obtain the first, you need to measure a distance of 60 mm from the edge of the door, and for the second - 70 mm.

A hole with a diameter of 50 mm is drawn on the canvas, which is necessary for mounting the handle. At the end of the door, opposite the main hole, a second diameter of 23 mm is outlined, which will be the basis for the hole for the latch.

When installing a flat locking mechanism

On the door jamb you need to draw a vertical and horizontal axes with a pencil. The transverse line is drawn at a height of 965 mm from the finished floor point. If the door is made of solid wood or has a retro design, then the horizontal axis should be drawn at a height of 800 mm. The markings are applied to the lock attached to the door with a pencil and the lock is selected according to this drawing. The resulting socket will be slightly larger than the required size, which will allow you to adjust the gap for the mechanism.

There are certain nuances when marking holes for mounting the cylinder and spindle. This is done by attaching a lock to the side. The holes are made with an additional indentation from the end of the door. The width of these holes must be equal to the same parameter as the end plate.

Installation of a flat type lock


When installing this type of lock on a solid wood door, you can vary the height as desired. An MDF door has an area suitable for inserting fittings at a level of 1 m. You can quickly install a lock by pre-drilling holes with a feather-type drill, the diameter of which should be 1-3 mm greater than the thickness of the lock structure. Drilling is recommended to be done with single holes in 2 passes. After this, a socket is arranged using a chisel, according to the instructions, the contour of the groove is marked when inserting the lock and the hole for the groove is selected.

The recess for mounting the cylinder is made as follows:

  • A round recess of slightly larger diameter is drilled for the cylinder.
  • A round hole of smaller diameter is made to install the bottom of the cassette and pins.
  • Remains are removed with a chisel.

Once these steps are completed, the lock is ready for installation. Remove the cylinder and handle from it, insert it into the socket, and then return all parts to their original positions. The unlocked lock assembly has 1 mm of play on all sides.

The next stage is identifying and marking the screw points. After marking is applied, holes for self-tapping screws are drilled. Once they are fully screwed in and the lock is secured to the door, install the handle on the locking mechanism as well as the tab cover.

The handle of the lock can be round or L-shaped. To install this element, you must perform the following steps:

  • Decorative overlays must be attached to self-tapping screws on the front and back sides of the canvas.
  • Insert and secure the handle mounting rod.
  • Cover the canvas and make a mark on the box corresponding to the position of the tongue.
  • Using a ruler, measure the length of the tongue and make the corresponding marks on the box.
  • Place the overlay on the marks and trace.
  • Along the boundary of the contour line you need to make holes with a drill, the shape of which is adjusted to the desired shape using a chisel.
  • At the last stage, a tab is installed in the lock structure and fixed with hardware.

After installation, be sure to check the smoothness and accuracy of the lock. If an error is identified, the location of the tongue can be changed.

Installing a lock with a cylinder

The insertion diagram for this type of fittings almost completely repeats the option described above. Having drawn marks on the end of the door, drill the recesses vertically, keeping the distance between them to a minimum. The jumpers between the two rows are removed with a chisel, preparing a large nest. Holes are drilled in the canvas, one on each side for the cylinder and for the handle.

Then, using a chisel, the door material is selected for arranging the well, the lock, its handles and the counter part of the strip are inserted.

A router can greatly facilitate the work, allowing you to obtain a smooth surface without errors and preserve the aesthetics of the canvas.

Installation of a round lock

To drill holes according to the applied markings, you will need a crown of suitable diameter. The diameter of the hole must be large enough to accommodate the mechanism and sufficient to cover it with decorative overlays. You can use ready-made sets of crowns.

When drilling holes, cracks and chips may form on the surface. To prevent this, holes should be made from two deep to the center. Then, using this method, a hole is made in the end part of the door for the mechanism. A hole for the tongue is drilled in the central part of the marking.

Install a lock in the prepared socket, remove the latch and trace the contour of the fittings, remove the latch. Using a chisel, make a hole large enough for the outer plates to pass through. When carrying out this exercise, extreme care must be taken to cut the required height and maintain the aesthetics of the door. Check the door and fittings for functionality.

Installing a lock on an interior door will increase the comfort of your stay. This is very convenient, as it allows you to limit a small child’s access to those rooms where he could disturb adults or get injured. Embedding a lock is quite easy; almost any homeowner can do it.



  • The lock itself, with a set of handles and bolts
  • Square and pencil
  • Drill
  • Core drill, 5 cm in diameter
  • Spade drill with a diameter of 23 mm
  • Chisel
  • Screwdriver or screwdriver.

Having a full set of tools will allow you to complete all stages of the work quickly and accurately. If something is missing, it is better to ask friends or acquaintances for a tool than to try to do without them, as this will lead to poor quality work and unsatisfactory appearance.

Marking

Usually the handle is located at a height of about a meter from the floor, so it will be convenient for use by people of any height. Therefore, we measure 95 - 100 cm from the bottom edge of the canvas and make a mark. Then, at the selected level, using a square, we mark the centers of future holes. On the end plane the center of the lock will be in the middle, and on the side plane it is necessary to retreat 6 - 10 cm from the edge. This is the place of the future lock and handle.



Lock drilling

Drilling holes for the lock starts from the end. A feather drill is installed in the drill and a hole about three centimeters deep is drilled exactly at the marked center. This is the place for the lock tongue.




After this, a core drill with a diameter of 5 centimeters is installed in the drill. Use it to drill holes on the sides. If you are not sure that you will be able to drill the hole horizontally, without distortion, then you need to mark it and drill on both sides. In this case, the drilling depth is equal to half the thickness of the door. If everything is done correctly, you will get a round through hole with a diameter of 5 centimeters, which has a side hole with a diameter of 23 millimeters.




Before installing the lock, you must cut out a recess for the latch. To do this, the lock is inserted into the door and the latch plate is outlined with a pencil. Along this contour, using a chisel and hammer, a recess with a depth of approximately 3 - 5 mm is selected, depending on the thickness of the plate. At the same time, a recess for the tongue is cut out on the door jamb according to the size of the special trim. This is where the lock tongue will go and hold the door closed. When both recesses are ready, the lock and recess are fixed to the jamb using the self-tapping screws that usually come with the kit.



Installation of handles

The further process does not cause any difficulties. The handle with screws is put into place first. The screws are unscrewed and the handle is inserted into the lock. To do this, the handle has a special square-section rod, which passes through the corresponding hole in the lock. After that, a second handle is put on this rod on the other side and secured with screws. Then decorative overlays and the handles themselves are put on. This completes the installation process.








After this, all that remains is to remove the debris and tools.

Useful notes

Even if you are confident in your abilities and know how to drill, it is better to work with a core drill from both sides. This will ensure a neat cut and there will be no chips or burrs on the surface of the door that will ruin its appearance.

It is better to drill a recess for the lock in the end of the door after the hole for the handles has been drilled. This way you will be sure that the hole is completely connected to the main one. Otherwise, you may need to drill out a hole for the lock.

When choosing a recess for the lock plate, work must begin with the outline. The entire contour is outlined with gentle blows, and only after this the wood is selected. This will prevent chips and cracks from appearing.

Do not over-tighten the screws on the handles. The fixation should be tight, but not excessive. Otherwise, dents may appear on the surface of the door, spoiling its appearance.

Video How to make a lock on a door

The front door is a reliable barrier to intruders entering the house. An important point is the choice of a lock for such a design, which allows for increased protection. Locks come in different types and classes of burglary resistance. It is necessary to correctly approach the process of selecting and installing locking products. Installation is not difficult, but follow the instructions.

Installing a suitable lock into a wooden door

Attention! Wooden doors are often installed in country houses. The question arises, how to embed. The process itself is typical, so it is important to follow the instructions, selecting the appropriate tools for this. The lock itself must fit the door to achieve positive results and longevity.

What tools are needed?

The first thing you need to do is select the lock itself and the required tools for installation. Among the most necessary are the following:

  1. Chalk and a simple pencil, which will be required to complete the markings.
  2. Electric drill. It comes with a set of drills for woodworking. Their sizes range from 2 to 7 mm.
  3. Chisels. They must be sharp. Two pieces are enough - wide and narrow.
  4. A tape measure and a square for it.
  5. Hammer.
  6. A rasp with a coarse notch or a round file.
  7. Screwdriver. If it is not there, use an ordinary screwdriver.

After the tools are prepared, they begin to work. Installation is considered more difficult than installing an overhead. In the latter case, there is no need to cut a hole of a suitable size, so installing the lock or latch in the door is simple. In any case, it is important to know how to do it correctly and what to consider.

Installed lock with handle in a wooden door

The insertion of a lock of any type into a wooden door may be necessary for various reasons. The most common is the construction of a house and the installation of doors, mechanisms, handles and latches. However, replacing the lock on a wooden door is also common. The reasons are long-term use, breakdown, problems with functioning or hacking. In any of these cases, it becomes necessary to install a mortise lock on a wooden door.

Where to start?

The first stage of installation is the creation of a special groove or hole for the lock body. To do this, you need to make markings to determine at what height to mount the product. Most often, the height reaches 90-100 cm from the floor. But this size varies depending on ease of use. The height is selected for the people who will use the lock or latch and handle.

Creating a groove for the plank using a chisel

Once you have determined the height, marking is done. To do this, the lock is applied to the door with the part that will be mounted in the hole on the door leaf. Using chalk or a pencil, outline the body of the product. The result is a mark that allows you to understand where the locking mechanism will be located.

The hole is cut using a feather drill. In this case, it is worth giving preference to the product that corresponds in width to the thickness of the lock. Drilling a hole is done in different ways. The first method involves carefully and gradually moving the drill inside the door leaf by 1-2 centimeters until the required mark is reached. The second method involves immediately drilling a hole.

The hole itself should be 1-2 mm larger than the width of the lock body. This will ensure unhindered entry of the lock into the created hole. It is recommended to hold the drill perpendicular to the end of the door and parallel to the surface. Align the edges of the hole using a hammer and chisel.

Marking the lock on the end of the door leaf

Important! To hide the lock in the hole, make it 2-3 mm deeper than the width of the case.

Marking the strip and its installation is carried out in the same way. To do this, it is applied to the resulting hole and traced along the contour using a pencil. It is better to knock out along the intended lines using a chisel so as not to spoil the edges of the hole for the lock.

The next step is the hole for the mechanism

To install it in a wooden door, you should make sure there is a hole for the mechanism of the product. Only after this can you install a lock or latch on the door and begin installing the handle. Installation of the mechanism or cylinder itself requires precise markings. To do this, the lock body is placed opposite the previously obtained groove. The fastening elements are marked on the door leaf with a pencil. After this, the holes are drilled using a drill that matches the diameter.

Attaching a latch to a wooden door

The result is grooves, the edges of which should be carefully leveled. It is best to use a file for these purposes, which will help you quickly deal with the problem. If you additionally plan to install a latch or handle, it is important to know how to properly embed the lock in this case. Installation involves drilling additional holes for the rods and screws that act as fasteners for the latch or handle.

We can assume that preparations for inserting the lock are complete. The lock should be inserted into the prepared grooves and secured using appropriate fasteners. All elements are attached using self-tapping screws and bolts; there is no need to use additional elements.

Last steps of installation work

The final stage of the work is to create a hole in the door frame for the normal functioning of the lock, latch or door handle itself. If you omit this moment, the door will not close properly and fit tightly. This should be done only after you have verified that the lock is functioning normally and that there are no problems or jams.

To mark the hole, apply a small amount of chalk to the tongue or crossbars of the mechanism. After this, the door is closed by turning the mechanism. As a result, you can see a chalk mark on the jamb. Here it is necessary to create holes for the crossbars of the mechanism or the tongue of the handle.

The principle of cutting holes is similar to cutting a hole for the lock or latch itself. There are no differences here. You can use a drill or hammer with a chisel, being careful not to remove excess material. If the markings are done correctly, you will end up with holes into which the lock bolts fit without problems. Now attach the locking plate in accordance with the markings. Special screws are used as fasteners. At this point, the installation of the lock is considered complete, and the door is ready for use.

The final stage of installation work on installing a lock on a wooden door

Now you know how to insert the lock and handle to it. In general, installation of the mechanism is not difficult and can be done independently. Experts recommend that you carefully read the instructions before installing the lock, latch, handle and other mechanisms. This will allow you to understand how to install the lock and handle with the latch correctly, how to avoid problems and ensure long-term operation. If you have problems, you should contact professionals who will quickly correct the situation, providing your home with reliable protection from intruders.

A man should be able to do any housework: nail a shelf, fix a faucet, or cut a lock into a door. All this work requires not only skillful hands, but also knowledge. The following will provide instructions on how to fit the lock into the door correctly. This process is not that complicated, but it does require a certain level of preparation that any home owner should have.

A set of necessary elements for inserting a lock

In order to insert the locking element into the door correctly the first time, without damaging the material or deforming the surface, you need to have the necessary set of tools on hand. You cannot do without a drill or screwdriver, which must have a drilling function. This is necessary in order to make a hole in the door. To cut a hole of the correct shape and size, you will need a set of round bits.

They are well suited for drilling wood. You also need to have a hammer and chisel on hand, with which you can easily sand the hole and place the door closing device in it. In order to take the necessary measurements, you will need a tape measure, ruler or centimeter. To mark the desired points on the surface of the door itself, you can use a simple pencil. To fix the lock, you cannot do without a screwdriver. That's all the basic tools you need to mortise a lock yourself.

Before inserting the closing mechanism, it is necessary to determine its location on the surface of the door. To choose the most convenient position for the lock and handle, you should simply try to open an imaginary door while standing in front of the surface of the door without a lock. At what level the hand is, that’s where you need to make a hole so that opening and closing is simple and comfortable. If there is a child in the family, the lock needs to be installed a little lower so that the child does not experience discomfort when manipulating the lock handle. The place that was determined experimentally must be marked with a pencil directly on the surface of the door. The preparatory work is finished!

Marking the plane to perform the work

The next step in the closure mortising process is to make a hole in the door material. Before drilling, you need to accurately determine the place where the drill bit with the crown should be located. To do this correctly, you need to take the closing mechanism itself and use a tape measure to determine the distance from its visible edge to the hole for the pin, which organizes the entire operation of this device.

It is this distance from the edge of the door that needs to be marked at the height that was previously determined. Once the drilling location has been determined, you need to choose the right bit for the drill.

Proper selection of drill bits is the key to quality work

The main difficulty when choosing a crown for drilling is the correct selection of its diameter. It should be wide enough to accommodate the closing mechanism, but narrow enough that the hole will not be visible from the outside of the latch. To do this, you need to measure the height of the visible part of the latch and subtract a few centimeters from this distance. With such a hole diameter, the mechanism should go inside the door space, but the hole will not be noticeable under the cover of the lock body.

For those who are afraid of making mistakes in their calculations, there are special crowns that are made for making holes for door locks. Typically, such crowns are sold in a set of 2 instruments of different diameters. After the necessary measurements of the hole diameter have been made, you can begin drilling. There is one trick in the drilling process that allows you to produce high-quality work. To do this, you need to drill not on one side, but on both. First we drill one side to the middle, then the other. This will make the hole as even and smooth as possible.

How to cut a hole in the end?

After the hole on the plane has been cut, you should do the same at the end of the door. The mechanism itself for closing the door will be inserted into this space, so you need to make the hole carefully and carefully. The drill bit must be directed so that it is exactly in the middle of the door end. The size of the crown must be selected according to a principle similar to the process of selecting the diameter of the hole on the surface. In order for the lock insert to be considered complete, you need to make one more small touch. It is necessary to make a small recess so that the latch can be completely hidden at the end. If this is not done, it may cling to the door frame, which will create problems with opening the door.

Then you need to insert the closing mechanism into the hole and outline its entire visible part with a simple pencil. After this, the latch can be pulled out. Now you need to scrape out the void inside the door using a chisel. The recess which should result from this work must be sufficient to accurately accommodate the outer plate. This work must be done as carefully as possible, since too much empty space can damage the door, and the mechanism will wobble. Therefore, it is advisable to have experience working with a chisel.

Installing a lock in a hole

When all the holes and recesses are ready, you can move on to the final part - installing the lock. It is very important not to make mistakes. At first it may seem that there is no difference between the sides of the locking device. However, if it is equipped with a stopper, then there is this difference. The lock handles most often actually rotate in both directions, but the stopper only works in one direction. Therefore, it is necessary that it be directed towards the end. The stopper can be operated using a key or a separate latch.

Hole for locking tongue in door jamb

The main thing is not to forget that the hole for the latch tongue should also be on the door jamb. To do it correctly, you need to start taking measurements after the lock has been cut in and the door itself has been hung on its hinges. This hole should be where the tongue meets the door frame. The depth of the hole should be no less than the lock tongue. The most convenient way to make a recess in a door jamb is with a chisel.

Every man should know how to fit a lock inside a door himself.

Of course, many would entrust this task to a professional, but it is always more pleasant to do difficult work yourself. Then the result will bring real pleasure, and the person will gain invaluable experience.

You bought, say, a new interior door and decided to assemble the door frame yourself and install this very door, without any experience. Well, it happens that you have to do some things for the first time. The most important thing here is to take your time and be attentive to what you are doing.

When I had to install interior doors in one of the apartments for the first time, I must admit, while sawing the first frame, I made a mistake. As a result, I had to buy a new box set. Since then, I have been very attentive and careful when performing work on assembling and installing doors.

When sawing door frame elements there is no room for error, you need to remember this. As they say, measure twice - cut once!
So, the door was delivered and has been standing in the corridor, perhaps for the second week. There’s nowhere else to put it off and it’s time to get down to business. A reasonable question arises. Where to start?

Marking the door leaf for insertion

You should start by marking the place on the door leaf where it will be built-in handle with latch. The door leaf is, in fact, the door itself without additional elements, frames, extensions and trim.

First, decide in which direction the door will open; the position of the bevel of the latch tongue will depend on this. Now you need to determine the height at which the door handle will be located. As a rule, the handle is embedded at a height of 90-100 cm from the floor or threshold. There are, of course, no thresholds in the rooms. But in the bathroom or toilet, they are very possible.

In box with door handle, you will almost certainly find instructions with the dimensions by which you need to mark. Often the dimensions are indicated on the box itself. Ordinary handles are almost always installed in the same pattern. Construction tool stores sell special kits for inserting handles into interior door leaves. The set consists of a feather drill with a diameter of 23 mm. and wood crowns with a diameter of 50-54 mm.

So, mark a distance of 95 cm at the end of the door leaf. Using a square, draw a clear line perpendicular to the end of the door leaf. Mark the middle on it and mark it. You can use any sharp object, an awl, a nail or a self-tapping screw. At this point you will need to drill a hole for the latch. But don't rush, it's not time yet!

Need to continue markings for pen, or speaking professionally, for knoba. To do this, you need to extend the line at the end further onto the canvas itself on both sides. This must be done strictly perpendicular to the door leaf, using a square. It would be useful to remind you that the pencil must be sharpened.





Here you should pay attention to one detail. The handle can be positioned at a distance of 60 or 70 mm. from the edge. This can be done using the adjustable latch length design. Decide which distance suits you best and mark the desired distance on both sides of the canvas on the lines drawn earlier.

Please note that on a blank canvas, that is, one that does not have decorative elements in the form of slats, glass, etc., the distance from the edge where the handle will be embedded is not critical. After all, the canvas is absolutely even and smooth. But the presence of decorative inserts can limit the position of the handle. And if you decide to embed the handle at a distance of 70 mm. from the edge of the door leaf, be sure to make sure that the handle does not overlap the decorative elements. Otherwise, make a mark of 60mm. from the edge.

Drilling a hole for the handle

Drills first hole for pen, then for latches. It is more comfortable. Firstly, when you start drilling the end, you will know exactly when to stop, and secondly, all the chips when drilling the end will simply fall down, and you will not need to sweep or blow them out with a vacuum cleaner, which is very inconvenient.

So, take a drill, attach a wood bit (50-54 mm) to the chuck and start drilling from one side, having previously marked the marked point. Do not try to drill through the entire canvas “in one go.” Firstly, the depth of the crown itself will not be enough, and secondly, the teeth of the crown will become clogged with sawdust, the crown will get very hot and burn the wood, and the deeper, the stronger. All we needed was a fire!

Having drilled 4-6 mm, without turning off the drill, pull it towards you, removing the crown from the drilled hole. There is no need to turn on the reverse and generally make sudden movements. Everything should happen smoothly but confidently.

Clean the teeth of the crown from sawdust. Be careful, it can be very hot! It all depends on the material of the door leaf and the degree of its humidity. The denser the material and the moister, the more the crown heats up. But the crown with blunt, ground teeth heats up the most. Never use this! Buy a new one is my advice.

Having cleaned the teeth of the bit, and allowed it to cool if necessary, immerse it in the same place where it was removed some time ago, and continue this important mechanical operation to obtain the hole we need so much. As I already mentioned, the crown, due to its limited depth, will not allow the canvas to pass through. Having drilled halfway, you should go to the other side and repeat the entire operation again. You need to be careful here. When approaching the middle of the canvas, do not press too hard, let yourself enjoy the last seconds of this exciting process! Otherwise, you risk the bit going through and hitting the door leaf hard with the drill. But we don’t want to scratch it or leave a dent, right?

Drilling a hole for the latch

Let's move on to the next stage. We remove the bit from the drill chuck, not forgetting about its elevated temperature. We clamp a feather drill with a diameter of 23 mm into the chuck. Pay attention to the photo. It shows that the drill is stamped with a size of 25 mm. But rest assured, no deception! It’s just that I didn’t have a drill of the required diameter, and I used a 25 mm “perk”, having previously ground its edges with a grinder to the required diameter. Here's a little trick, take note.

You need to drill strictly perpendicular to the end of the door leaf. At first I thought it was very difficult to control. I mean, perpendicularity. But then I realized that it was easy to do, just by observing how smoothly the drill selects the circle. This is especially noticeable at the beginning of drilling, and having gone a little deeper, you can hardly worry that the drill will deviate from the specified course. But this does not mean at all that you can relax and look not at the drill, but at a cat covered in sawdust passing by.





Installing a latch for an interior door

Well then! The drilling of the holes is completed, now you need to recess the latch bar into the end of the door leaf so that it is “flush” with the plane. Professionals do this using a manual milling machine, but not everyone has one, so you will have to work with a hammer and chisel.

Insert the latch into the hole and trace it with a sharpened pencil. To ensure that the strip stays in place while tracing, I usually immediately drill holes for the fastening screws and lightly tighten them, fixing the strip. Having traced the bar, remove the latch and take a chisel. Need I say that the chisel should not just be sharp, but very sharp?!

Installing a lock on an interior door will increase the comfort of your stay. This is very convenient, as it allows you to limit a small child’s access to those rooms where he could disturb adults or get injured. Therefore, cutting into a lock is a fairly common job that almost any homeowner can do.

When performing work on cutting into a lock, you will need the following tools:

  • The lock itself, with a set of handles and bolts
  • Square and pencil
  • Drill
  • Core drill, 5 cm in diameter
  • Spade drill with a diameter of 23 mm
  • Chisel
  • Screwdriver or screwdriver.

Having a full set of tools will allow you to complete all stages of the work quickly and accurately. If something is missing, it is better to ask friends or acquaintances for a tool than to try to do without them, as this will lead to poor quality work and unsatisfactory appearance.

Marking

Usually the handle is located at a height of about a meter from the floor, so it will be convenient for use by people of any height. Therefore, we measure 95 - 100 cm from the bottom edge of the canvas and make a mark. Then, at the selected level, using a square, we mark the centers of future holes. On the end plane the center of the lock will be in the middle, and on the side plane it is necessary to retreat 6 - 10 cm from the edge. This is the place of the future lock and handle.

Drilling

Drilling holes for the lock starts from the end. A feather drill is installed in the drill and a hole about three centimeters deep is drilled exactly at the marked center. This is the place for the lock tongue.

After this, a core drill with a diameter of 5 centimeters is installed in the drill. Use it to drill holes on the sides. If you are not sure that you will be able to drill the hole horizontally, without distortion, then you need to mark it and drill on both sides. In this case, the drilling depth is equal to half the thickness of the door. If everything is done correctly, you will get a round through hole with a diameter of 5 centimeters, which has a side hole with a diameter of 23 millimeters.

Before installing the lock, you must cut out a recess for the latch. To do this, the lock is inserted into the door and the latch plate is outlined with a pencil. Along this contour, using a chisel and hammer, a recess with a depth of approximately 3 - 5 mm is selected, depending on the thickness of the plate. At the same time, a recess for the tongue is cut out on the door jamb according to the size of the special trim. This is where the lock tongue will go and hold the door closed. When both recesses are ready, the lock and recess are fixed to the jamb using the self-tapping screws that usually come with the kit.

Installation of handles

The further process does not cause any difficulties. The handle with screws is put into place first. The screws are unscrewed and the handle is inserted into the lock. To do this, the handle has a special square-section rod, which passes through the corresponding hole in the lock. After that, a second handle is put on this rod on the other side and secured with screws. Then decorative overlays and the handles themselves are put on. This completes the installation process.


After this, all that remains is to remove the debris and tools.

Useful notes

Even if you are confident in your abilities and know how to drill, it is better to work with a core drill from both sides. This will ensure a neat cut and there will be no chips or burrs on the surface of the door that will ruin its appearance.

It is better to drill a recess for the lock in the end of the door after the hole for the handles has been drilled. This way you will be sure that the hole is completely connected to the main one. Otherwise, you may need to drill out a hole for the lock.

When choosing a recess for the lock plate, work must begin with the outline. The entire contour is outlined with gentle blows, and only after this the wood is selected. This will prevent chips and cracks from appearing.

Do not over-tighten the screws on the handles. The fixation should be tight, but not excessive. Otherwise, dents may appear on the surface of the door, spoiling its appearance.

Video How to make a lock on a door

After installation, the question inevitably arises of how to fit a lock into an interior door. The door should close tightly, open easily and fit securely in the opening. All these tasks are easily handled by a lock or latch with a latch.

If possible, it is better to purchase doors with already built-in locks and handles. Otherwise, this issue will have to be resolved by inviting a master or installing locks yourself.

Lock selection

Just like the fittings, the lock should be in harmony with the interior, combined with the texture and color scheme of the decor. This largely depends on the design of the linings and handles.

As for functionality, two types of mechanisms are suitable for interior doors:

  • Mortise lock with or without separately mounted handle.
  • Latch lock. As a rule, it is located in the handle itself and has a round shape.

Recently, installing a magnetic door lock has become popular. Such a device often eliminates the need to install push- or rotary-type handles.

Using the magnetic mechanism is simple, and installing a magnetic lock with your own hands does not require the use of special tools. The installation of a magnetic device is used in cases where it is necessary to ensure quiet operation and complete absence of the risk of being scratched on the tongue or crossbars.

However, installing a lock on an interior door, depending on its type, has its own characteristics.

The thickness of the embedded door device should be no more than a third of the width of the end. It is recommended to work exclusively with well-sharpened tools. It is not recommended to install the lock at the junction of door bars.

Required Tools

To correctly insert a lock into the door with your own hands, you should prepare the appropriate tool:

  • Drill and set of drill bits for wood.
  • Milling cutter, chisel and carpenter's knife.
  • Hammer.
  • File.
  • Screwdriver.
  • Ruler or tape measure, pencil or chalk.


Features of the sidebar

The door material can be very different. Solid wood products are the easiest to work with. The fabric is homogeneous, you can assemble the structure yourself and it is impossible to make a mistake with the insertion location. Wood is more difficult to drill, but the likelihood of errors and flaws when working with your own hands is greatly reduced.

MDF doors are the most problematic in this matter. This is due to the fact that it is very important to hit the power beam, which is located by default at a height of one meter from the floor. But it’s easy to remove the old one and install a new one.

It is not recommended to install a mortise lock on PVC doors yourself. Without good skills and professional tools it is unlikely to succeed. The fact is that mistakes are almost impossible to correct.

To do this, use the same tools plus carbon paper or plasticine. With their help, marks are made on the crossbar on the jamb in the fully closed position of the door.

Lock installation

For do-it-yourself installation, there is a special algorithm or operating technology. To do everything correctly, you need to do the work in the following order:

  • The first step is to dismantle the door. It is necessary to remove the platbands. You will also have to remove the old lock.
  • Then the interior door should be removed from its hinges and placed edge-on on the floor with the hinges down.
  • Then you need to take measurements of the height, thickness and width of the lock body.
  • 100 cm is measured from the lower end of the canvas and a mark is applied. The second is planned from it at a distance equal to the height of the castle.

  • Next, two parallel lines are drawn between the marks in the middle of the end of the blade, spaced from each other by the thickness of the locking product. As a result, at the end of the door you should get a rectangle exactly under the lock body.
  • Now holes are drilled inside our rectangle. The drill bit should be equal to or slightly smaller in diameter than the thickness of the lock body. The first hole is made in the center, and then higher and lower. The depth of the hole should correspond to the width of the lock, but holes are first made one cm deep and then deepened to the desired size.
  • Then the chisel comes into play. With its help, the correct cutout for the lock is formed. In the same way, a separate cutout is made for the handle.
  • Now a cutout is made for the handle and lock on the side of the canvas. The lock body is applied to the blade and the position of the mechanism axis is marked. At this point a cutout is made for a cylinder or keyhole.
  • When all the cutouts are ready, the actual installation process begins. The lock is inserted inside and, after checking the functionality, secured to the door with self-tapping screws. The lining at the end is screwed with self-tapping screws, also included in the kit.
  • The handles are inserted and the linings are screwed on.
  • The door rises and hangs again on its hinges.
  • Then markings are made for the answer on the jamb. The door is closed and the position of the tongue is noted. An overlay is applied and its extreme positions are marked.
  • The cutouts are made in the same way, after which the cover is screwed on with self-tapping screws.


Latch Installation

First, the insertion location is marked. This is done using the paper template supplied in the kit. As a rule, the latch is placed at the intersection of the following lines:

  • Horizontal floor, held at a height of one meter.
  • Vertical, held 6-7 cm from the edge of the canvas. This size depends on the depth of the halyard latch.

You can see the installation in the video:

Then the handle mechanism is inserted and the size of the opening under the lock plate is marked with a pencil. The sample can be made with a chisel. The handle is attached with self-tapping screws.

After this, the parts of the knob are connected with screws and a decorative ring is mounted. Then the door is closed and the position of the strike plate is marked on the jamb. A sample is made on the box for the tongue. A 2 mm cut is made under the rebate strip. Everything is fixed with self-tapping screws.

As you can see, there is nothing supernatural. It is quite possible to install a lock with your own hands if you do everything slowly and carefully. After installation, it makes sense to check the tightness of the fasteners, the fixation of the linings, the handle and the lock body. If all is well, the lock will last a long time.

Requires a minimum set of tools:

  • Drill
  • Chisel 19 mm
  • Crown diameter 50 mm
  • Spade drill 23mm wide
  • Drill bit for wood or metal 4 mm
  • Hammer
  • crosshead screwdriver
  • And a pencil

So, let's start cutting into the lock.

Drill a hole in the center with a 4mm drill bit.

We place the lock flush with the door and make a mark according to the fact

We drill through the hole with the same drill, maintaining a right angle.

Using a 50 mm crown we make a cut on one side of the door.

Attention!

Your specific case may require a different size crown.

Let's finish on the other side.

We take a self-tapping screw of a suitable length, close the door along the door frame and through the 50 mm hole, insert the self-tapping screw into the remaining 4 mm hole and, using pressure, make a mark in the door frame.

Using a 23mm feather drill, we cut a hole at the mark to a depth sufficient for the lock latch to engage.

Using the same drill, we drill a hole for the lock along the mark.

We insert the lock and make a mark with a sharp pencil to recess it into the door leaf.

Using a chisel, we make notches strictly according to the marks and make a selection so that the lock sits in the pocket, then we fasten it with self-tapping screws.

We begin to assemble the lock, insert the outer part into the grooves (as a rule, it does not require disassembly).

Then carefully remove the decorative “cup” sitting in the grooves, then press the latch and remove the handle.

We connect the two sides with screws.

We insert the handle so that the latch operates.

Snap the decorative “cup” into place.

We attach the striker, make a mark, use a chisel to remove the excess and screw it on.

Done!))) A correctly embedded lock closes freely by pressing the door leaf until it slams.

Video explanation for installing the lock

Instructions for installing a door lock (knob)

1.Marking the door



Apply markings on the door leaf to install the knob (lock) according to the template. Recommended distance from the floor is 965 mm.

2.Marking holes

After you have made the markings, drill two holes: 50 mm in diameter for the knob (lock) handle and 23 mm in diameter for the latch mechanism.

H. Installing the strike plate

Install the strike plate at the same height as the latch so that the additional tongue of the latch remains recessed into the body of the latch when closing, which is an obstacle when pressing.

4 Disassembling the knob (lock)

To disassemble the knob (lock), use a special key to press the spring-loaded latch at the place where the handle is attached and remove it.

5. Latch length adjustment

6. Installing the latch

Install the latch into the groove of the door (make sure that the bevel of the latch is directed towards closing the door). Install the cover plate with the rod so that the rod and coupling sleeves fit exactly into the grooves on the latch body.

7. Installing the knob trim(castle)

First, slide the inner jujube cover plate onto the rod and secure it with screws (or screws). Then screw on the outer part of the trim.

8. Handle installation

Install the handle so that the groove on the rod coincides with the groove on the knob handle, press the handle until it “clicks.”

9. Rearranging the mechanism in the halyard handle

For models of latches with a halyard handle (versions 01 and 03), installation is also provided for both left and right doors. To do this, it is necessary to remove the cylinder mechanism and the fixing mechanism from the handle body and swap them (according to the figure), in accordance with the side of the door opening.

Installation procedure.

1. Determine the installation location of the knob and apply markings, following the template and installation instructions.

2. Using the installed latch body, mark the installation location of the strike plate on the door jamb and select a groove for the strike plate.

3.Install the strike plate and secure it with screws.

4. Alternately check the operation of the knob from outside and inside the room.

5. For models of latches with a halyard handle (versions 01.03), installation on left and right doors is also provided. To do this, it is necessary to swap the locking mechanism and the cylinder mechanism from the handle body.

As you can see, fitting a lock into a door is not such a difficult task, the main thing is not to rush.

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Photographer: Vladislav Mazitov