How To Drill A New Hole For The Lock Placed On The Outside?

A hole saw is a crucial tool for drilling clean, accurate holes in door slabs. After squaring over the strike location from the jamb, use the template provided with your new lockset to make center marks for the latch and handle. Drill a pilot hole at the center mark of each. Two important variables when installing a lockset are the height of the knob above the finish floor and the backset—the distance from the center of the knob to the near edge of the door.

The face hole is where the doorknob or lever will be installed. Attach a 2 1/8-inch hole saw bit to your drill and position the drill. Drill the hole for the lockset on the face of the door, working from both sides to prevent splintering. Hold the drill perpendicular to the face of the door and perfectly plumb and level, applying firm, steady pressure. Clamp a thin piece of plywood over the hole on the door, and drill through that, paying special attention to keeping the drill level.

Drill holes for the handle and deadbolt by placing the lock template on the door and checking the size of the hole saw on the template. A hole saw and corded drill will do the job. The center of the hole should be placed 2 ⅜″ or 2 ¾″ from the edge of the door on the line you drew.