Replace door deadbolt
#1
Replace door deadbolt
Do deadbolts come in different sizes? I thought I could just run up to my big box store and get one off the shelf. It won't fit. It's too big
#2
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I'm not sure what you have or how old it is. Is it a double cylinder dead bolt where a key is needed on both sides or does it have a flip lock on the inside? Is the hole in the door 2 3/8" ?
If there is glass in the door, a flip lock is worthless because the glass can be broken & the lock can be opened.
If there is glass in the door, a flip lock is worthless because the glass can be broken & the lock can be opened.
#5
Some (most?) locks come with a small adapter plate. Normal/common bore size is 2 1/8" with a 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" backset. The backset is adjustable.
The adapter plate will allow install on bores as small as 1 1/2".
This is just one link that showed up, not a brand recommendation, but read the more information section.
You really need to measure the bore diameter and backset from the edge to get the right item.
The adapter plate will allow install on bores as small as 1 1/2".
This is just one link that showed up, not a brand recommendation, but read the more information section.
You really need to measure the bore diameter and backset from the edge to get the right item.
#6
Darn. I was hoping for a quick fix. For some reason the part that turns the bolt doesn't work. I think I'm just trying to do too many things at once. Last weekend was the beginning of the bath demo and I'm trying to get the dust contained from that. Yeah right.
I think I might just nail the door shut and see about getting a new one and have it installed with the hardware.
I need to calm down and regroup here.
What's in there is a Schlage. I have the door almost ready to paint so I wanted to just temporarily put something cheap but sorta safe in until I could install the new pretty hardware I got to go with the new paint.. I got a Defiant Deadbolt for now. I don't know one brand from another and thought all door locks would be the same size.
The latch part is too big to go in on the side of the door and the cylinder part is too big also.
I think I might just nail the door shut and see about getting a new one and have it installed with the hardware.
I need to calm down and regroup here.
What's in there is a Schlage. I have the door almost ready to paint so I wanted to just temporarily put something cheap but sorta safe in until I could install the new pretty hardware I got to go with the new paint.. I got a Defiant Deadbolt for now. I don't know one brand from another and thought all door locks would be the same size.
The latch part is too big to go in on the side of the door and the cylinder part is too big also.
#7
Well, without exact measurements, we are guessing. My guess is that you have a 3/4" inch edge bore and a 1 1/2" cross bore, though that would be odd for the homes age. More common is 1" and 2 1/8" in modern homes.
Sorry, my link didn't show, probably fat fingered it. Here's another with good info from a locksmith site.
An Overview of Cylindrical Deadbolts | Locksmith Ledger
Just for info...Defiant is the cheapest...almost as bad as Dollar store stuff. Kwikset is ok in upper ranges, Schlage is better and there are many much higher and secure...though of course more $$$.
Almost every brand has cheap and just ok levels, some only make quality, but you pay for it.
Btw...I think your terms are off a bit. The cylinder is what you put the key in in the knob or outer housing.
Sorry, my link didn't show, probably fat fingered it. Here's another with good info from a locksmith site.
An Overview of Cylindrical Deadbolts | Locksmith Ledger
Just for info...Defiant is the cheapest...almost as bad as Dollar store stuff. Kwikset is ok in upper ranges, Schlage is better and there are many much higher and secure...though of course more $$$.
Almost every brand has cheap and just ok levels, some only make quality, but you pay for it.
Btw...I think your terms are off a bit. The cylinder is what you put the key in in the knob or outer housing.
#8
Most, if not all, of the good brands now are made to fit both 1 1/2" bore (which it sounds like you have) and 2 1/8" bore (same size as for a door knob. The really cheap brands, like defiant, will usually only fit the 2 1/8" bore. The latch should be a standard size. Do you mean it is too big to fit in the diameter of the hole, or does it bottom out, and stick out from the door because it cant go in all the way. If the latter is the case, you have a 2 3/8" backset, and your latch is currently set to 2 3/4". This should be adjustable on any latch. Read the directions for that particular lock, and it will tell you how to adjust it.
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#10
KW - the latch is too big to fit in the hole. House was built in 1958 so it's an oldie.
You're right I don't know the terms. I was trying to look at a quick guide to explain myself but it didn't work.
Sounds like I need to get off the cheap thing and get something decent that will cover the smaller dimensions I'm looking for. Maybe at my local big box store?
Could it be as easy as that?
You're right I don't know the terms. I was trying to look at a quick guide to explain myself but it didn't work.
Sounds like I need to get off the cheap thing and get something decent that will cover the smaller dimensions I'm looking for. Maybe at my local big box store?
Could it be as easy as that?
#12
Oh, I mis-read...I thought the house was only 15 y/o. A house that age would probably have 1 1/2 cross bore and 3/4" edge bore.
Yes, you can find something to fit if you move up a bit. A Kwikset would prob work...just read the specs.
Yes, you can find something to fit if you move up a bit. A Kwikset would prob work...just read the specs.
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#16
S/O came over this morning and somehow got it all back together. It had something to do with the cylinder. it had come apart from the housing (?) At least I think that's what it was. Bottom line is that it's working now. And I won't paint the door and put the new hardware on until I figure out about how the new hardware is going to fit.
Thank you all so much for your help. I will be referring back here for the next part.
Thank you all so much for your help. I will be referring back here for the next part.
#17
I think it is possible that the lock on a 1958 door could be a Dexter (By Schlage). Many of the cylinder cross bore holes for early Dexter locks, used 1-1/4" cross bore holes. The edge hole is 1" standard across virtually all brands of deadbolts.
Schlage dedbolts use a removable tailpiece that just sits in the back of the cylinder. Often these tailpieces come out, causing the lock to not operate. Just put the tailpiece back in and screw the lock back on.
Schlage dedbolts use a removable tailpiece that just sits in the back of the cylinder. Often these tailpieces come out, causing the lock to not operate. Just put the tailpiece back in and screw the lock back on.
Last edited by Shadeladie; 04-08-15 at 01:05 PM. Reason: Removed unwarranted remarks
#18
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Global is correct in that deadbolts of that era would tolerate crossbores as small as 1-1/4", altho 1-1/2" was most common.
Older edgebores could have been as small as 3/4" but most were 7/8" and today 7/8" is common for residential while commercial is 1".
At least in these parts, at any rate.
Older edgebores could have been as small as 3/4" but most were 7/8" and today 7/8" is common for residential while commercial is 1".
At least in these parts, at any rate.