covering old screw holes

[tiger2]

Hi, any tips to cover screwholes when u change a mortice lock or upgrade, sometime the handle changes position and u see the old screw holes, any way to make this look neater?

[Rickthepick]

wood filler?

or maybe fitting a like for like lock is a better option saves a lot of messing around

[Evan]

Hi, any tips to cover screwholes when u change a mortice lock or upgrade, sometime the handle changes position and u see the old screw holes, any way to make this look neater?

Two ways...

(1.) Make sure the lockset you are using as a replacement has a large escutcheon so it can cover the old holes if you have to alter the door prep for the new lock... There are "upgrade" kits made by a few companies which have large escutcheon plates and lever trim handles so you can upgrade a knob set to an accessible lock which is ADA compliant...

(2.) You can install a wraparound or scar plate on the door before you install the new lock case and trim...

Are the locks in question really old/discontinued ? I am curious why you would replace one type of mortise lock with another one, as replacing a lock with the same one will usually allow all of the mounting holes to line up...

~~ Evan

[tiger2]

Hi, any tips to cover screwholes when u change a mortice lock or upgrade, sometime the handle changes position and u see the old screw holes, any way to make this look neater?

Two ways...

(1.) Make sure the lockset you are using as a replacement has a large escutcheon so it can cover the old holes if you have to alter the door prep for the new lock... There are "upgrade" kits made by a few companies which have large escutcheon plates and lever trim handles so you can upgrade a knob set to an accessible lock which is ADA compliant...

(2.) You can install a wraparound or scar plate on the door before you install the new lock case and trim...

Are the locks in question really old/discontinued ? I am curious why you would replace one type of mortise lock with another one, as replacing a lock with the same one will usually allow all of the mounting holes to line up...

~~ Evan

hi, thanks, yes they were 1970's 2 lever locks in a bed and breakfast i had to replace with 3 lever locks. so the spindle was slightly different position.

[nostromo]

If the budget is low, Rick the Picks woodfiller is the way to go. Takes a bit of artistry to blend color with woodfiller crayons to match the surrounding wood. Scar plate prices are just unbeleivable these days. Great product, they do the job well, but the price for what they are seems kinda high. But I'm a cheapskate.