binding lock

[bpc293]

i have a lock on a door thats really hard to open i mean with a key. over the years i have changed the lock a few times and its always the same i have to keep the dead bolt screws kinda loose so the lock is not so tight on the door you can kinda move the body with your hand. i am guessing who ever drilled the holes for the lock drilled them off center does this sound right. i dont think the tail piece is to long. i am thinking about just useing my jig to drill new holes and put a second lock on the door.

[mh]

i am guessing who ever drilled the holes for the lock drilled them off center does this sound right.

You could put a piece of tape on the hole, then place some clay (or similar material) there, and check where the bolt makes an impression - that way you will find out.

[bpc293]

i will try that thanks. i took a closer look at the hinges there not perfect but not real bad. i think that trick should tell all thanks again.

[raimundo]

if pressure is on the bolt, its a bad installation, opening up the strike hole may help. put lipstic on the bolt, close the door and lock it, then open it and look for where the lipstic indicates a strong binding on the strike plate. I use lipstick for all my installation checks, I even use it to center the strike hole before drilling, Yeah, I know that all you locksmiths have the clamp on installation jigs, lipstick is handier to carry around.

[mh]

The other thing that's very handy and small is a bit of 'mounting putty' (or 'removable adhesive putty').
Very useful stuff for making impressions on the frame, door, or whatever the 'other side' is;
also for temporarily holding the strike plate while marking the drill points, etc.

I recently had to mount dozen of child safety locks on furniture doors and drawers, and that stuff helped a lot.