Practice installs?

[desert_gold_hound]

Ok I am not really ready to do this yet or even in the near futcher(how ever its spelt) but it has been eating me alive. I have installed doors before and even locks. I have never done it on a professional basis and would know I am going to won’t to build on my skills. I don't necessary wont to build on door framing and installation of new doors as much as drilling holes for locks (never done this all have been pre drilled). So I was wondering if there is there an economical way to do this? I do not have room for full sized doors in my house so that is out of the question.

I have had one thought but don't know if it would work or not. I was thinking I could find an old used door or new one that’s cheap (solid core) and cut it into many little doors and build a small frame for each. Then practice on these. What do you all think?

[lunchb0x]

all you need is a bit of timber 35mm - 40mm thick and 100mm wide, this gives you enough room to install a lock but you will need a vice to hold the wood, or as you said already you can make a frame for it.
alot of tool shops sell lock installation kits with a holesaw and spade bit but you will still need a chisel, how much did you want to spend on tools?

[desert_gold_hound]

all you need is a bit of timber 35mm - 40mm thick and 100mm wide, this gives you enough room to install a lock but you will need a vice to hold the wood, or as you said already you can make a frame for it.
alot of tool shops sell lock installation kits with a holesaw and spade bit but you will still need a chisel, how much did you want to spend on tools?

For this I don't mind paying a couple of hundred down the road but for now I would buy one of the wal-mart cheapies. I think this would improve my skills to start out with a cheapo that doesn't have all the quality of a good one. If I then switch to a good quality set I would have a very easy time after mastering this I think. Am I correct on this assumption?

[lunchb0x]

holesaw and spade bit wont really matter for practacing, but buying good ones wont be much more than getting cheap ones, as for chisels to start of you only really need a 18mm one, then when you get better a 25mm, these will do all the locks you need, but if you get to the stage where your installing mortice locks larger ones will be better, also by reasonablly good ones otherwise they loose there edge quickly

most importantly is keeping them sharp, a bench grinder can be used for the holesaw and spade bit, and an oil stone/ wet stone for the chisels

[RangerF150]

First get the best tools you can, cheap tools will frustrate your attempts and cost you more in the long run.
A good hole saw is not that expensive, not is a good set of chisels.

Fitting a new lock on a new door is easy and I guess a couple of dry runs wont do you any harm.

The problem is replacing locks on an existing door, rarely are they an exact swap out ( at least rare for me !) , and this is where you earn your money!!

It's not something you can practice as each one is different, and quite often involves some level of "hacking" to get it working perfect.

It may be different for your situation, but I mostly fit locks to old doors, warped to bits, hardly close, huge gaps, etc.

Just go for it, take your time, and be prepared to lose some money on the first few as it may take longer than expected.

It's all part of the learning process, enjoy

[desert_gold_hound]

Ok I have a hole saw that is well priced as far as tools go I was thinking the alignment tools that help align everything.

I was thinking more on the lines of installing new deadbolts then anything but your probably right it will be most likely changing locks out on old doors thanks for the advice.

[RangerF150]

I am unaware of any type of tool that will "align" locks or components , I know there is a tool for installing mortice locks that does make life a bit easier.
It's expensive, and one of these days I will get one

I tend to steer clear of "templates" and such, I know Trend do one for door hinges for example.
The time it will take you to set it up, place it on the door, clamp it, set the router up with template guide is well more than the time it takes to do it freehand with a simple router cutter and trim with a chisel. It's less gear to be carrying around also. So really do think twice before you purchase any.

Only tools I use are above mentioned, with lot's of screwdrivers, and bit's and bobs you pick up that come in handy as you go along. I do use a router for hinges, and face plates it's very quick, a half decent router is not expensive and will pay for itself if your hanging lot's of doors.

A good set of chisels are essential !!

Whatever length of time you think it will take you, double it and your not going to be far off the mark

[desert_gold_hound]

I have a router its a couple year old "SEARS" brand. I think that its pretty good quality. My girl friend loves garage sales. I can get all kinds of neat stuff.

I will look for a link on one of the tools I am talking about. However it doesn't sound like I need one.

[Jryanruch]

To help avoid splinters, I find it is better to drill through 2/3 of the way in one direction, and then finish by drilling through from the other side.. A marking tool for aligning the latch with your strike plate can be useful too -- unless your eyes are accustomed to straight lines (mine are not).

[desert_gold_hound]

Here is the link to the type of tools I was talking about.

http://www.taylorsecurity.com/store/ite ... NT_ID=1126

I don't see strait myself. Defiantly need templates

[2octops]

Here's how we train new folks for prepping wood doors for installing locks.

Visit your friendly local lumber yard and get a couple of 6' 2x6 boards.

Get yourself one of these



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YUPPO/ref=olp_product_details/103-3022346-2333404?ie=UTF8&seller=

Most hardware stores have self centering punches also. They are cheap and a life saver when it comes to getting the screws started in the center of the hold for strike plates.



http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-58-013-Self-Centering-Screw-Punch/dp/B00002X1YB

Don't forget a quality 1-1/8" chisel. Rarely will you need a different size in the USA. Find a hammer, drill, #2 Phillips screw driver and a pair of safety glasses.

Start at one end of a board and install the lock. Use the edge of the other board to cut out for the strike and mount the strike plate.

Move down a few inches and do it again.

Once you have made both boards look like swiss cheese, you will be ready.

[2octops]

Metal doors are a different animal completely.

[desert_gold_hound]

WOW that is the identical tool I was looking at (Patting myself on the back...Yea I am goooooood).

Will get the punch and chisel.

GOOD idea on the practice board TY TY TY very much very helpful. Like I said I am not doing this right away but had a curiosity (I know it killed the cat).

By the way I have to rub this in. I FOUND IT CHEAPER NENER NENER NENER (Just Kidding).

I really appreciate the help everyone. I will go ahead and get the good quality parts. Thanks very much to all of you.

Metal doors are a different animal completely.

So what do you use for metal doors?

[Chucklz]

You can get a rather inexpensive template "kit" from home despot or similar. Made by Black and Decker and plastic. Probably good for a few installs, but certainly not professional quality.

[mojomojo]

Since we want to go the "economical" route now... My suggestion is to go to home depot or lowes and get the lock installing template from DeWalt. it about $30..the good thing about this one is that it clamps on to the door by turning a knob just like the expenisve ones and unlike the cheaper this means it hold stronger especailly when you come across the doors with existing smaller diameter holes which you can't enlarge it w/o having the holesaw doing donuts on the frame unless something its holding it steady.........If you are doing mortice it is smart to get the templates which you cant fimd priced under 200 but can be done w/o if you are extra carefull......having sharp wood chisels are very important b/c this reduces the enegry you put in chisling and avoids unwanted splinting on the door...


as far as practicing go to the hardware store and buy the same size wood that you see they use for thier display locks and clamp on to something a "vua la" your own practice station. And I guess you can learn aligining the strikeout in the field