How to Install a Dead Bolt Lock

with General contractor Tom Silva, This Old House television

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Dead bolt with mounting template
2. Felt-tip pen
used to transfer dead bolt position to doorjamb

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Drill/driver
- Speed square
  used to ensure drill is square when boring holes
- Hole saw
  used to bore hole in door face
- Spade bit
  used to bore hole in door edge
- Utility knife
  used to score mortise outline
- Hammer
- Chisel
  used to chop out mortises
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In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to install a dead bolt lock.

Steps:

1 Position paper template on door edge; mark center holes on face and edge.
2 Drill face hole using hole saw; drill from both sides to prevent splintering.
3 Drill edge hole with spade bit.
4 Insert dead bolt into edge hole and mark its outline.
5 Chisel out mortise for dead bolt.
6 Screw dead bolt to edge of door.
7 Screw dead bolt mechanism to door, with keyed cylinder on the outside and turn lever on inside.
8 Mark end of dead bolt with felt-tip pen.
9 Close the door, throw bolt to leave mark on doorjamb.
10 Use strike plate to mark dead bolt hole on doorjamb.
11 Drill dead bolt hole in jamb with spade bit.
12 Use utility knife to mark mortise outline for strike plate.
13 Cut strike plate mortise with chisel.
14 Set strike plate in jamb mortise and secure with long screws.
15 Close door and test dead bolt.