Prev: New Listing
Next: Lights Flickering/Pulsing in Various Rooms - Electricians, Others ?- ?Is This Serious?
From: tforms1 on 15 Dec 2008 13:04
I've decided to try and fix the locks on my door to my apartment.
But since I have little skill in this area, I come to you all for some
help.

I have two locks on my door.
1. Top lock is a deadbolt - but its very loose, not the bolt, but the
lock itself.
The screws holding it to the door are falling out, and when I tried to
tighten them, they just keep turning and turning...so the wood in the
door must be stripped or the hole for the screws in the door is too
big.

2. The bottom lock, is not a real lock. Its a door knob with a key
hole, and on the inside I just turn a switch on the knob from
horizontal to vertical. (to lock it)
Basically a lock like the ones for a bathroom in a restaurant.

So, how can I fix the two locks?
Lock 1 - I assume, I remove the lock, and then fix the holes and then
just screw the lock back on? How do I fix the holes? I have no
tools, other than some screwdrivers and a hammer =(

Lock 2 - its not broken, but the lock is very flimsy.
I don't think I can put a "real" lock in...because that would mean I
have to cut a hole in the door and put the lock there...right?
Is there an easy way for me to install a more secure lock, with just
some simple tools?

Thanks!
From: GregS on 15 Dec 2008 13:56
In article <21bdce07-a7a5-40f9-b226-b599ed4ff981(a)17g2000vbf.googlegroups.com>, tforms1(a)yahoo.com wrote:
>I've decided to try and fix the locks on my door to my apartment.
>But since I have little skill in this area, I come to you all for some
>help.
>
>I have two locks on my door.
>1. Top lock is a deadbolt - but its very loose, not the bolt, but the
>lock itself.
>The screws holding it to the door are falling out, and when I tried to
>tighten them, they just keep turning and turning...so the wood in the
>door must be stripped or the hole for the screws in the door is too
>big.
>
>2. The bottom lock, is not a real lock. Its a door knob with a key
>hole, and on the inside I just turn a switch on the knob from
>horizontal to vertical. (to lock it)
>Basically a lock like the ones for a bathroom in a restaurant.
>
>So, how can I fix the two locks?
>Lock 1 - I assume, I remove the lock, and then fix the holes and then
>just screw the lock back on? How do I fix the holes? I have no
>tools, other than some screwdrivers and a hammer =(

Depends on where the screws go. Most seem to have backing plates.
Might just need to replace the whole thing.

>Lock 2 - its not broken, but the lock is very flimsy.
>I don't think I can put a "real" lock in...because that would mean I
>have to cut a hole in the door and put the lock there...right?
>Is there an easy way for me to install a more secure lock, with just
>some simple tools?


I would buy a whole new replacement, one with a key klock.
Most of this stuff tends to be universal fit, but not always.
You can buy a cheap $10 main door lock at The Home Depot.

greg
From: WDS on 15 Dec 2008 13:58
On Dec 15, 12:04 pm, tfor...(a)yahoo.com wrote:
> Lock 1 - I assume, I remove the lock, and then fix the holes and then
> just screw the lock back on?  How do I fix the holes?  I have no
> tools, other than some screwdrivers  and a hammer =(

You can fill them with some kind of wood putty. But you might want to
consider something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Around-Security-Plate-Thickness-Polished/dp/B000KL045K

There are a bunch of similar products undoubtedly available at your
local hardware store.

You also want to put in security strike plates (which is what the bolt
part of the deadblot goes into) which have very long screws.

> Lock 2 - its not broken, but the lock is very flimsy.
> I don't think I can put a "real" lock in...because that would mean I
> have to cut a hole in the door and put the lock there...right?
> Is there an easy way for me to install a more secure lock, with just
> some simple tools?

Because you are in an apartment your options may be limited. if it's
OK with your landlord to replace the locks go talk to a real locksmith
and see what they suggest for good security locks and hardware.
From: Don Phillipson on 15 Dec 2008 14:08
<tforms1(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:21bdce07-a7a5-40f9-b226-b599ed4ff981(a)17g2000vbf.googlegroups.com...

> 1. Top lock is a deadbolt - but its very loose, not the bolt, but the
> lock itself.
> The screws holding it to the door are falling out, and when I tried to
> tighten them, they just keep turning and turning...so the wood in the
> door must be stripped or the hole for the screws in the door is too big.

Provided the wood is good, this is cured fastest by replacing
the screws. Take one to a hardware store and buy screws
visibly thicker and 1 cm. longer (but not so long as to pierce
the far side of the door.)

> 2. The bottom lock, is not a real lock. Its a door knob with a key
> hole, and on the inside I just turn a switch on the knob from
> horizontal to vertical. (to lock it) . . . - its not broken, but the lock
is very flimsy.
> I don't think I can put a "real" lock in...because that would mean I
> have to cut a hole in the door and put the lock there...right?

"Key in knob" locks are not regarded as secure (by police,
insurance agents etc.) It would be best to have a locksmith
instal a reliable lock. If you cannot afford this, study handyman
manuals in the library to see how this is done and what tools
are needed (e.g. chisel for striker plate, hole cutter for the door.)
You might be able to reuse the existing hole through the door,
i.e. cut no more. Locks are sold with paper templates that
show you exactly where to cut and align the parts, and 10
min. library study will equip you to assess your own door.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)


From: aemeijers on 15 Dec 2008 21:19
tforms1(a)yahoo.com wrote:
> I've decided to try and fix the locks on my door to my apartment.
> But since I have little skill in this area, I come to you all for some
> help.
>
> I have two locks on my door.
> 1. Top lock is a deadbolt - but its very loose, not the bolt, but the
> lock itself.
> The screws holding it to the door are falling out, and when I tried to
> tighten them, they just keep turning and turning...so the wood in the
> door must be stripped or the hole for the screws in the door is too
> big.
>
> 2. The bottom lock, is not a real lock. Its a door knob with a key
> hole, and on the inside I just turn a switch on the knob from
> horizontal to vertical. (to lock it)
> Basically a lock like the ones for a bathroom in a restaurant.
>
> So, how can I fix the two locks?
> Lock 1 - I assume, I remove the lock, and then fix the holes and then
> just screw the lock back on? How do I fix the holes? I have no
> tools, other than some screwdrivers and a hammer =(
>
> Lock 2 - its not broken, but the lock is very flimsy.
> I don't think I can put a "real" lock in...because that would mean I
> have to cut a hole in the door and put the lock there...right?
> Is there an easy way for me to install a more secure lock, with just
> some simple tools?
>
> Thanks!

Lean on the landlord. Most get very fussy if tenants mess with the
locks, especially if the keys are different. A decent landlord will take
care of it without bitching- a secure front door is one of the things
they promise in the lease- that paragraph about keeping the place in
good repair.

--
aem sends...
 |  Next  |  Last
Pages: 1 2 3
Prev: New Listing
Next: Lights Flickering/Pulsing in Various Rooms - Electricians, Others ?- ?Is This Serious?