Mortise Locks Created by M.Martin 9/05

Types - your Ref: P45 of textbook

Review parts of a mortise lock on P 46 of textbook

Installing the lock

Hold the lock at the required height Mark edges of lock as a guide on face of door Also mark height of spindle position and keyhole if a lock set

Use a square and bring these lines to door edge Continue lines around door edge to show the position for mortise

Find centre of door edge Mark a central guide line down the door edge Width of lock can bee marked on edge from here

You can use a combination square to gauge depth for spindle hole If mortise lock has a cover plate, allowance must be made for this

Transfer measurement to door face Mark both sides of door At this stage you can also use same process to mark keyhole on face, if applicable

Wedge bottom of door tight Use an auger or speed bore to drill bulk of mortise Ensure you keep the drill level

Either now or on completion of mortise, drill spindle and key holes Drill from both sides so that you don’t split the timber on the door

Complete mortise with a chisel Use appropriate sized mortise chisel for this A paring or firmer chisel to clean final edges

Push lock into hole Check if square Check spindle and key holes are aligned Trace face plate with sharp pencil

Remove lock Carefully chisel correct size of plate Remember if cover plates are being used, this will be deeper

Reposition lock Face plate should be flush with door Or place cover plate plate over, this being flush Screw into position, pilot drill holes first

Finish lock screwed into position

Fitting The Lever Handles

Initially position spindle through door Check positioning is free from obstruction

Fit one handle on, hold in the correct position Use a bradawl to position screw holes

Remove handle Pilot hole first

Position handle & screw in place Fit screws to ensure handles stay level Top corner, then diagonally opposite bottom corner etc Repeat process for other side

Fitting Striking Plate

Close door onto jamb Use pencil to mark top & bottom of latch & lock on jamb Accuracy is very important

Open door continue marks around onto the face of the jamb

With door open, measure depth of latch & lock A combination square is good for this

Transfer depth measurement onto face of jamb With vertical lines between previous marks

Hold strike plate in position Mark around plate to give exact position

Chisel out inside the latch and lock guidelines and the external guideline for the strike plate. Position the strike plate, drill pilot holes and then screw it in place