How To Drill Out A Door Lock?

How To Drill Out A Door Lock? If your lock needs a little or a lot of help to work like new, you have come to the right place. This tutorial will teach you how to drill out your door lock for cheap and have it look like new in no time at all. All you will need is a repair screwdriver and some mild steel drill bits.

Read on – How To Drill Out A Door Lock?

Preparation

If the lock has been damaged, it is best to find out what caused the damage before attempting to fix it. If it was most likely just an impact from someone slamming on the door, drilling out a few screws should make all the difference in the world.

If there has been extensive damage, fixable or not, it’s best to find out what is wrong before trying to remove the lock completely for repairs.

Alternatively, if the lock just needs a little help to work like new, a few well-placed holes can do the trick. While this process is used on hardened steel, the bits will not be able to handle this. You need to be careful when drilling not to push it too hard or you will break or bend the bit.

When working on locks that have been severely damaged you may also want to use fuel on them as well as a lubricant for added speed and effectiveness.

How To Drill Out A Door Lock?

Step 1

The first step in this process is to remove the screws on the lock that are holding it in place, only enough to remove the lock, not all screws. If you have a key cut, do not use it. If the lock is stubborn and needs some help, you may need to get a bit handier with your screwdriver.

Step 2

This step can be done before or after removing the screws, but it’s best done immediately before inserting the drill bits. This will prevent the drill bit from getting stuck or fouled in the lock.

Step 3

Before putting the drill bits in, you can lubricate them with a thin layer of oil, whether it is WD40 or some other type of oil. It is not necessary to use any type of lubricant while drilling out the lock, but sometimes it helps. Always remember that drilling through hardened steel may cause bits to fail. If this happens, you will need to get more bits to finish off fixing the lock.

Step 4

Now that the bits have a layer of lubricant on them, you can use the screwdriver to put them where you wish. If you have a key cut or keyhole in the lock, slide it in and start drilling. Before you drill, however, make sure that you alternate between clockwise and counter-clockwise to prevent over-tightening any one part of the drill bit.

Step 5

Once drilling is finished and all of the bits are out of your lock, carefully remove them from your door frame. It’s always a good idea to save screws, too. If they look safe to use, you can put them back on the lock after it has been drilled and all work is complete.

Step 6

Before putting your lock back into the door frame and screwing it up, make sure that the keyhole is clear of all debris. When you put your lock back in, apply some Threadlocker or some other type of thread locking compound to prevent screws from popping out in the future.

Note: Some people may use a drill press for this, but it is not necessary to drill the lock out. It just makes it easier to hit the same spot every time and cut down on the possible damage that you may do.

FAQS

How to avoid damage from drilling out a lock

It is best to use the least amount of force necessary when drilling into a lock. The harder you push, the more likely it is that you will deform the bit, or break it altogether. When drilling out a lock, it is best to drill just enough so that the keyhole is split open and then stop.

After that, work on getting your bits deep enough so that you can stick them in with little effort but also without having them go all the way through.

What if I use the wrong bits?

There are many different bits available for working on locks of all sorts. The most common ones that people use include:

• Drill Bits – These allow you to drill into the lock without doing any extra damage to the surrounding area.
• Punch Bits – These can be used to open locks instead of drilling them out by simply punching a hole in them.
• Bits with teeth – This is also a good alternative that can be used instead of drilling out your lock.

How to fix a lock without drilling out the lock?

It’s possible, but it’s a bit more difficult than it sounds. If you want to do it, you’ll need to get an extra watch key. You will also need the key from the deadbolt.

It’s a good idea to have this in addition to the keys to your door because after you have cut off one or two of the deadbolts it’s going to take a lot more time and effort until you find out if your lock is going to be drilled.

How long does it take to drill out a lock?

It takes about 10 minutes per lock once you have the right equipment. The time it takes to gather all of the tools, on the other hand, takes much longer. Make sure that you have everything ready before starting so that you don’t lose any time in between.

How To Drill Out A Door Lock? – Conclusion

When it comes to door lock replacement, drilling out a lock is one of the most effective and practical ways to unlock your home. So, before calling a locksmith or spending money on new locks, give the different DIY options a try and you may be surprised with the results!

Drilling out a lock may seem like a difficult and daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right equipment, you can do this job with ease.