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Paul
Lv 6

Deadbolt installation in hollow steel door?

I bought a standard deadbolt lock to install in my exterior steel door (edges also are steel). On drilling pilot holes for the deadbolt I find that there is NO WOOD in the the door. It is completely hollow except for insulation. How should I proceed?

4 Answers

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  • chris
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    I do not envy you!

    I have done many in the distant past and try to avoid such things in the present.

    You will find that if you are using a regular hole saw, the center hole is going to oval by the time you get through and this will cause the saw to walk around a bit. It's really going to look ugly by the time you do both sides so I would plan ahead by having a ring to go around the lock or a lock with a wide lip that will cover the imperfections. Once you get it all drilled out, you may find that the door will tend to squish as you tighten the screws holding the deadbolt body. You can maybe cut a chunk of wood to slip into the hole and slide it to one side to prevent this. Good luck.

  • paul h
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    Just mark where you need the holes to line up for the deadbolt parts and drill through both sides of the door and door edge with appropriate size metal cutting hole saws.Make sure to check the backspacing of the lock. Drill pilot holes on both sides first if needed so they line up correctly on both sides. Use self tapping screws for metal to hold the part of the bolt in the door edge...drill pilot holes for them. Dewalt and others offer kits that come with hole saws and an alignment jig....sold at home centers

    http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Door-Lock-Instal...

  • 5 years ago

    Tap a thread in the steel and fix the lock with machine screws.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    proceed with your dick in a grinder till your family find out your a disgusting piece of ****

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