How To Change An Antique Door Lock

How to repair an old fashioned door lock mechanism.

How to change an antique door lock.

Without proper lubrication locks. Replace any obviously broken pieces and lubricate the entire interior of the. This mortise lock set is installed in a 1930 colonial in the boston area. Rekeying involves realigning the pins and springs in the inner workings of the lock in.

In apartment complexes this is now the most common way of changing locks on a door. On a replacement set with a one piece exterior escutcheon that holds both the lock cylinder and latch the spread must match the holes exactly. Paint over the block to match the rest of the doorjamb. Install the door plate with two screws and test the lock to make sure it works.

Door locks and knobs are full of moving metal parts that need to be kept lubricated to work properly. I decided to replace all the inferior knobs with schlage locks and have them all keyed to match our front door schlage handleset. Remove the interior knob and thumb turn lock hardware to expose the holes in the door. Meet the mortise lock and door knobs.

This screw should hold the knob securely to the spindle when you turn the knob. Most locksmiths can also cut antique keys to fit the old lock you are having restored or repaired. It is only when antique locks are falling apart due to a separate issue. Notice the set screw on the base of the knob on the right.

For antique vintage locks find a locksmith in your area. Install your new lock then the doorknob and mark on the doorjamb where your matching strike plate should go so it will perfectly line up with the new lock on the door. A skilled locksmith will be able to make a key by hand some can even make a key just from a picture. Measure from the center of the knob hole to the center of the lock hole to determine the spread.