How to Drill Front Doors
Installing door handles and locks on new doors usually requires drilling the holes for them. Most front doors are made from wood, although some have a thin metal outer skin. Drilling front doors without possibly damaging one side of the door involves drilling on both sides rather than simply drilling through on one side. The metal-cutting drill bits and hole saws you'll need for this project are available at home improvement centers.
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Tape the template of your lock set or deadbolt to the door according to the manufacturer's instructions. Mark the centers of the holes you want to drill with an awl.
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Drill an 1/8-inch pilot hole through the door at the center mark. If your front door has a metal exterior skin, use a steel-cutting drill bit. The bit will cut through the steel and the interior wood.
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Insert the appropriate-size hole saw into the drill. Hole saws have a drill bit in the center. Place the drill bit over the pilot hole and drill halfway through the door. If you're drilling through a metal skin door, use a hole saw designed for cutting through metal.
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Reposition the drill to the opposite side of the door and finish drilling the hole. The "plug" will come out with the hole saw.
Tips
- Drill holes for the latch bolt in the same manner.
Writer Bio
Kenneth Crawford is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. His work has appeared in both print and online publications, including "The American Chronicle." Crawford holds an associate degree in business administration from Commonwealth College.
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