How to fit a tubular mortice latch and keep.

Amateur

Thank you for this video and the lever fitting vid, helped me no end, especially the jig. I also learned the hard way how important it is to properly pre drill latch and keep holes. I managed to snap the head off one, in the door and then one got stuck before it was fully home. Lesson learnt and job done. Thank you ✌️

i have a very similar technique.. but i definitely picked up a very good tip on measuring the latch depth for the receiver plate.. well done,😀 very good you tube video

I'd never even used a wood chisel until yesterday. I fitted my first L&K and I rushed in and I made a right pigs ear of it.
Today after watching this video decided to make my second attempt on another one. It wasn't 100% perfect, but it was 50x better than yesterdays disaster. Thanks for taking to time to show not just to how to complete the task, but how to also make a great job of it!

Have you got a video of you fitting a round bathroom privacy lock by any chance! Thank you for the video's..very helpful 😊.

What size of a drill bit do you use?

Hi. Thanks for the vid. Was that a 22mm Auger drill bit?

Thanks for a very instructional video. Do you use the same augur bit for spindle and latch holes, if so, can you tell me what size please?

Excellent video; thanks for taking the time to post.

Love it, Del! My old mortise gauge got pinched in Wrexham's notorious Queen's/Caia Park so I bit the bullet and bough a Veritas (don't ask how much!) wheeled-cutter mortise gauge which I used in place of the Stanley knife up and down the grain - much quicker, much more accurater, much more funner. Excuse the spelling, I'm ill-educated.

I like the idea of drilling the spindle holes first, but when it comes to the latch plates I like to use a trim router and an 18mm bit to take out the bulk of the material and then clean up with the chisel. (Steady hand) Removes the guess work with trying to achieve plate depth, I've also been experimenting with the Souber Latch Jig. Allows you to drill two 23mm holes overlapping each other for the latch body, it is very square and has a depth stop. Also you don't have to square up the hole afterwards with a chisel.

Great video though, I watch your stuff all the time. Really enjoy the content! Thanks for another one.

Brilliant chippie great videos

Nice approach. How long did it take you as an apprentice and how long does it take you now do a job like this?

Nice work

This helped me tonight

This helped me tonight

Hi Dell, did you happen to mention what size auger bits you used to drill out the latch and handle? Cheers Dell

Hi Dell, great job as always. I have always used a router plane to recess my face plates/keeps or receivers. Found it to be a great way to get an accurate depth every time minus the mess when using an electric router.
If you were doing this on a rebated door frame, how would you deminstrate how to use a router on the keeps?
Cheers

Great video thanks
Could I use a Forstner bit instead of an Auger for the lock barrel?

Quick question on this, when measuring the latch depth from the front, is that better than measuring to the back?
I don’t like rattly doors which in my mind is more likely measuring from the front…
Just a thought.

I'm an occastional DIY'r. I have minimal chisel skills, but I followed your instructons the very best I could to install my latch. I especially like the tip about scewing the latch on backwards and outlining around the plate with a utility knife. I was very careful and it took me a loooong time, but it came out nicely. (At first I thought I chipped some of the thin edge wood, but it was only paint! [whew!]) So, thank you for doing this! 👍

Another very helpful video. A question though - I am about to fit 8 of these exact doors. I had been thinking of lining up the location of the handle and mortice latch with the cut out and keep for the existing latch, so I wouldn't have to repair/fill the old keep/cut-out. Obviously with your job you had a plain, untouched frame, so there was no problem, but I have existing keeps. Would that be a goer i.e., to line the mortice latch up with the old keep, or would it be problematical and potentially a disaster? Cheers.

What type of drill bit is that! I've tried a flat one and another one which cut jabbed when it was deep in the door. Yours looks it clears out the did debris as you drill. Wouldn't mind getting one but can't find one so need to know name of type of bit. Thanks

Hey I'm a carpenter of 20 years. It's nice to see someone with good technique. I always use a knife where possible on finer work. One thing I have learnt is using the marking guage to make extra sure with the marking of the latch plate. With real poor quality fittings you might even have to avoid this but I will be using this technique in the future. Our techniques are almost identical on this matter. I do give a little rub down with some fine paper on the outer edges of the cut out to smooth them off before I put the final plate on. Good job. I've just found you and just subscribed. 👍

Aces, best video I've found on this, thanks!

Great video thanks. I’m a complete. novice. How might I convert an internal utility door to a simple mortise lock please? Do you have such a video? My goal is to then jnsert a switchbot on the other side.

Thanks, this is a brilliant instructional video.

Excellent tutorial thanks. I have done this several times before but not for a while. Some of the tips you gave were really helpful 😊

Drill sizes 🤷‍♂️

what size drill bit?

I recall using a bit and spinning it backwards for 8-10 seconds.
That sets the hole exactly where to drill without having to use a center punch.

I use a ply template hang it from top of door . If you have a few to do it’s time saving . Got a corner chisel cuts a right angle quick and easy . Usually I drill the lock out screw the barrel in place mark round it take it out and cut the excess away . Some doors only have a lock block on one side as well . I’ve also got a jig to drill at a perfect 90 degrees . Nowt worse than a wonky mortise .

How tall are you?

Always good to see chisel work and not a router and jig like most online. They maybe a bit quicker but its way more expense and doesnt show particular craft

I do them almost exactly the same way, I remember when I worked out all on my own as a wee Chappy! 😂 to score around it with a knife, I thought I was a genius 😂 from the old slow draw with pencil and chisel way

The fact the 25 mm bit they tell you to use is TOO BIG always annoyed me!
( the latchmate chisel is a nice bit of kit)

I like a bit of masking tape and a centre line to work of and self cantering drills are a god send.

For the most part we work exactly the same way, are both 1971’rs I think so both around 35 yrs into our apprenticeships, just bloody immature amateurs mate 😜

Seriously I think there’s a maturity that causes a mind shift from ‘this way or the highway! ( I / my company do things the RIGHT WAY! Everyone else is a cowboy!’ Type of mentality ( I’ve been there!!!) to a ‘whatever works and leaves the best job in a timely manner’ mindset…. If it’s faster and better ( no quality reduction). I’m absorbing it into the collective, resistance is futile 😜


You have to be the most actively well rounded carpenter if seen for a while Del, with regards to the different tasks you do, it’s impressive! I usually knock back stuff I haven’t done for ages as it’s uncomfortable and quite slow, maybe particular tools you need are ‘somewhere’ but usually when I man up, need the money or am forced into it, I piss it in and am better at it than I remember being before 😂. Transferring skills, knowledge and mindset is a big part of the craft 👍🏻

( long one sorry😂)

Great video mate, what size were the auger bits please🙂

great video thank you

Can anybody recommend a good quality tubular latch brand? Been looking at the Altro heavy duty range, my handles are sprung so is it a bit overkill? Need a 44mm backset. Cheers I’m advance

Good show, always nice to watch a job well done. TIL to measure from the top and drill the holes for the handle first. Combination squares are underrated! I use the corner tip of a chisel to mark outlines.

Thanks, mate, very informative and much better (naturally) than my previous efforts. Quick question - what size augur bit do you use for this type of lock, coz I definitely need one. Thanks

Great video. Thanks!

Good vid well done

What a pleasure to watch a craftsman at work, Im an engineer by trade and am going to fit a door at my daughters house later today. Will use your excellent video as guidance later.

Brilliant, Very Helpful And Informative. Many Thanks For Sharing Your Knowledge.

Great job, thanks for sharing

I love woodwork but HATE hanging doors I live in an old house and all the doorframe are pissed I've spent the last few hours carrying a door up and down the stairs the doors on now but I could crawl under it when closed as got impatient and it went wrong

Hi del. What size auger did you use there ?

Great job, very Informative video

Very thorough thanks mate. I've made a few notes. It's amazing how many steps there are really. I've done a few in the past but generally messed the order of works up .. Not any more 👍🙏

super video