How to Repair a Full Mortise Lockset

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How to Repair a Full Mortise Lockset | Ask This Old House

Рет қаралды 126,506

Күн бұрын

In this video, if you have an antique lockset that you’d rather repair than throw away, this guide will help.
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Carpenter Nathan Gilbert takes us on a house call to help a homeowner with an antique lockset. After the homeowner explains her troubles, Nathan removes a century-old mortise lockset from the door before disassembling it to investigate.
Difficulty: ⅗
Time: 3 hours of work, however ordering parts will take time
Cost: Under $200
Mortise Lockset Parts
There are multiple parts that make up full mortise locksets. Nothing was standard during manufacturing 100 years ago, so each lock may be slightly different. Here are some general universal parts:
* The lockbox is the carcass that contains all of the small parts within the lockset. It’s also the part that slides into the door.
* The latch is the part of the door that opens and closes with the twist of the door knob. It catches in the door frame and prevents the door from opening without the twist of a key or the knob.
* The lever is typically the doorknob assembly, but there are many parts within the lockbox that work together to make up this part.
* The deadbolt is the heavy-duty version of a latch that slides in and out of a door, and sits deeply into the door jamb.
* The cylinder is the keyed portion of the lockset. It locks and unlocks the door for passage, and connects to the other parts within the lockset to allow for operation.
Where to find it?
Nathan removes and repairs a full mortise exterior lockset. All parts and hardware were supplied by Mack Designer Hardware [www.mackdesigne...].
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Materials:
Small trays [amzn.to/3MFQa2E]
Various repair parts [amzn.to/3wwMMBh]
White lithium grease [amzn.to/3wHbSfO]
Wood putty [amzn.to/3sNRUii]
Tools:
Screwdrivers [amzn.to/3lrXxOT]
Putty knife [amzn.to/3wLvU94]
Hammer [amzn.to/3PyQulh]
Chisel [amzn.to/3ltLh0p]
Combination square [amzn.to/3wuA71U]
About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Repair a Full Mortise Lockset | Ask This Old House
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Пікірлер: 158

@thelocksmith 2 жыл бұрын

It’s very rare that I’d recommend a door be replaced because of a lock. I can’t believe that was someone’s answer to your problem !! There are so many options to retro fit these old mortise locks. Also, please anyone who’s going to try this… don’t put glue on your lock or anywhere near it !

@Chris153758 Жыл бұрын

He could've filed a divot into the new thumb-turn cam & used the set screw, same as the original design, and there would've been no need for the glue.

@worldhealthrn Жыл бұрын

One problem is getting a skilled person to come out and actually do the work. Sometimes homeowners are forced to do the more convenient option and maybe more expensive option ( buying a while new door that a store will deliver and install) because they can't find available experts. I may have to do so because my lock on a new home purchase is to the point where it's not quite working properly and I can't compromise my security

@Chris153758 Жыл бұрын

@@worldhealthrn Most half-decent locksmiths could fix something like this, no problem. Even if they can't fix the mortise lock, they could install a modern deadbolt with an antique brass finish. No need to replace the door.

@alexkohr 20 күн бұрын

That line she said was for their show right? Whoever proposed that is a con artist, but if she thought that was a viable option I have a bridge to sell her

@johnroberts9560 2 жыл бұрын

HI TOH , that Nathan Gilbert is really good at what he's doing & really knowledgeable he can fix about anything , I like your dad Nathan he should come on TOH more often !!! 👍😊🛠

@alexanderzerka8477 2 жыл бұрын

This was a really good episode. Nathan seems like a good fit for the show, and the new music was very pleasant.

@SeanBZA 2 жыл бұрын

Tip when taking that hardware off, is to also use some furniture oil or linseed oil, and wipe down the door under the hardware, putting the oil there, and also a layer on the inside of the door furniture, so it will have the oil to protect it. The oil on the wood also provides waterproofing, and helps keep the lock itself from rusting further as well. Mechanism you also want to wipe the outside down to clean it, and apply oil to it, including all the threads, using a small rag lightly dipped in the oil. All parts will benefit from the oil, and last longer as well, including the screws. Did that to my front door, replacing the 1990's era handles with 1960's era, I got from the scrapyard, and cleaned up to remove the 100 layers of paint. A drop of oil, a bit of cleaning, and used the original screws again, and it works much better.

@kippywylie 2 жыл бұрын

Until this morning watching this video I had always believed that and grease based lubricant was harmful to any lock because it will attract grit & dust. For 40 years I've always used dry graphite powder for the internal mechanisms.

@kippywylie 2 жыл бұрын

My front door is nearly identical to this door. House built 1895

@loxalot31 2 жыл бұрын

It’s not a strike it’s a latch. Get your terms correct or don’t say anything. Clean the lock before you lubricate it. You should never lubricate a mortise lock with a spray lithium grease, use grease that you have to spread as it will last a lot longer. Do NOT use glue in a lock, ever, for any reason.

@dorothylazard4797 Жыл бұрын

This was so helpful. I have the exact same problem with my front door. Thanks for posting!

@joshlepowsky1795 2 жыл бұрын

Cannot believe someone said it would cost thousands. As a locksmith that's a very simple job inexpensive job

@Kit_Bear 5 ай бұрын

I think they were exaggerating for drama. There's no way on earth that this would even cost a grand even if they replaced the door.

@baronvonbrauhaus9086 2 жыл бұрын

I thought external deadbolts were always retrofits on doors lacking deadbolts, but since this has one I think it was broken long before the '70s when somebody installed the external. First they broke the key off in the cylinder by heaving on that when the bolt stuck, then the doorknob started spinning after heaving on it with the sagging bolt got in the way, then the latch on the retrofit became the only way to open and secure the door until they finally decided to sell the house because a nice door cost more than the house was worth. Next episode, how to repair knob and tube wiring without a breaker box, followed by horsehair and lath plaster repair for all the holes they put in the walls fixing wiring. Season cliff hanger is extinguishing wood stove kitchen fires. PS: Sarcasm. I love all this old crap and grew up with it.

@matthewlewis5631 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like whoever quoted them thought they had an easy payday. Dodgy Brothers locksmith co?

@mmjohns2705 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands and thousands? 🤣

@theinsaneshecklador6598 2 жыл бұрын

Or they gave them the "I really don't want to do it" price.

@Pyongyang4948 2 жыл бұрын

I’m certain it was, if she offered her vangeena, I’m sure it would have been free

@Guardducks 2 жыл бұрын

@@theinsaneshecklador6598 that's the i don't know how to do it price

@theinsaneshecklador6598 2 жыл бұрын

@@Guardducks That too, but the last couple years contractors have been pretty busy and are able to be choosy when it comes to picking customers. It's not uncommon to throw out a high price instead of telling the customer no. If by some chance they actually accept the high price you make out like a bandit and if they refuse you are happy to not get the job.

@TripleIllini 2 жыл бұрын

Nate, you could at least let Cloe sit down while you went to the store my man 🤣

@williamcraycraft6911 2 жыл бұрын

I just moved into a house today and it has this exact lock. It functions, but I had no idea what type of lock I have. Great info, Thanks TOH!

@lmgtulsa 2 жыл бұрын

That is so COOL! I had no idea these could be fixed. Thanks for the vid!

@monkeyoperator1360 2 жыл бұрын

probably anything built before 1980 can be repaired easier than it can be replaced

@kippywylie 2 жыл бұрын

@@monkeyoperator1360 And a repair will last many decades, compared to the planned obsolescence of post 1980

@carljorgensen2813 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, you should ask her if she wants her front door refinish and show us how you do that..

@thedude8520 2 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy.... Usually learn something from these.... Sure but this one, I learned about something I knew nothing about! Awesome just simply awesome

@MC-24 Жыл бұрын

Know-it-all time! White lithium grease? I’m surprised by that recommendation. In my experience, in an old chassis, with years of wear, in an exterior door, exposed to sun and heat, that grease will turn to gummy crud in just a year. There are better options. If you were to fully restore and clean the chassis, you could use Red n Tacky or another long-life machine grease inside the chassis and a coat of anti-corrosion/lubricating oil outside. For a quick repair, I would use something like gun, sewing machine, or shredder oil to “nourish” the metal parts and a little lighter grease like Super Lube. And you’re looking at at least $500 and two trips to do what the guy in the video did. (to do it well, anyway)

@johnperry5102 2 жыл бұрын

to restore that lock it should have been cleaned of all rust and then totally rust proofed, then lubricated

@dalesworld1308 2 жыл бұрын

It's surface rust rust from humidity. Not a big deal.

@karlhungusjr1 2 жыл бұрын

he wasn't restoring it. he was fixing it.

@rels9273 2 жыл бұрын

If that is the full extent of the rust after 100 years, it's fine, that's very little rust.

@dcbqb19 2 жыл бұрын

Mike Holmes would have absolutely done that! And I would too, cause I don't want it to work, I want it to last

@jmfia2391 2 жыл бұрын

Then you do it. Dammit.

@craiglawson663 Ай бұрын

Like it says in the parts section above...nothing was built the same back then. We have 3 entry doors, same locks but they all were built just a bit different. Crazy.

@dcbqb19 2 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't you want to brush away all the rust build up while it's open?

@tom_ad9343 2 жыл бұрын

It's still good for another century before cleaning...

@peterhanson3962 2 жыл бұрын

What happened to cleaning the mechanism before using lubricant?

@SeanBZA 2 жыл бұрын

Not suitable for video, with all the swearing that will becoming out, about putting it back together, and even just taking outside, and using some spray cleaner, would have taken too long. Hit and run here....

@flat-earther 2 жыл бұрын

@@SeanBZA Yeah I would have cleaned it but I also get how it's not suitable in their video format.

@kippywylie 2 жыл бұрын

@@SeanBZA Yep, we have locks like this on our 1895 home..... A few f-bombs every time I touch them

@stevec9669 2 жыл бұрын

Nathan is amazing!

@BradThePitts 2 жыл бұрын

REPAIR is ALWAYS better than replace! 👍

@akoznasovajusername 2 жыл бұрын

Man so much rust and it's not been cleaned before putting a lubricant. I see Evapo-Rust and products as such would make this shine like a brand new. And also, I would put a grease in the can, and not this liquid grease in a spray. Put it everywhere, not only where the moving parts are, as it will protect the metal for decades.

@StiqChannel 4 ай бұрын

The tension in this video is palpable

@jhartford58 2 жыл бұрын

Cool you guys added a locksmith to the picture

@Skammerd 2 жыл бұрын

Are those old school Craftsman screwdrivers?

@bgrady24 2 жыл бұрын

All of this assumes you can easily get replacement parts. I’ve fixed many doors like this as a landlord buying old properties. I would have bored out new holes for modern knobs and locks. Looks fine, saves time and money.

@worldhealthrn Жыл бұрын

Thank you. People do not understand the logistics of all of this.

@stevebabiak6997 2 жыл бұрын

The bright brass on the replacement key cylinder on the outside of the door lacks the patina that was preserved on the other lock parts. Maybe that face could have been aged, or used an antique brass finish on it?

@jeffmoss26 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work!

@oldslow3694 Жыл бұрын

the top surface mounted lock is a night latch, the button on the case is to hold open latch, on some models it deadlocked the latch so key would not work from outside. so when worn one can get locked out if buttom falls down. if both locks are used a person needs 2 hands to open door, my advice do not use top lock

@robertf6344 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed it !

@PiranhaJaw22 2 жыл бұрын

For those of you who keep saying "thousands and thousands of dollars?", San Francisco.

@austinpaulkramer Жыл бұрын

Very helpful thanks! I wish I watched this sooner:)

@poeticthoughts06 2 жыл бұрын

Nathan is great.

@douglasboyle6544 2 жыл бұрын

I may not have been informed enough to have known how to repair the inner workings of the lock but I'm also not ignorant enough to have said "you gotta replace the whole door". I would have just replaced the whole lockset, they make new full mortise sets like that

@jamilvints 2 жыл бұрын

Can you guys do a video on how to replace a mortise lock with common locks eg, deadbolts.

@jbryantphotographer 2 жыл бұрын

They did. Tommy filled in the mortise and installed new hardware

@cbryantbear6498 2 жыл бұрын

That was a good one!

@johnbaptist7476 2 жыл бұрын

Always No : 1 ♾️ Awesome👌🙏👍👏👏

@tomowcaest.5999 12 күн бұрын

just cost me $90 TO CLEAN !! DID R & R MYSELF😮

@Tony_TB 2 жыл бұрын

My house is 93 years old and has the same front door lock.

@kippywylie 2 жыл бұрын

Same. This summer I'd like to refinish our 100+ year old oak door.... But it is so heavy I honestly don't see a way to get it off its hinges and onto some saw-horses.

@stephenmiller8556 5 ай бұрын

Very nice I enjoyed it

@BlankBrain Күн бұрын

They forgot to show how to get the doorknob shaft out. I have a Norwalk lock set, and the doorknob shaft won't come out.

@nitexninja 2 жыл бұрын

Anyone know the easiest way to get a broken set screw that is holding the lock cylinder out? I can't get the cylinder or the mortise box out without removing that and I only have the secondary set screw hole to look through.

@rels9273 2 жыл бұрын

It will be hard - you'll need to drill a tiny hole in the middle of the screw, then force a "screw extractor" into that hole and remove it.

@pointedspider 2 жыл бұрын

Um...she's asked for a quote sir. You haven't even told her what's its going to cost!

@2000kluck 2 жыл бұрын

08:12; Close your eyes and listen.

@stevethirdcitymo6527 2 жыл бұрын

Loved seeing the Craftsman name among the tools!

@Guardducks 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work nathan

@buddyg1408 2 жыл бұрын

The strike is on the jamb

@yosh1to 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands of dollars to replace the door? Are you kidding? I’ll do it for a fraction of the price loool

@Guillotines_For_Globalists 2 жыл бұрын

"Contractor pricing" is absolutely ridiculous indeed.

@jefflebowski918 2 жыл бұрын

White Lithium grease is good stuff, you should spray your keyholes and deadbolts every three months.

@readyplayer2 2 жыл бұрын

A “dry” lubricant that won’t attract dirt or gum up the pins would be appropriate for lock cylinders / key holes. Don’t use grease. Grease is fine for the other parts of the mortise lock that were lubricated in this video.

@jefflebowski918 2 жыл бұрын

@@readyplayer2 Dry lubricants don't last long and they don't protect against rust, I've used them.

@tomowcaest.5999 12 күн бұрын

w d 40 ??🎉

@Caleyfan86 Жыл бұрын

Great vid

@brettking177 2 жыл бұрын

When your full mortise lock gets rigor mortis....💀

@alacran1986 2 жыл бұрын

Nice I can fix the one on my door

@lizzapaolia959 10 ай бұрын

That mortice lock offers zero security. They should purchase an original replacement. Keep the old lock for the history, definitely not a lock for today's prolific criminals. Thanks for sharing this video.

@jameshicks3300 2 жыл бұрын

Dude could stunt double for Ricky Schroeder...though he wouldn't be doing much doubling if any.

@Kit_Bear 5 ай бұрын

How about a deep clean before putting it back into service.

@tomowcaest.5999 12 күн бұрын

so.... it has to be lined up just right ?? WHAT LINE ????😢

@stephenmiller8556 5 ай бұрын

Anybody who tells you the whole door Hass to be replaced because the lock is malfunctioning is one or two things ignorant or they want to steal your money so to speak. So many people nowadays just sent just replace it but our house is built in 1930 and I'm sitting here in the living room right now restoring mine.

@TomisaLami 3 ай бұрын

Should you really use a liquid lubrication in a lock like that? Wouldn’t it be better to use some graphite powder or something?

@lawrence6182 2 жыл бұрын

How about taking all the parts out of the lock and clean them and checking to see if those 100 year old springs are in one piece. Once all the parts are out of the case you can clean out all the debris. Just spraying lubricant in the lock is lazy and irresponsible.

@4speed3pedals 2 жыл бұрын

Does T.O.H. charge the homeowner for time and materials?

@princesssmile7958 Жыл бұрын

Thats nice and all but to change the whole the door is best option in my opinion .. cause I wouldn't keep that lock holding the door since it is full of rust

@a.a.837 2 жыл бұрын

7:17 Its my first time i hear someone says door cost thousents of dollers!!

@JesusIsReal925 2 ай бұрын

No one wants to be responsible for that door and one kick that door is done

@tomowcaest.5999 12 күн бұрын

nope !! double locked on the jam with 8 1 inch screws😊

@67tr876 2 жыл бұрын

I would have just swapped out the hole lock box 123.

@tomowcaest.5999 12 күн бұрын

gois idea... if u can find one😊

@williamdarden2874 2 жыл бұрын

Why not use the old graphic lube that is use on car door locks

@ssl3546 2 жыл бұрын

The dinguses saying thousands for a front door is crazy either just woke up from a 20 year coma or are blind and can't see this is a stain-grade, clear wood, solid door. The door alone is over a thousand, plus the ancillary materials, plus several hours of labor. Plus calling out a locksmith to put in good quality locks.

@jdub099 2 жыл бұрын

He looks like Ross from Ross Creations

@benefactionhindrance 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands and thousands of dollars. Yeah right.

@mccalejk2 2 жыл бұрын

For certain doors, most definitely.

@bjornjoseph 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands and thousands?! Doors made of vibranium?

@baronvonbrauhaus9086 2 жыл бұрын

I assume they meant of the same construction and materials, which probably is priced like unobtanium.

@randyaivaz3356 Жыл бұрын

You don't need a $2000 Door, you just need to pay me $2000 Labor to do the Repairs :) Seriously though, Good Video on a Old Lock.

@aberba 2 жыл бұрын

Door cost 1000s of dollars? In Ghana wooden doors are the cheapest. What a world 😀

@kismetcorp 2 жыл бұрын

People in Massachusetts are extremely liberal and proud to pay insane prices on things so they can talk about how expensive their belongings and therefore valuable their lives are

@karlhungusjr1 2 жыл бұрын

@@kismetcorp yet she didn't want to pay an insane price and just got it fixed. how does that match up with your theory about the entire population of a state?

@kismetcorp 2 жыл бұрын

@@karlhungusjr1 my antique door is that much more valuable and quote charming

@kismetcorp 2 жыл бұрын

@@karlhungusjr1 fck back off to plebbit

@karlhungusjr1 2 жыл бұрын

@@kismetcorp ???

@priceandpride 2 жыл бұрын

Did she only talk to one door vendor?

@chriswilson8041 2 жыл бұрын

i just had my front door replaced with a cost of 2500

@jermelpurse3018 2 жыл бұрын

Just ask yourself why did so many people tell her to replace a perfectly good door instead of being able to swap out the locks like a professional should have been able to do.

@worldhealthrn Жыл бұрын

I have been told the EXACT same thing. It is so hard to get experts. They are in high demand and often not available for small jobs in small markets

@thomasfreer580 2 жыл бұрын

Hard to believe any qualified carpenter would suggest swapping out the entire door for lock repairs.....smh

@Shazzkid 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands and thousands to replace a door....?

@cubbe8 2 жыл бұрын

Bruh that’s my teacher

@nusermane1076 2 жыл бұрын

Some say the skills you learn in the trades are a door-opener, but that skill is kinda the opposite 🤔

@TJsVette 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands to replace a door?? I know prices have gone up but not that much...sounds like someone is way overcharging lol

@saulgoodman2018 2 жыл бұрын

Replace the whole door? Typical contractors. Instead of fixing it, they want to replace the whole door. And get you to spend more money than is needed. Those kind of contractors are what give the good ones a bad name.

@Eric_thedisciple 2 жыл бұрын

A front door isn’t thousands and thousands of dollars unless inflation is that bad lol

@SeanBZA 2 жыл бұрын

Is if you want actual solid wood, and not a laminate or pressed wood over a hollow core, or a door made from chipboard with thin wood veneer on it. With it being that old likely also a custom made door as well.

@brick_layer541 2 ай бұрын

Replace the door 😂 That being said, this repair did require a lot of knowledge and a place to get old-style parts so I can understand why not everyone is able to do these repairs.

@theedrstrangelove 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands and thousands of dollars to replace a door? What planet is this?

@WannaBeHocker 2 жыл бұрын

Thousands of dollars for a front door replacement? Oh ok

@BrianPrestonMe 2 жыл бұрын

‘IT SURE IS!’ I love TOH, hoping they convince them to stop fake acting.

@alexfierro 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah man, I always watch This Old House for the acting. They should give Daniel Day Lewis a call.

@MrFixItGa 2 жыл бұрын

WHERE do you live that it costs "thousands and thousands" to replace a residential door?

@mccalejk2 2 жыл бұрын

For an antique door like she clearly wanted, it’s not that far fetched.

@jan_vyhnak 2 жыл бұрын

thousands of dollars for new doors? she was joking right? right?

@Havi71599 2 жыл бұрын

She said cost " thousands and thousands of dollars" to change one door!!! She sound like she has no clue about what she stated!!!

@worldhealthrn Жыл бұрын

That is EXACTLY what I was told for my 1950's door/lock replacements - exactly. You clearly have no clue what some tradesmen say to some home owners.

@SPMech1 2 жыл бұрын

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@meihe9108 2 ай бұрын

AND THAT'S WHY YOU NEED A MAN.............

@jeffreyrivers1983 2 жыл бұрын

Can I have her contact information? 💖💣

@dalesworld1308 2 жыл бұрын

'Can I have that grease? This stuff can go all over."

@jeffreyrivers1983 2 жыл бұрын

He talks very shady lol

@user-jl2wd1it8h Жыл бұрын

Why change locks just cause you've bought a house? Do you also sleep with a 9mm next to your gooch? Wait you're mericon so you have high crime and love guns.