Thread: what lock should I use

Originally Posted by gavinabrown

Attachment 435243
Here's a photo. As you can see they open from the centre, just like french doors.

is the lock to keep little kids out -- in which case a zip tie might surfice
or to keep a budding Harry Potter in?

deleted.

Originally Posted by ian

is the lock to keep little kids out -- in which case a zip tie might surfice
or to keep a budding Harry Potter in?

It's to keep guests out. The issue that it has to look reasonable as we're renting the apartment out so it would be good if it looked like a permanent fitting.

Originally Posted by ian

Lappa did suggest you cut a 2mm deep recess in the back of the door to mount the lock.

BUT
you said the doors are hollow.
How wide are the lock styles (the edges that come together when the doors are closed)
and do the doors have lock rails? A solid wood horizontal typically included to allow you to mount door hardware on a passage door.

I'm not really sure, but I'm sure that the area around the centre (where the doors join) are more solid and I could screw something lightweight into it.

Sorry, but I can't work out what a lock style is - from your description, it sounds like the edges of the doors, but that couldn't be what you're referring to.

I'm thinking of using a simple slide bolt on the inside of one door and a cam lock on the other. I've found a 25mm cam lock (for the 24mm door) and I can't get a 35mm cam lock for the 34mm door.

When they refer to a 25mm cam lock, does that mean that it suits a 25mm door? If so, that should do - I need to oversize it so 1mm would be fine.

Originally Posted by gavinabrown

I'm not really sure, but I'm sure that the area around the centre (where the doors join) are more solid and I could screw something lightweight into it.

Sorry, but I can't work out what a lock style is - from your description, it sounds like the edges of the doors, but that couldn't be what you're referring to.

Or another possibility (though moderate work) is to inset a block of wood into the hollow door, from the back. Then use the 22mm deep lock (you have already bought?) as per post 14 with a padbolt on the thick door.


Regards
SWK

Originally Posted by gavinabrown

I'm not really sure, but I'm sure that the area around the centre (where the doors join) are more solid and I could screw something lightweight into it.

Sorry, but I can't work out what a lock style is - from your description, it sounds like the edges of the doors, but that couldn't be what you're referring to.

the solid wood vertical edges of a door are called styles. The edge that the hinges go into is called the hinge style, the other edge is called the lock style. The solid wood pieces at the top and bottom of a door are called rails. Many doors also have a solid wood horizontal rail about mid-way which is called a lock rail. The lock rail is where you would typically attach a door knob and catch.

Originally Posted by gavinabrown

It's to keep guests out. The issue that it has to look reasonable as we're renting the apartment out so it would be good if it looked like a permanent fitting.

can I clarify. Are there two sets of doors, or in your photo is one door 35mm thick and the other 24mm?
If that is the case, fit a flush bolt to the top and bottom of the thicker door.

This will fix that door in place in the opening.
Then fit a mortice deadbolt to the thinner door.

If necessary, pack the inside of the thinner door to achieve the depth and width you require for the lock.

Although the arrangement won't be particularly secure, it will look neat. And let's face it, a hollow core door can be cut open with a Stanley knife.