DEWALT Door Lock Installation Kit, C-Clamp Design, for Metal or Wood Doors, 2 Adjustable Bushings, Easy Installation (D180004), Multicolor

Product Information

I'll do the review on a piece-by-piece basis and try to explain what mistakes you should avoid and why the kit does not prevent your making the mistake. Hopefully armed with this info, you will make fewer mistakes than I did, or at least make different mistakes, But, the Dewalt kit comes with all the necessary parts to make any project tangible. It comes with its own hole saw which is rare to find in installation kits. Main hole jig: This is a well thought out, but flimsy guide system. Do not expect it to force your tools to the proper position and angles — its a guide that helps you but does not prevent your tool from cutting in the wrong place. You need to hold the drill steady when using this jig, the jig will not do that for you. The biggest problem I had with with jig/guide was with the latch hole and mortise positioning. On such a small dimension (1.5”) a small misplacement amounts to a large miss. The jig has two plastic spring-loaded guides to align the latch hole in the middle of the edge of the door. These plastic “springs” do not force you into the exact middle of the edge. You can easily be off ~1/16” and that amounts to a large miss from the center. Even if you mark the center to try to minimize this error, its difficult to drive the screws into the edge without the jig getting slightly off. This is where the system needs beefing up more (Irwin, if you’re reading…). For the large hole, it would be nice if the jig were more stout, but small errors in the large hole placement don’t amount to much since the door knob bezel covers it up.

Wood/Metal Door Lock Installation Kit | The Home Depot RYOBI Wood/Metal Door Lock Installation Kit | The Home Depot

But the unique feature this kit has to offer has to be the auto strike locator. Because of this, the alignment of the jig is vastly improved compared to its contemporaries. A hole saw is a cylinder with sharp teeth around its circumference that drills through the wood. It attaches to an ordinary power drill and is used for drilling larger holes than a standard drill bit can handle. You use this to cut through the wood at both sides of the doorframe, usually in conjunction with another drill bit. That being said, the hole saw is made from M3 steel and is sturdy enough to get you through a whole set of doors in a house. And, for the price point of the product, we think that’s a fair deal. Easy to Disassemble The depth stop will even prevent the bit from blowing into your door when it gets too close. Therefore, it’s easy to see why it’s a crucial piece to any excellent kit. The only issue with this kit is that you may have a hard time unscrewing the bit. That is an area Milwaukee could improve on.

Detailing the Top Door Lock Installation Kits

But the set’s durability wasn’t the only aspect that I found intriguing. It also included an auto-centering guide mechanism that most deadbolt installation kits don’t feature. Finding the perfect alignment spot with this auto-centering drill guide couldn’t be much easier. The set’s two bi-metal saws (1-inch and 2 ⅛ inches) offered a bit of versatility, as well. They ensured that I could use this installation kit in more ways than expected. Plus, their M-3 cutting edge provides fast results. This is one of the all-around best kits that we have come by so far. The build quality is superior, it is easy to use, and the company offers great support to its customers. Heavy-Duty Build In particular, this option’s included saw stands out with its ice-hardened technology. It felt more durable and powerful than what I had come to expect from different brands. Plus, it drilled holes faster than an average installation kit saw.

DEWALT Door Lock Installation Kit, C-Clamp Design, for Metal

This choice’s hole saw was another aspect that caught my eye. It’s made from durable, high-quality M3 steel to ensure its longevity and stellar performance. Due to this, the saw had no problem working in multiple capacities when I was trying out this kit. Again, the jig uses a non-slip clamp design. Thus, fastening the jig properly is extremely easy and takes little to no hassle.Honestly, it’s not something that I ever want to see on my finished door. I don’t think anyone reading this article would, either. Buying an option with a clamping mechanism would be a more ideal option. At an extremely low price, it brings durability, functionality, and convenience at the same time. Additionally, it also impresses when it comes to versatility. Again, the alignment of the jig can be quite a hassle. If the jig features an auto-strike locator, aligning it will become much easier. This jig’s lightweight aluminum construction is worth mentioning, as well. It should ensure the component remains in good shape over several uses. In other words, I’m not expecting to use replacement parts anytime soon with this one.