30 year Law Enforcement Officer discusses installing deadbolt lock.

30 year Law Enforcement Officer discusses installing deadbolt lock.

A burglar typically spends less than 60 seconds attempting to break in your door. A good deadbolt lock can cause the burglar to give up and find an easier target.

In an effort to enhance the security of my own home, I identified a weak link in my home, and that was the door heading downstairs to our basement. This door only had a regular keyed entry knob lock, no deadbolt. Which normally is ok, given the basement exterior door does have a deadbolt, however, with three windows in the basement, and if someone were to bust open the entry door, then I wanted an extra layer of security between the basement and the interior of the home.

I wanted to add a combination deadbolt to this door, as I did not want to add another key to my arsenal. All my door locks are keyed alike, so a combination lock seemed attractive. But combo locks at the big box hardware stores will knock a big ole hole in your folding money. After searching Amazon I found one that seemed like it would fit the bill, for $45. All-Weather Mechanical Keyless Deadbolt Door Lock - Satin Nickel, #409

I just finished installing this lock, and I am very impressed. This is a heavy duty, well-made lock, not the usual thin metal junk you find at big box stores. The actual installation took me about 2.5 hours, I am well satisfied and have now have one less weak link to worry about.

The instructions were ok, the drill bit sizes were in millimeter, it was easiest for me to take the faceplate and find a drill bit that fit snugly. Also a 7/8 wood bore worked perfectly for the deadbolt tube assembly. This lock does not require the large 2 ¼ inch doorknob hole, only three small holes are really needed. 

The instructions called for a bit larger hole for the mechanism that activates the deadbolt, but I prefer to take out the least amount of wood as possible,,, Big holes just weaken the door.

The combination is set from the factory to a 6 digit number, I left mine as is, but you can change it to a 5 or 4 digit code as you wish. The All-Weather Mechanical Keyless Deadbolt Door Lock also has keys if you forget your combination.

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--John Hames