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You may have seen the door latch plate that comes with the Nostalgic Warehouse. This latch consists of two pieces: the latch and the decorative mortise plate. The combined thickness of these pieces is one eighth of an inch, so you will need a depth of one eighth inch when mortising the plate. Here are some tips for mortising this type of door latch. The process for mortising this type of door latch is similar to that of mortising a wood door or a metal one.
Reposition
To reposition a door latch plate, follow these simple steps:
To reposition a door latch plate, carve out the jamb where the plate sits. Remove the screws holding the plate in place. Then, score the mortise’s sides and remove the strike plate. You can use a utility knife to score the strike plate. Once it’s removed, use a chisel to score the strike plate. Carefully remove any excess spackle or wood putty.
If the mark is more than 1/8 inch from the strike plate’s hole, you may want to reposition the strike plate. You can use a sharp chisel to make it bigger. You can then drill new holes that are 1/16 inch larger to accommodate screws. Finally, apply wood filler to the gap left by the strike plate. If the door is still stuck, you may have to adjust the hinges.
If the latch is low, you can reposition the door within the jam. Generally, the problem is lower than the strike plate hole. In this case, you should measure the gap around the door: about 1/16 inch on either side of the strike plate. In the case of the latch, the gap around the door should be less than 1/16 inch. Make sure that the latch is on the strike side of the door.
Before repositioning the door latch, you must remove the strike plate. A chisel is a helpful tool. If you don’t have one, a small power tool can act as a router. Place toothpicks in the old screw hole. Typically, three toothpicks can fit in one hole. After jamming the toothpicks, you can cut them with a knife.
Shifting the strike plate’s position will cause the strike plate to shift, making the strike plate misaligned with the door. If this occurs, you can mortise the jamb a few inches deeper and fill in the old mortise with a new one. Alternatively, you can replace the strike plate. Adjustable door strikes are available online. You may also wish to adjust the strike plate’s position after it has been shifted.
If the strike plate has lipstick marks, it’s likely that the latch is misaligned. Make sure that it’s only 1/8 inch out of alignment. If it is more than this, you need to reposition the latch plate in its proper position. If it’s not, try filing the strike plate’s hole with a convex hand file. This will fix the problem.
If the problem is a loose hinge, check the screws first. The screws on the hinges should not be loose. If they are, you may need to tighten them or replace them. You can use a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten them. You should also check the strike plate’s holes. If the screws have stripped, you may need to replace them. A stripped screw may need to be replaced.
Reposition a
If your latch has become loose, you can reposition it by drilling two holes in the mortise using a rotary tool. The mortise should be the same depth as the thickness of the latch plate and must be deep enough so that the faceplate will be flush with the edge of the door. To install a new latch, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mount the plate and secure the screws.
To reposition the strike plate, first determine where the strike plate is positioned. Measure from the center of the latch bolt and the flat edge of the strike plate to the strike plate center. From there, you will determine whether to move the strike plate left or right. Measure vertically until the two distances are equal. If the distances are not equal, you may need to move the strike plate vertically.
Next, use a chisel to enlarge the strike plate’s slot and edge. In some cases, the strike plate may not be able to reach the hinges or strike plate. If this is the case, you can try repositioning the strike plate by mortising the jamb and filling in the old mortise. Or, you can replace the strike plate with a new one to fix the misalignment. There are many adjustable door strikes available online.
If you cannot find the problem with the strike plate, try filing the strike plate’s hole with a convex hand file. This will make the latch contact match the strike plate’s hole. Once the strike plate has been aligned, you can then reinstall it into the door and reposition the latch plate. It is also important to note that the strike plate has the proper size and shape. If it is too small, use a file.
If the mortise is too small, the latch will not latch correctly. This is most common when the latch is too low. It may be necessary to bend the hinge to raise it higher. The same can be done for the strike plate. But if you’re having trouble with the latch, repositioning the strike plate will help it fit correctly. When you’ve achieved the desired height, you need to tighten the screws.
If you’re replacing a lock, repositioning the strike plate’s mortise is much easier than recutting the mortise from scratch. The first step involves placing the chisel’s tip into the strike plate’s lock bolt hole, then striking it with a hammer to enlarge the mortise. Once you’ve adjusted the mortise, you’re ready to install a new latch plate.
To begin this process, you must remove the strike plate from the door jamb. You can use a chisel or a small power tool as a router. After removing the wood, you should insert a toothpick into the old screw holes. In some cases, you can use three toothpicks. After jamming, simply cut the toothpick with a knife. If you’re still having trouble, repositioning the strike plate can be an ideal solution.
