What is a surface-mounted cabinet lock?
Surface-mounted locks are designed for cabinet and furniture doors only. This style cannot be used on drawers, desk lids, or boxes.
They are easy to install as lock mounts directly to inside face of door. No mortise or cut out pocket is used for this style lock.
Our surface locks are reversible for use on right- or left-hand doors.
On glass-front doors, the lock body may be visible through the glass. If you prefer a less visible installation, consider a half-mortise or full-mortise lock.
Use with a keyhole cover for a finished appearance.
How do I measure the backset for a surface lock?
What should I check for a new cabinet door?
- Consider placement of keyhole cover on cabinet door as this could affect actual keyhole location
- Keyhole location determines required backset measurement for lock.
- Backset: distance between selvedge-edge of lock to center-of-pin in keyhole. (see diagram)
- Be sure overall size of Lock-Plate will fit onto door stile/face frame
How do I measure for a replacement lock?
- If you have original lock: measure distance between selvedge-edge (edge where bolt shoots through lock) to lock pin in center of keyhole. This measurement is known as the backset.
- If original lock is not available, determine backset by measuring: distance from center of keyhole to edge of cabinet door.
- The replacement lock's backset measurement must match location of keyhole in furniture.
How do I install a surface-mounted cabinet lock?
Surface locks are easy to install.
Surface locks are easy to install. Lock attaches directly to inside face of cabinet door, no-mortising required.
A strike is not necessary and rarely used with this style lock. If one is used care must be taken when installing so that the strike does not impede the bolt from smoothly extending behind face frame or door stile.
Where should I position the lock?
- Position of lock must allow for bolt to extend behind face frame of cabinet. A minimum of ¼" is necessary to secure door when locked.
- Ideally edge of lock should line up with edge of door
- If keyhole already exists in door, make sure lock-keyhole lines up with cabinet-keyhole
How do I mark and cut the keyhole?
- Measure distance from top of lock-plate to center of key pin
- Measure distance from side of lock-plate to center of key pin
- With these two measurements locate keyhole on furniture front, make sure key pin is aligned with keyhole location
- Drill small pilot hole at key pin location, hold lock in position and check to make sure hole lines up with key pin
- Drill hole larger to accommodate key barrel
- Cut remaining portion of keyhole with a small keyhole saw
How do I mark the mounting holes?
- Insert key from front through door into lock
- With key in position, hold lock at desired location on back of door and mark screw holes
- Drill small pilot holes for screws
How do I attach the lock?
- Mount lock and attach with wood screws
- For a finished appearance: mount an escutcheon/keyhole plate, on door front.
