Best Door Lock Installation Kits | Top 5 Picks in 2021

| Last Updated: March 22, 2021

Best Door Lock Installation Kit Reviews

You never think much about the importance of a door lock until it breaks. Be it the front door or the bathroom/bedroom; you obviously expect to be able to lock it whenever you need to.

So, when facing a broken door lock, you obviously want to get it fixed ASAP. Or maybe you’re a contractor and have not yet had the chance to pick out a good set of hole saws.

The solution? Finding yourself the best door lock installation kit. Although you’ll have to buy the other door lock parts separately, carrying out the actual installation process only requires the kit.

Find our reviews of the 5 best ones below, along with a buying guide.

Best Door Lock Installation Kit Reviews

In our opinion, door lock installation is a process that should be easily achievable without the help of a professional. These carefully selected 5 installation kits will help you do exactly that. Let’s dive right into the reviews.

Have a Glance At Our Top Picks of Door Lock Installation Kit

  1. DEWALT D180005 Hole Saw Installation Kit
  2. DEWALT D180004 Door Lock Installation Kit
  3. Ryobi A99DLK4 Wood and Metal Door Lock Installation Kit
  4. IRWIN 3111001 Door Lock Installation Kit for Wooden Doors
  5. Milwaukee 49-22-4073 Polycarbonate Door Lock Installation Kit

1. DEWALT D180005 Hole Saw Installation Kit

Highlighted Features

  • All tools come in a compact injection-molded kit box
  • Features 11 different sizes of hole saw attachments
  • Saws equipped with innovative deep-cut geometry and double tooth design
  • Comes with replacement parts including centering bits

DEWALT D180005 Hole Saw Installation KitYou don’t need to be a DIYer or an expert in the field of construction tools to know about DeWalt. With nearly a century of experience, this is a brand that definitely knows what they’re doing. They’re renowned for their high-performing yet affordable products, and this hole saw kit falls neatly into that category.

But don’t let that make you think that this thing isn’t capable of helping you with your heavy-duty projects. With 14 tool pieces, this kit allows you to carry out multiple applications in electrical works and plumbing as well as door lock installation.

Each of the 11 hole saws in this kit has been constructed from high-speed steel, which, compared to carbon tool steel, is able to make sharper, faster cuts. Furthermore, the saws are all furnished with a double-tooth design, which helps to ensure their longevity.

You’ll also appreciate the deep-cut geometry that the saws are equipped with, which further enhances the saws’ ability for precise and swift cutting. The included mandrels are designed for quick changing, allowing you to work more efficiently.

Something we really love about this kit is that it also comes with hardened backing plates. A common issue people face when attempting hole saws is thread stripping and warping; these backing plates prevent that from happening.

Overall, when it comes down to it, you really can’t go wrong with DeWALT. This kit is fully furnished with everything you might possibly need—even replacement parts!—and it’s reasonably priced, to boot. Unsurprising that it’s so highly rated!

2. DEWALT D180004 Door Lock Installation Kit

Highlighted Features

  • Robust hole saw built from sturdy M3 steel
  • Capable of cutting through both metal and wood
  • Included backing plates resist warping
  • Hassle-free disassembly from mandrel using backing plates
  • Compatible with most common door lock sizes and door thicknesses

DEWALT D180004 Door Lock Installation KitThe next product on our list is also from DeWALT. Where our last pick was a multi-functional product, this one is dedicated specifically to a door lock installation. It comes with all the components you might possibly need for successful lock installation, and best of all, it’s available at a highly competitive price. So let’s see what it has to offer.

This bi-metal installation kit includes, first and foremost, a robust and high-performing hole saw that had been constructed from premium quality M3 steel. This makes it capable of handling both wooden and metal doors with ease.

Moreover, it’s designed to fit all the most common door lock sizes; it can be used for doors with 1″ and 2-1/8″ diameter thickness, making it an ideal pick for the handyman who frequently has to perform the door lock installation operations.

And, just like the last DeWALT product we reviewed, this one also comes with robust and dependable backing plates which have been reinforced to help resist warping. Furthermore, you’ll be able to use the backing plates to disassemble from the mandrel with ease.

You’re also bound to appreciate the C-clamp design of the kit, which allows for hassle-free and easy tool-free clamping. What’s more, the bushings are adjustable, so you’ll be able to handle the majority of door thicknesses.

All in all, this is a dependable product that you can expect to speed up and simplify the installation process. Furthermore, with all of the great features we’ve outlined above, this one could definitely also pass for the best deadbolt installation kit!

3. Ryobi A99DLK4 Wood and Metal Door Lock Installation Kit

Highlighted Features

  • Auto-strike locator technology enables accurate template bracket alignment
  • Spade drill bits angle-optimized for swifter hole-sawing
  • Dual backset adjustment enhances precision
  • Ideal for installing both locksets and deadbolts

Ryobi A99DLK4 Wood and Metal Door Lock Installation KitWhether you’re installing a lock set or a deadbolt, this installation set from Ryobi offers a complete solution. This kit is highly recommended for those who are attempting a door lock installation for the first time, so if that sounds like you, keep reading.

So what’s in the box? This door lock installation kit from Ryobi features the following components to aid you in the installation: two-hole saws, auto-strike locator, dual backset adjustment, and spade bits.

Each of the parts included in this kit is made to speed up and optimize the installation process. The backset adjustment ensures precision, while the auto-strike locator enhances accuracy during the installation process by allowing you to align your template brackets properly.

And you may already know this, but drill bits are an important part of any hole-sawing process. Keeping that in mind, the spade bits that Ryobi has included in this kit have been optimized to provide a better angle, allowing you to create the hole faster.

One drawback of this set is that, despite its name, many users say that it’s not suitable for use with metal doors; however, given its competitive price and ability to produce great results, expecting it to do much more isn’t very realistic.

4. IRWIN 3111001 Door Lock Installation Kit for Wooden Doors

Highlighted Features

  • Includes a smart self-centering jig compatible with all common door widths
  • The self-centering jig is adjustable for 2-3/8″ and 2-3/4″ backsets
  • Included mandrel and custom router bit enable accuracy and precision
  • Lock or deadbolt installation can be achieved in 4 easy steps

IRWIN 3111001 Door Lock Installation Kit for Wooden DoorsDeWALT is not the only construction-tools giant that we’ll be looking at today; the renowned and revered brand IRWIN also gets a spot in our list of reviews. Having been around for nearly a century and a half, these guys definitely know what they’re doing, and that’s reflected in this door lock installation kit.

Intended for use with wooden doors, this competitively-priced installation kit comes equipped with hole saws constructed from robust and hardy carbon steel, allowing for swift and efficient creation of openings for locks and handles.

The best part is that the kit is the self-centering jig, which fits the most common door thicknesses. Furthermore, it’s adjustable for both 2-3/4″ and 2-3/8″ backsets, which allows you to use it with the most common door lock/deadbolt sizes.

The versatility of this kit is further proven with templates for both hinges and bolt plates. What’s more, the router bit allows for precision and accuracy when drilling your door lock/deadbolt hole. All in all, this set has everything you might possibly need to install a lock on your wooden door!

5. Milwaukee 49-22-4073 Polycarbonate Door Lock and Deadbolt Installation Kit

Highlighted Features

  • Compatible with both 1 3/8″ and 1 3/4″ thickness doors
  • Included arbor bits and saw blades allow for hassle-free installation
  • Saw blades made from sharp, strong carbide-coated teeth
  • Plastic anti-splinter depth stop prevents hole saw blowing through the door

Milwaukee 49-22-4073 Polycarbonate 1-38 - 1-34 Door Lock and Deadbolt Installation KitMilwaukee is yet another heavyweight construction tools brand that has proven its worth in almost a century of successful operations. This 10-piece door lock installation kit is ideal for accurate and precise installations and is durably built for continued use.

First, let’s see what’s in the box. Included with your purchase will be an auto-centering drill guide, 2 hole saws, anti-splinter depth stop, pilot bit and small arbor, arbor spacer and adaptor, 3/32″ drill bit and 1/8″ drill bit.

Wow, that’s quite a kit! Each of the components are meant to make your installation experience that much easier. The saw bits come with access slots on their sides, allowing you to easily access your plugs with your hand tools. This greatly enhances efficiency and shortens the duration of work.

The plastic anti-splinter depth stop fits conveniently into your hole saw, which precludes any situation where your hole saw might blow through the door. This will produce a hole so clean that you won’t be able to tell if you or a professional made it!

And speaking of the hole saw, its teeth are coated in carbide, which allows for a precise, clean and smooth cut. Furthermore, the reinforced steel backing reduces or prevents wobbling, allowing a smooth cut.

The best thing about this kit is that fastening it can be achieved without the help of any screws or other fasteners. The non-slip clamp sits flush with the door and does not leave scuff marks on it. Overall, this is a dependable solution if you’re looking to make clean, quick door lock holes in your wooden door with ease.


Buying Guide for Door Lock Installation Kit

In order to find a door lock installation kit best suited to your needs, it’s important to keep the following factors in mind before making your purchase.

Compatibility

A door lock installation kit is no good unless it’s compatible with the majority of doors. Accordingly, the included hole saws in the kit must come in a variety of different sizes that can fit most door lock sizes.

Compatibility is especially important to keep in mind if you have a metal door. While some kits are only meant for use with wooden doors, some can also be used on metal ones. If you have one of the latter, make sure to check your chosen kit’s abilities.

Construction Material

The durability of your door lock installation kit will be determined in large part by the quality and strength of materials used in the construction of the saw(s) in the kit. Although the lure of cheaply priced saws is understandable, remember that when it comes to construction tools, you get what you pay for.

Now, usually saws in these kits are made from carbon steel, which is a decently sturdy and durable metal. However, if you’re after extreme strength, then we would recommend going for M3 steel or high-speed steel. These will allow you to make holes faster and with greater precision.

If you will be drilling through metal doors, we would definitely recommend going for a kit that has saws with diamond-tipped or carbide blades, as these are the only materials capable of cutting through metal.

Power

Some saw/door installation kits are meant to be used with electric corded tools (think power drills), which need to be plugged into an electric socket to be operated. These tend to be more powerful and offer higher RPM.

On the other hand, if you’re purchasing an installation kit for professional purposes, you might benefit more from a wireless, portable saw. These are usually battery-powered. They do tend to offer lower performance, though, so choose accordingly.

FAQs for Door Lock Installation Kit 

1. What is a hole saw, and why do I need it?

A hole saw allows you to create holes on tough work surfaces such as metal, wood, and plastic. Since door locks tend to be circular in shape, you’ll need to saw a hole in the door.

2. Why do I need a drill bit?

Drill bits work like guides when drilling holes. Without the use of a drill bit, you might end up with a warped saw. Not to mention, your workpiece (in this case, the door) will be negatively impacted as well.

3. What material is best for the construction of hole saws?

Carbon steel is the most popular choice, as it’s strong, sharp, and durable. However, if you’re looking for a more heavy-duty saw, we’d recommend using one made from M3 steel.

4. How to install a door lock using an installation kit?

The answer to this is a long one and is best answered by Google. However, we would like to stress the importance of having accurate measurements before beginning the installation process.

5. What is the most affordable door lock installation kit?

The Ryobi A99DLK4 Door Lock Installation Kit most closely fits this criterion; however, if you’re working with metal doors, you might want to consider a different one.

Conclusion

So that concludes our reviews of the best door lock installation kits currently available on the market. Whichever one you end up purchasing, remember to keep in mind the compatibility and strength of the product, combined with its ease of use.

Good luck, and may your door lock holes be clean and precise each time!