Sticking Deadbolts
To the Editor:
I read with interest Byron Papa's
article, "Fine-Tuning Entry Door
Locksets" (7/96); in particular, his
advice to use a brass wood screw to
prevent a deadbolt's complete extension
as a solution to a sticky bolt. This
will defeat the "dead locking" feature
of that type of lock and would make
jimmying the lock with a pen knife
possible. With the bolt fully extended,
the bolt is "dogged" in place and
would be very difficult to retract without
the key.
Steve Timms
Montomery, Alabama
Byron Papa replies:
You are right: If a deadbolt plunger isn't
extended all the way out, its locking mechanism
won't engage and the bolt can be
pushed back in. I used the technique