Complete Guide On Installing a Blank/ Slab Door From Scratch!

In this video tutorial I give some tips, tricks, and advice on installing a new blank door into an old existing space. In this video I show how to measure the door knob hole without using a jig or anything like that. Just a square and pencil. I also show how to establish hinge locations and line them up with the old ones.
Door Knob Drilling Kit (If you need it, this one loos a lot better than the Craftsman I show in the video from Lowes:
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Chisel Set:
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Spring Hinge Pin Removal Tools:
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Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank You for Supporting my Channel.

[@GriffinsFanChris]

This looks to be a simple job, but I know from experience its very hard to get it just right. I've been looking for tips, so these should help, thanks. I do have a hinge jig.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Awesome! So glad I could help you... 😀

[@TheEnemiesEnemy]

You saved me a lot of money. You’re a great teacher 👍

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Wow, thanks! So glad I was able to help.... 😀

[@joaonobre7500]

I just recently learned how to put a lock on a door from scratch and took an interest to things related to this, this video is a very complete guide amd deserves more recognition, thanks for all the information

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you so much for the great feedback!.. 😀. You're welcome..

[@kurryball]

Just wanted to say thanks for this! I live in a 50s house with concrete interior walls and metal frames so it was pretty difficult getting the door to fit too since everything has settled. Your tips have helped with lining things up the best i could!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's awesome! I'm so glad I could help... 😀

[@niqa2000]

Love the video. I'm glad I kept looking for the right. Video I needed. Have to change my apartment doors. The management will charge me sense it's not wear and tear to them. And all I need is the door not anything else. You are a blessing. Thank you so much for the video step by step and different ways to install it . ❤

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's awesome! So glad I was able to help you.. You're welcome. 😊

[@gr8emama]

Thank you. I feel confident doing this.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Excellent! Glad I could help.. 😀

[@picmanjoe]

Really helpful tips. Thanks for putting this together.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

My pleasure! You're welcome!

[@MarkBigley]

Great video, sir. Going to earn some money today replacing a door using your steps

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's awesome! Glad I could help... 😎

[@MrBrandikevin]

Thank you sir, your video helped me lots. Much appreciated!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! So glad I could help... 😀

[@toolsandrepairs]

Very thorough and got some great shots in, thank you!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you so much!... 😀

[@177jamie]

Great guide, appreciate you sharing your expertise!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome!

[@matthewmazar7132]

Even if you don't paint the door just erase the graphite. Lol. You are awesome man!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Lol! TYSM!... I really appreciate it.

[@boneykingofsomewhere]

Good video, I learned!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

TYSM! SO glad I could help... 😊

[@johnjohn-ne8fw]

Nicely done! 👍

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you! 👍

[@stevetison1807]

Helpful. Thanks for the video.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome!

[@ashoa2]

Great video, thank you very much!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Awesome! You're welcome... 😀

[@Alex-n4s1j]

What a great video Thank you 🙏🏽

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You are so welcome!

[@ferofiz]

Great video, thanks

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

TYSM! You're welcome.. 😊

[@Shiftrealities360]

Thank you soooo much!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome... 😊

[@Shiftrealities360]

Could you use the old door as a pattern for the location of hinges an other hardware?@@TheHomeImprovementChannel

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Yes you can, but the locations have to be just about exact. The hinge pockets don't like to be even 1/8 off... 😊@@Shiftrealities360

[@Shiftrealities360]

Thanks again, love that you put these videos out.@@TheHomeImprovementChannel

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

YW!@@Shiftrealities360

[@hooshangzargarbashi3015]

Good job !

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you so much!

[@Zach64612]

this was a great video. thanks!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're very welcome!

[@-ZEMOSGATE-]

Awesome! Thanks

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

YW!

[@benthehandyman9667]

Cutting from the lock side will also mess up the backset of the lock if you purchased a door blank that is already bored. Just my opinion, I would rather take the 1/8th off the hinge side less problematic. Good video

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Yes for sure.... You can easily re-vamp the hinge cut outs if needed.

[@matthewmazar7132]

Tim Allen looking rough. Great information, joke aside. Keep doing you, brotha! 😊

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Lol! TYSM.... 😊

[@jhruiz84]

Rambo 500 years later 😂😂

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

😂

[@themeat5053]

Rudy, you are nothing if not professional. Thanks for showing and explaining the goof up. We all make them. Using the screwdriver itself as a centering punch is a pro tip. 🚪

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Yes! I make them more often than I care to admit! Lol... Thanks for the great feedback... 😀

[@Jeff-ik3hn]

Do you have a video on how to build a door jamb for a slab door?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

I don't, but that's a great idea. I'll look into it.. Thanks.. 😊😊

[@1qtpie]

How do you feel about using a grinder drill bit to make a hole slightly bigger to fit the new lock?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

If your lock doesn't fit, it'll be ok. But the standard drill size is 2 1/8. If you make the hole bigger than that and you want to change locks one day, it might not fit right.

[@drewbeisly7328]

0:31 spacing on the bottom of the door matters for proper air flow. To tight and your room will be stuffy.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That and it'll drag on the floor... 😀

[@thatonegirl6880]

I like it to be tight on the threshold seal to keep pests out.

[@drewbeisly7328]

@@thatonegirl6880 you have pests crawling around on the inside of your house? May want to call an exterminator

[@thatonegirl6880]

@@drewbeisly7328 well the sellers had pest control here before I closed on the house a month ago. But I catch the pests as they come in. To prevent them entering it’s a good idea to have all exterior doors sealed. Including the one to the garage. And that is all I was alluding to in my previous response.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Yes that's one way to do it!.. I prefer the gap around the door to be pretty even. You wouldn't want a big gap at the top and the sides are like 1/8"... In my humble opinion, that wouldn't look right.. 😀@@thatonegirl6880

[@bulk_money642]

Hey Rudy do you mind me asking where you got all this trade knowledge I’m an electrical apprentice at the moment and you seem to have journeyman level tips and tricks

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you! I'm old and have done a lot of research... 😂

[@bodanlunny1323]

Thank B

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome!

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

how do you know which side of the door to put the door knob? I mean the left or the right side? or do both sides of the door have a solid wood to drill through for the knob hole?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

HI, with this style of door there are 6 sections. 4 with longer rectangles and 2 smaller square ones. The smaller ones always go to the top. Then it's a matter of which way the door needs to go for correct operation. Left or right hand operation. Yes you can put the door knob on either side depending on your application.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

@@TheHomeImprovementChannel so there is a lock block on both sides of the door for the lockset/knob?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

I can't say for sure about the door you have, but I've never had a problem drilling into a blank door. That's been my experience. When you buy a new blank door they aren't labeled left or right, it's just a blank door that can be used on either side.@@ScreamingEagleFTW

[@arthurevans2029]

Did I miss the part where you selected the size of hole saw bit? I noticed that the old door knob lips are about 1 & 1/2 inch apart, but my new replacement knob has about 2 & 1/16 gap. The old hole is not even close to a circle and seems to have been very sloppily cut, by who knows who and what tools. I need to cut a bigger hole and keep it lined up somehow, but I only want to do it once. Should I use a 2" or 2-1/8" hole saw bit? I am afraid it will wiggle as I try to manipulate through a partially open space and partially solid door, as the existing hole is in the shape resembling a Chevy logo or something.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

HI Arthur... Usually the hole saw for an interior door is 2 1/8". The backset is usually 2 3/8 from the edge of the door to the center of the hole for the knob. There is a 2 3/4 backset, but I think the 2 3/8 is the most common. The hole for the lock part is 1". Hope that helps.

[@arthurevans2029]

@@TheHomeImprovementChannel thanks for your response. I asked because I had a cheap set of hole saw bits with a wide range of sizes but no 2-1/8. I was hoping to make the 2" work, but I opted to buy a cheap install kit from Harbor Freight with a guide so the existing crazy shaped hole doesn't move me all over the place. The saw bit that comes with it of course is standard 2-1/8. The old knob must be from the 50s or 60s. I believe the house was built around that time, and they definitely did not use a hole saw of any kind.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Great! Yes that should do you fine. I have a feeling the 2" would have worked (probably). As long as the knob fits that's all that really matters.@@arthurevans2029

[@saleseng]

No you don’t really need a jig but many of them include both hole saws cheap enough price where you might as well🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

If you don't already have the hole saws then I definitely agree with you! Luckily I already had some various sizes.. 😀

[@kehexx]

The way americans measure is wack.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Great! Thanks.

[@leeculver3732]

Nice video. Thank you!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you very much and you're welcome... 😊