WOW What a Job!!!
I was asked by a Château owner for a solution to lock an area for his private quarters.
The entrance was a limestone arch in the main entrance hall which had never had a door fitted. An on-site joiner manufactured and fitted a bespoke door into the frame.
I supplied and fitted a euro mortice deadlock complete with a 95mm cylinder with an antique-style decorative plate (Escutcheon) in keeping with the rest of the Chateau.
As the arch stonework was uneven limestone the Château owner did not want a full-length piece of wood as it would look far too messy.
I cut a 45cm piece of wood thick enough to take the boxed receiver. I chamfered the edges and morticed in the box receiver. I stained the wood to match the door and fired the receiver to age it appropriately.
Then came the hard bit …
I cut into the stone (with a sharp wide wood chisel!) to fit the receiver evenly, so it would have the right gap all the way down with a flat surface to sit against.
To finish off, I sourced an unusual antique hinged pull-handle from a local Brocante, which I cleaned, waxed aged and fitted to the door close to the lock to pull the door into position to lock it.
I really enjoyed this job as it certainly put my skills to the test (got my grey matter working on all levels!) but loved every minute of it.
