Residential & Commercial Security - Locks, Keys & Dead Bolts - +50 yr old deadbolt-1 way screw problem

Hi everyone,

First time on this forum, looks great.


I am trying to remove a very old brass deadbolt assembly from a wooden door. House was built in 1912, but i do not know when the DB was installed, atleast 50 yrs ago.

On the inside, where the thumbscrew that extends the deadbolt is, there are 4 big screws that attach the whole unit to the door.

But these screws only allow tightening, the screw head has the 2nd and 4th quadrants removed, there there is no grab in the lefty loosey direction.

Is there a special key that can get these out?
Do I have to drill them out with a reverese drill bit?


any help is always apreciated!

Hos:coffee:Beer 4U2

There is a special screwdriver called "The Un-Do-It" but they are pretty expensive; What I've done is get an old slotted screwdriver, sized correctly, and with a small bench grinder,
(or triangular file) grind or file a "V" notch in the blade so that
you are left with (2) points. Take a file and dress each point to a sharp "back angle". Now, push HARD while turning CCW
so that these sharp points dig into the "ramps" of the one-way screw.....it may take several short strokes to dig a new "slot" in the head. After you've backed it out a turn or so, you can get a pair of baby Vice Grips on the head to finish removal.

Incidentally, is there a brand name on the lock? Could it be a Yale or Segal?

The simple and inexpensive way is to use a center punch and hammer to tap the screws around until enough "meat" is there to put pliers on.

Simple and quick and no new tools made or modified.