Cam Lock Standard Lengths & Sizes | How to Measure Cam Lock Cylinder Length | CNCLATHING

2020.7.20

Cam locks often can be found in cabinets, furniture kits and desk drawers, simple to assembly and cost-effective. CNClathing.com is a professional lock cylinder machining company offering OEM CNC machining lock parts with standard or custom specifications. Here we’ll outline the cam lock lengths and how to measure it. Understand more lock sizes for replacing and installing.

What is a Cam Lock?

Cam lock is a type of commonly used locks for securing doors, lockers, safety boxes, windows, cabinets, drawers, file cabinets and other applications, typically applied for the file cabinets and desk drawers in offices, to protect your personal information and important files. A cam lock is a simple construction but can provide extra security for valuable items. It consists of the base and a cam. The cam of the lock is a metal plate, which is attached to the core of the locking device and rotates as the key is inserted and turned, between 90 to 180 degrees.

Standard Cam Lock Length & Dimensions

The standard lengths for cam locks are including 5/8″, 7/8″, 1-1/8″ and 1-3/8″. 

5/8 Inch Locks: L=5/8 inch, fits door thickness up to 3/8”

7/8 Inch Locks: L=7/8 inch, fits door thickness up to 5/8”

1 1/8 Inch Locks: L=1 1/8 inch, fits door thickness up to 7/8”

1 3/8 Inch Locks: L=1 3/8 inch, fits door thickness up to 1 1/8”

How to Measure Cam Lock Cylinder Length

When you are going to replace a current cam lock or install a new door lock, you need to remove the old one to measure the dimensions and make the standard door measurements. The length of a lock cylinder can be measured by the threads correctly, the width is measured by the two flat spots. The length of a cam lock is measured from the center of the hole to the end of cam, start behind the cam head and measure along with the cylinder to the inside face of the cam. Most cam locks have threads that go all the way to the cam which means the difference between the material thickness and the length of the cylinder is usually 1/4″, the 1/4″ distance is required for cylinder nut to tighten. 

More Standard Lock Sizes

– Lock bore: refers to the diameter of the hole on the door for installing the lock body. The standard bore for most of the current locks is 2-1/8”. If you want to replace it with locks has smaller diameter holes, re-drill the door or look for custom lock cylinder manufacturer to make suitable locks. 

– Lock spacing: the distance between the upper and lower lock on the door, measured in the length of two centers of the holes. When boring deadbolt locks in a door, there are two common standards for spacing between the bottom lock and the deadbolt, they are 5-1/2” and 6” from the centers of the two holes. There are other combinations of lock spacing for specialty locks.

– Backset: the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the lock bore. Standard backsets are 2-3/8” and 2-3/4”. Other options include 2” and 5”. When replacing locks, the latch backset needs to match the holes bored in the door.

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