How do you remove a tapon for a deadbolt's screws?
Question:I installed a double cylinder deadbolt on my front door. After tightening the screws on the indoor side of the lock, I placed tapon(s) on the screw heads.
I realized a few days later that I installed the lock a little slanted. Is there any way I can remove the tapon(s) so I can access the screws?
Answers:
I'm guessing that it is a Schlage deadbolt, and you are talking about the little inserts included to conceal the screw head.
The best way I have found to remove them is to cut a slot in the "tap on" using a Dremel tool with a cut off wheel. Or, you can try using a small, sharp center punch to start the screw turning counter-clockwise. Patience is a must, to prevent marring the appearance of the deadbolt or shedding blood.
Either way, you will destroy the "tap on". Don't worry about it- no burglar is going to go to the trouble to blindly diassemble a deadbolt. They are burglars because they are lazy and stupid.
The best way is to make a screwdriver slot with a Dremel. I do it often to rekey Schlage double deadbolts.
I`m assuming you mean Tapcon ?
Yes. One good thing about them is, you can remove them if a mistake is made.
I use them a Lot!
Simply unscrew them with the same nut driver(?)/tool you used to screw them in.
"You DO still have it don`t you?", he Gasps.
Good Luck!
RT
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