I have a framed ledge and braced hardwood front door. The ledge is
the
ideal height for fitting a mortice lock (just above a third of the
way
up the door), but that will mean cutting into the wedged tenons
fixing
the ledge. It's a hefty frame (100x56), and a very hefty ledge
(180x56).
Would I be better off just fitting to the frame slightly above or
below
the ledge?

Received wisdom is to avoid cutting into the tenons, as it may over
the years lead to the door dropping. OTOH it's not unusual to see it
done. Up to you to decide if you think your door will take it.

sheepish wrote:
I have a framed ledge and braced hardwood front door. The ledge is
the
ideal height for fitting a mortice lock (just above a third of the
way
up the door), but that will mean cutting into the wedged tenons
fixing
the ledge. It's a hefty frame (100x56), and a very hefty ledge
(180x56).
Would I be better off just fitting to the frame slightly above or
below
the ledge?

Sheepish,

Use a 21/2" mortice lock and put it where it suits you as there are
different schools of thought about cutting the tenons in the middle rail
(ledge).

To put that into perspective, the middle rail is around 9" wide and the lock
around 3" wide - so even cutting the tenons will leave enough 'strength' to
take whatever is throw at it.


Brian G