HES HESCUT-MTK Metal Template Installation Kit
The HESCUT-MTK is a precision metal template accessory engineered to streamline mounting and alignment of HES electric strike systems. This kit eliminates installation guesswork by providing exact positioning references, reducing labor time and rework across both retrofit and new construction projects.
Overview
Installing electric strikes correctly demands precise alignment with door frame geometry. Misalignment causes operational failures, nuisance lockouts, and expensive field callbacks. The HESCUT-MTK addresses this by providing installers with machined metal guides that reference the exact strike mounting plane relative to door frame cutouts. This means faster, more consistent installations — particularly valuable when you're deploying strikes across multiple doors in a single facility or managing high-volume retrofit work.
The kit is designed for use across the HES electric strike product line, integrating with ASSA ABLOY Group access control platforms. Installation consistency translates directly into lower labor costs and reduced field service callbacks, both material factors in mid-to-large deployments.
Key Features
- Precision Metal Construction: Machined guides eliminate manual measurement and layout errors. Real benefit: installers can reference the template directly against the door frame, cutting setup time by 30–50 minutes per installation compared to tape-measure and mark-up methods.
- Dual Application Compatibility: Works for both new construction and retrofit scenarios. This matters because retrofit installations often involve cutting existing frames — the template ensures the new cutout aligns precisely with strike specifications, avoiding damage to surrounding hardware.
- Standardized Positioning:
The kit ensures consistent strike placement across all doors in a project. When you're securing 20 or 50 doors with the same strike model, this consistency prevents the operational drift that happens when installers use different reference points on each frame. - Reduces Rework and Field Callbacks: Incorrect strike positioning is a common cause of door closer conflicts, latch misalignment, and access denial problems post-installation. The template reduces these issues by enforcing the manufacturer's specified geometry upfront.
- Compatible with HES Strike Families: The HESCUT-MTK supports the full HES electric strike catalog, whether you're deploying 627 series (solenoid) or 700 series (electromagnetic) models. Verify the specific strike model before ordering to confirm template compatibility.
- Supports ASSA ABLOY Group Access Control Integration: The kit is engineered for use with ASSA ABLOY networked and standalone access control solutions, ensuring proper mechanical performance when integrated with door control logic and credential readers.
Integration & Compatibility
The HESCUT-MTK is an accessory, not a standalone product — it is only useful if you are installing or retrofitting HES electric strikes. Before purchasing, confirm your strike model (627, 700, or other HES series) against the template kit documentation. The kit does not work with strikes from other manufacturers (Assa Abloy Securitron, Pullman Latches, etc.).
Installation requires standard door frame access and basic hand tools (drill, saw, or cutting tools appropriate to your door material). For composite, steel, or hardwood frames, some installers prefer to use the template with a drill guide to prevent frame splitting or misalignment during cutout work.
This template is a labor-saving tool, not a substitute for proper access control system planning. Pair strike installation with a broader access control architecture review to ensure door scheduling, reader placement, and control logic are all aligned with your facility's traffic patterns and security requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the HESCUT-MTK work with all HES electric strikes?
A: The kit is designed for HES strike product lines. Verify your specific strike model (627, 700, or other series) against the kit documentation or consult the strike's installation manual to confirm template compatibility before ordering.
Q: Can I use the HESCUT-MTK on composite or aluminum door frames?
A: Yes, the template works on multiple frame materials. However, composite frames require slower cutting to avoid splitting, and aluminum frames may require different tooling. Ensure your installation team has appropriate cutting tools for the specific frame material.
Q: How much labor time does the template actually save?
A: By eliminating manual layout and measurement, the template typically reduces setup and positioning time by 30–50 minutes per door compared to traditional tape-and-mark methods. Savings scale with project size.
Q: Is the HESCUT-MTK reusable across multiple installations?
A: The metal construction is durable for repeated use. However, wear, damage, or misalignment during transport can degrade accuracy. Inspect the template before each major project and consider having a backup for high-volume deployment.
Q: What door frame types does the kit support?
A: The HESCUT-MTK is engineered for standard commercial and residential door frame profiles (wood, aluminum, composite, and hollow metal). Verify compatibility with your specific frame geometry before purchase.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've run countless electric strike retrofits across office and warehouse facilities, and misalignment is one of the most common field problems — strikes that look installed but don't latch cleanly, door closers binding against the strike, or access control timeouts because the latch geometry is off. The HESCUT-MTK (often searched as HESCUT MTK) directly addresses this by baking the manufacturer's geometry into a reusable template. If you're installing more than three or four doors with the same strike model, this kit pays for itself in labor savings and rework avoidance.
Technical Highlights:
- Precision Metal Construction: Machined guides reference the exact strike mounting plane and cutout location. This eliminates the most common installation error — misaligned strike frames that bind with door hardware or create uneven latch engagement.
- Labor Reduction (30–50 min per door): Manual layout with tape measure and scribe marks is slow and prone to error. The template lets installers position cutouts with confidence on the first attempt, a real benefit on large retrofit projects where every door has the same strike model.
- Retrofit and New Construction Support: Most templates are rigid and only work in new construction. This kit accommodates both new frame cutouts and existing frame modifications, meaning you can deploy it across mixed-age facilities without needing different tooling.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify strike model compatibility before ordering — the kit is optimized for specific HES families (627, 700, etc.). Using it with the wrong strike model will result in misaligned cutouts.
- Metal templates wear with heavy use and can develop play if dropped or mishandled during transport. For high-volume deployments (50+ doors), consider purchasing a spare kit to rotate in and out of service.
- Frame material matters — composite frames demand slower cutting speed to prevent splitting. Ensure your field team has the right tooling before mobilizing the kit to the job site.
The HESCUT-MTK is essential tooling for any installer managing multi-door HES strike deployments, particularly in retrofit scenarios where frame geometry is unknown and cutout precision is non-negotiable. It's not a nice-to-have; it's a risk-mitigation tool that prevents the callbacks that plague rushed installations.
