Gate latch is a general name for a number of locking devices used by landowners to ensure basic security of access to the territory. Correctly installing a lock is a way to prevent intruders or simply strangers from entering the site whose visit is undesirable. The term “valves” refers to a variety of devices purchased in a supermarket or at the construction market, special and cunning mechanisms that work on different principles. Although craftsmen often prefer to make gate valves with their own hands.
Wooden gate
How to make a gate lock with your own hands?
Owners of summer cottages or country houses strive to protect their property from penetration by burglars, intruders and other unauthorized persons. One way to protect the territory is to install a fence with massive gates. To increase the security of gates, they are equipped with bolts and other mechanisms that can create an obstacle in case of unauthorized intrusion. It’s worth taking a closer look at how to make constipation yourself.
What might you need?
Despite the fact that the modern market is represented by a large selection of deadbolts and locks, many people strive to make them themselves. This is due to the fact that the locking mechanism, created independently, is an individual device, which can increase the security of the territory.
The design of the deadbolt directly depends on the dimensions of the gate, the material of the locking product itself and a number of other characteristics.
Today we can distinguish the following options for sliding elements.
Manufacturers also produce locking devices, the principle of which lies in the fact that the doors are hidden when the handle is turned. This mechanism is also used on safes. At the same time, it is possible to achieve fixation of the valves in the desired position. Almost any device can be made independently using available materials.
Homemade latches
A simple latch is easy to assemble yourself. For convenience, a simple horizontal spring latch mechanism is used.
Design sketch
Before making a gate latch with your own hands, you should determine the location on the door leaf to install the latch. A tape measure and a marker indicate installation areas.
After this you need to prepare:
- rod with eye;
- steel plates;
- welding;
- pliers;
- spring;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- a set of keys;
- hacksaw
The latch for the gate is made with your own hands sequentially. First, the frame is made. Why are ears welded to the plate, which will later hold the rod. The handle is attached to the rod, everything is installed simultaneously with the spring in the prepared frame. Next, the finished latch is installed.
Detailing
If the gate is made of corrugated sheets, the lock is secured by welding to the marked place or the fastening is secured with bolts.
If the model is wooden, self-tapping screws are used for installation. Opposite the locking rod, in the required location of the sash support, a hole is made to secure the shutter when closing.
Simple design drawing
The latch is almost ready. But it can only be opened from the inside, so you can make a torsion bar structure. To do this, take a steel cable of the required size. Holes are made for it at the bottom of the gate.
After this, the cable is attached to the latch, pulled out through the hole and fixed in a closed area. If you pull the cable from the street, the door leaf will open.
The homemade latch design can be seen in the photo below.
After production
Hidden mechanism
It happens that the keyholes or secret mechanism are not visible on the door, and it is impossible to open the door. If you look closely at this design, you can determine that there is still a valve on the inside.
But it opens from the street, and at first it is difficult to understand exactly how. The secret is the hexagon-shaped bolt head, lost between the screws on the door leaf. With the help of a hexagon, this tricky lock can be opened with ease.
Sketch
The point is that a simple latch rail is located on the inside of the door, and when the bolt is turned, it duplicates the turn, unlocking or locking the gate. These latches are very easy to make.
A shutter with a connector for the flat is placed there. The latch is assembled like this: first make a hole for the rod, then chamfer it to recess the head flush.
Electric option
The most important thing during the manufacture and installation of a locking mechanism is a well-designed diagram, precisely adjusted dimensions, and care. It is also necessary to provide prudent protection for the latch from the negative effects of weather conditions.
A specially made metal canopy will help provide the required protection from precipitation.
Making different varieties
The main task of hickeys is to ensure the safety of the territory. With their help, it is possible to reduce the risk of intruders entering the site.
When making a latch for sliding or swing gates, it is worth paying attention to the reliability of the mechanism. The appearance of the mechanism is not so important, since the installation of the bolt occurs from the inside of the yard.
It’s worth taking a closer look at how to make the most common types of shutters with your own hands.
"Turntables"
Often found on garage doors and other buildings. A spinner is a device with a simple operating mechanism, the moving part of which is a wooden block. Main parameters of the part:
Wooden beams are mounted on channels, which are secured with bolts. This approach allows you to achieve maximum immobility of the structure. The work may require a welding machine or a drill if the first is not available. The beams are mounted on two channels, one of which is installed a little higher, the other a little lower.
The spinner should rotate counterclockwise.
Features of assembly and installation of the bolt.
To avoid any problems while rotating the bolt, you should put two washers on it. It is also recommended to grind off the outside of the bolt head and paint it so that it becomes invisible.
"Barrier"
This is a type of turntable with a similar design. The only difference is that the steel strip is fixed using a channel welded along the short side of the sash.
Eyelets are also sometimes welded on the end of the channel in order to use a padlock in the future.
You can make a barrier for a street gate yourself; the mechanism is quickly assembled.
Sometimes the barrier is reinforced with a lock. To do this, weld a loop to one of the sides of the plate, where the constipation will subsequently be attached. The second ring will need to be secured to the sash.
"Espagnolette"
There are two types of latches: vertical and horizontal. The latter are a simpler design, which is installed on one side of the fixed sash. Such bolts are made in the shape of the letter G. To assemble the mechanism, reinforcement with a diameter of 12-14 mm is used, the length of the rod is 70 cm. To assemble a vertical bolt, you will need the following.
To make such a constipation, you will need a metal pipe with a diameter of 10 mm or more. The material will subsequently need to be cut into three pieces.
The length of one should be 10 cm, the rest - 5 cm.
The latch is assembled as follows.
The last step is to secure the lock by attaching a piece of metal plate. It is installed under the handle. If you plan to use a padlock, ears are welded onto the deadbolt where the lock can be secured. It is noteworthy that the latch does not provide complete fixation of the valves. To achieve this result, you need to use several valves or assemble a lock with a more complex design that can press the valves.
One common locking mechanism design is the “ship container” deadbolt.
Any garage worker will appreciate such a deadbolt, because with its help it will be possible to fix the doors in the required position, without having to bend or reach when opening or closing the gate. Assembling the mechanism involves performing the following steps.
Espagnolette for external gates
A simple locking device such as a latch will help strengthen the protection of external gates. Its advantage is the ease of assembly, the disadvantage is the formation of a gap when the valves do not fit tightly. However, constipation remains reliable. It looks like a metal rod with a stop, moving on a slide. The device can be bought at a building materials store or welded at home.
Of the types of latch, we draw your attention to the bolt, the metal strip of which fits into an iron loop pocket. You can make it as follows:
- weld 2 hinges along the edges of the gate leaves;
- attach the tongue on one side so that it fits tightly into the 2nd loop;
- To enhance the functions, equip the bolt with a stopper.
The espagnolette is easy to design and install
Recommendations
Many people think about what is better: buying a valve or making it yourself? In the case of gates, it is recommended to buy a latch, but for gates you can make a lock yourself. The explanation for this decision is simple.
When making homemade deadbolts, you can use improvised means and secondary raw materials in the form of leftover scraps of pipes or other metal products. The final choice of type of constipation depends on the owner of the site.
How to make a gate lock with your own hands, see below.
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Description and purpose
Reliably locking the door or gate will help secure your home and prevent uninvited guests from getting inside. The simplest types of locking devices are latches, bolts, latches and latches. Such products may differ in their appearance and design.
Often such models have a spring mechanism. To protect the spring bolt from spontaneous opening, a special threaded handle-screw is provided.
Choosing a homemade or factory-made deadbolt for the gate
Based on common sense, we state that at the gate of the courtyard of a private house where we live permanently, it is enough to lock it from the inside. This solution also applies to garage doors. If the gate is not under control, for example in a country house, you need to add a lock. It is also better to lock the gate, and it is convenient to have an intercom with a remote-controlled lock in the house.
A deadbolt or latch can be purchased at the store. We can conditionally divide the locking devices into:
At the same time, installing a factory product can be difficult, and sometimes impossible. Moreover, in conditions of mass production, metal is necessarily saved, so the factory version often has insufficient strength.
In many cases, it is more practical to make a gate lock yourself. Every owner will always have scraps of rods, angles and pipes that can find a new useful life. In this case, you should choose a simple and reliable device design. If there is a need to ensure that the internal deadbolt can be unlocked from the outside, it is better to purchase a factory deadbolt lock.
Types of devices
The conditional division of locking devices is carried out according to different criteria. What matters is the degree of complexity and the need to use a key for the device. It is also important in what capacity this mechanism will be used: as an autonomous means to protect the passage or as an auxiliary one for temporary blocking while the owners are at home.
It is worth paying attention to the following:
The option of making your own valves and locks for gates and gates requires professional skills and tools if there is a need to manufacture a complex mechanism.
Every owner can make a simple but reliable locking device, if it is a pinwheel, a hook or a vertical latch.
Incompetent sources often confuse the manufacture of gate bolts with the processes of equipping gate valves. Although any person faced with this problem understands that types of devices differ in weight, reliability, functionality and even frequency of use.
Of course, the best option for creating a reliable closure is to purchase a gate along with a gate and a latch or bolt. There are specially developed mechanisms matching systems. They ensure both the reliability of the device and its trouble-free operation.
Locking options for swing gates
Let's look at swing gate locks using a specific example. In this case, there is a horizontal deadbolt, two vertical pins and a remote control lock on the gate.
It would seem that you can get by with one horizontal or one vertical bolt. However, this is impossible for gates made of corrugated sheets, since they have a continuous coating and a large area, which leads to a large load on the structure in strong winds.
In the photo you see a dent from the horizontal bolt. It was formed during a strong wind when the vertical pins were forgotten to be put in place. Moreover, as a result of the incident, a steel bolt with a diameter of 16 mm bent and the gate opened.
There are also exactly two vertical locks required, since when one half of the gate is opened, the second must be securely fixed. Moreover, reliable latches for both doors should be provided on the outside of the yard. In this example, these are pipes with a diameter of 51 mm driven into the ground. Thus, the wind will not be able to damage either the gate or the car in any situation.
Locking device options
How are gate locks different from regular locks? First of all, the lack of a key. There is no need to carry extra keys with you, since you can securely close the door at any time using the lock.
There are many options for types of locking devices, which differ in the location of installation on the gate and the method of operation. The most common of them are the following types:
- Vertical type deadbolts.
A fairly convenient design that allows you to securely fasten gate leaves or gates. Its most common use is as a latch for swinging garage doors. To fix the gate leaves, metal rods with handles are used, which fit into grooves in the floor and ceiling; they securely fix the gate in the closed position. The fixation of the locks themselves is ensured by fastenings on the gates, made in the form of shelves, into which the lock handles are inserted by turning them. Simple vertical bolt on gates - A simple vertical deadbolt. Mainly used for built-in gates and is a smaller copy of a vertical lock. Mounted at the top or bottom of the gate.
- Horizontal bolts. The horizontal latch is used on almost any gate and wicket. The principle of operation is practically no different from the vertical type of bolts and, having a fairly simple design, is perhaps the most common type of bolts.
- Deadbolts secured with springs.
This type of locks mainly serves to secure the gate or wicket in the opening and is installed on the inside of the gate. The spring design allows the mechanism to be activated without much effort. For greater reliability, it is proposed to install duplicate bolts. Various sizes of spring gate bolts - Mortise lock. Possessing relatively high reliability, this type of constipation is quite easy to buy in almost any hardware store and quite difficult to do with your own hands. To install it, you need to drill a hole in the base of the gate. The disadvantage is that you must carry the key to this lock with you.
- Sliding overhead bolts. This device is distinguished by its simplicity and can be installed on almost any type of material. This lock can be installed on any side of the gate; the only prerequisite is a flat surface of the material. The reinforced flat rod provides this type of deadbolt with high reliability and strong closure of the gate. Often such locks are duplicated with padlocks, which do not allow the bolt to be opened when the padlock is closed.
- Screw shutters are mounted on the front of the gate and are also easy to use. The basis of the mechanism is a pin with a cut thread and a turnkey base, on which there is a small tubercle and a slot. Using a key with an identical base cutout and pin, the shutter device is activated. This type of lock is quite simple and is not difficult to make with your own hands, but the mechanism itself requires quite a lot of free space in the gate for its installation. Moreover, finding the key to such a lock will not be difficult, so you should not rely too much on it.
- Rack deadbolt. This type of lock is quite difficult to make at home without a turning tool and relevant experience. The mechanism consists of keys with special grooves cut into them and the base of the bolt corresponding to these grooves. Such a device has a fairly long service life and is distinguished by its reliability, however, even for this type of lock, the keys are quite easy to counterfeit. It is recommended to complement these deadbolts with other types of locks.
- Groove lock with rotary mechanism. With a fairly simple design, this mechanism has a high quality and level of protection against opening the lock. However, despite the low complexity of the device, its independent production requires quite a lot of experience and the appropriate tools. The principle of operation of the mechanism is based on the fact that when the key enters the keyhole, using circular movements, it engages the gears of the mechanism, which in turn opens or closes the gate.
Latches and clamps for sliding gates
Sliding gates are a rather complex device, and their movement is carried out along one line. Thus, a vertical pin is sufficient to block the opening. Depending on the design of the gate, you can select a suitable locking option from those shown in the photo.
Let's list them in order:
At the same time, we must not forget that one of the owners of the gate may forget or not know that it is blocked. As a result, when you try to open the gate, for example using a key fob, voltage will be applied to the drive and the electric motor will fail.
One possible solution is to install a limit switch that de-energizes the drive when the limit pin is in the locked position. This is the option shown in the photo. The same can be done with vertical automatic garage doors.
Tips for choosing
Homemade products and purchased constipations are quite numerous, so it can be quite difficult to decide on their choice. The choice of product depends on the method of application of the model.
When choosing locking devices for gates, there are many things to consider. It is important that such products fulfill their intended purpose, that is, reliably protect against uninvited guests entering the territory.
At the same time, such products should also perform a decorative function.
A beautiful latch and mechanical forged street lock on iron gates or corrugated sheet products will look very interesting. This option is often chosen to protect swing gates; they are installed on wooden gates or metal gates.
When purchasing a finished product, you should consider:
All of the above parameters will affect the size of the model, its weight and complexity.
To lock gates or gates, it is better to choose not a simple deadbolt, but a more massive and durable external lock. Such a product will allow the owner of the estate to protect the home, preventing intruders from opening the locks from the outside.
Experts recommend purchasing such products at hardware stores. This is especially true for gate bolts that have one type. You can also make models for gates yourself.
Gate valves are in plain sight, so it is important that they are reliable and visually attractive. The gate is used much more often, so the operation of such mechanisms must be precisely adjusted.
Unlike wickets, gates have different parameters. They differ in appearance, in their size, design, and materials. In the case of gates, it is better to install the device hidden to exclude visibility, because here the beauty of the latch is less important than the protective functions of the product.
Purchasing a ready-made gate with a provided bolt or latch will be the best choice and will allow you to create reliable protection and fixation. There are special systems for such mechanisms that ensure the reliability of the entire structure and uninterrupted operation.
The choice of ready-made devices is made taking into account the building materials used for the gate, design and features. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the purchased device and the resistance of the material to negative natural factors. Considering that the locks will be in contact with moisture and air, the moving parts of the structure will begin to rust, so it is recommended to lubricate them with WD40 automotive lubricant.
Mechanical constipations often require repair, so it is advisable to choose simpler products that have a simple mechanism that does not require repair.
Barrier bolt
There is a proven way to lock the gate using a turntable or a beam of a certain length, which rotates on an axis and is installed in supports on the gate leaves.
Sometimes a hinge is installed on the turntable with a counterpart on the gate frame. The padlock shackle is threaded through the hinges and the gate is locked with a key. The turntable can also be supplemented with a latch, which prevents the gate from opening spontaneously when swayed by the wind. When starting work, it is useful to draw a scale sketch of the pinwheel on paper to avoid errors during assembly.
In the example shown in the photo, the structure consists of the following elements:
The support on the left half of the gate takes the load off the bolt and prevents the beam from falling to the ground when it is turned counterclockwise when opening. The lock hinges are welded directly to the gate frame. The original design of the deadbolt is presented in the following video.
Board spinner
Probably the wooden pinwheel is one of the oldest locks. Small turntables are installed on gates; longer boards are used to lock the gates.
The mechanism shown in the photo is suitable for single-leaf gates. You can also lock the gate from the inside.
For double-leaf gates, a turntable made according to this design is suitable. In this case, a long board rotates around an axis at its center. The fastening bolt is located on the edge of the sash. When rotating, the beam fits into the brackets on the gate leaves and is fixed in a horizontal position.
One loop is facing up, the other is facing down. The easiest way to make hinges is from the same board. To do this, you need to cut two pieces, the length of which is equal to the width of the board. The other two pieces should be twice as long. Short pieces are used as supports on which long pieces are mounted. It is convenient to assemble using self-tapping screws.
A board fixed in the center can turn spontaneously in a strong wind, and the gate will open. To prevent this from happening, the beam should be fixed. For example, you can drill a through hole in the beam and gate, into which you can install a fastener made of thick wire.
You can also add a long and thin wooden pinwheel above the left stop in the diagram. The turntable hangs on an axis located at the top and the gate beam rests against its lower end. If the locking pin is moved to the left, the beam can rotate.
Locking options for plastic decorative gates
Currently, there are a large number of materials from which you can make a light and beautiful gate. This could be a plastic picket fence, a PVC-coated welded mesh, or a thin picket fence on a profile frame. A modern gate has a modern lock, namely a magnetic lock. We see something like this on the entrance doors of apartment buildings equipped with intercoms.
Installing the product is not difficult, and it is extremely convenient to use. All components can be purchased at a construction supermarket such as Leroy Merlin.
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