How to make a door lock with your own hands

A gate is part of a fence whose purpose is to prevent strangers from entering your site. Therefore it should close. The lock should be such that not only does it not open itself, but also ensures reliability and aesthetics. There are many types and methods of constipation. Let's look at some of them and tell you how to do it yourself.

Types of gate locks

Making a homemade door lock: secret mechanisms, hidden structures

To protect the house from unauthorized entry, locks are installed on the doors.

Classification of locking systems

According to the degree of protection and the opening mechanism, products can be divided into the following groups:

constipations - hook, latch, etc.,
locks – mechanical, electromechanical, electromagnetic.

A simple option for the unlocking method is constipation. They do not contain a secret locking mechanism and no keys are used to unlock them.

Of the locks that have a mechanism, the simplest option is mechanical devices. To open or close them, you need a key, which is inserted into the well and, depending on the design, either turned or moved back and forth. As a result, the mechanism is triggered and the door opens.

An electrical signal is used to control electromechanical and electromagnetic devices. They allow the use of a remote control to open the system remotely. It is possible to use fingerprint or palm print reading, voice control, etc.

Depending on the type of device mounting, there are:

According to the type of locking mechanism, they are divided into lever and cylinder.

What else to pay attention to

A fence in the form of a wicket or gate cannot exist on its own, since it is initially designed for some type of lock.

Usually, at the request of the gate users, the lock is installed as a separate element that is in no way dependent on the gate.

Typical deadbolt model

The requirements for locking a gate must correspond to simple and practical solutions. In a word, it should open easily and without much effort. Also, all bolts, latches and latches on it must be combined with the general appearance of the fences, without violating the integrity of the architectural forms.

Homemade designs

It is very common to find pinwheels used to lock garage doors. They work like a deadbolt. The design is simple, you can install it yourself. The operating principle is as follows:

Eyelets must be mounted on the inside of the gate; they can be made of either metal or wood.
A turntable must be installed in the center of the gate using a through bolt. It will be driven by turning relative to the central part.
The ends of the turntable should fit into the eyes. This is how they lock the doors as securely as possible from the inside.

There are absolutely no parts of the castle outside. It is almost impossible to hack this design, so its reliability is very high.

Pinwheel and latch

To make a turntable, it is enough to have a small block of wood. It is nailed to the gate support (which is secured with latches) with a nail or a bolt (through). The spinner has a rotating mechanism.

The latch was loved for its versatility and reliability. It is attached to the frame, the door itself or the leaf. Sometimes it is mounted in the place where the gate opens from the side of the yard (it is not noticeable, it is as hidden as possible).

Making a latch

The shutter is constructed like this:

It is necessary to fix the pipe (0.5 m length) in the ground.
Mark the future location of fasteners and mechanisms.
On the gate canvas, above the pipe, we fix a cable or rod with a through hole (for twine).
We stretch the cable to a suitable convenient place. When it is tensioned (pressed), the latch rises and the gate opens. The main thing with a snap shutter is to treat it in a timely manner from the influence of the external environment (frost, rain, sun).

Pinwheel

Making a bracket with a hook

Installing the usual bracket with a hook will not cause any trouble. It is built like this:

We need hardware, which we buy or make ourselves from wire (up to 5 mm).
We process the wire with fire ourselves, holding it with pliers. We achieve full heat (red burning color) in the place of the future bend.
We take another pliers and form a hook by bending a hot rod.
We temper it with fire again.
Quickly dip into cold water.
We re-treat the tip of the hook with flame.
Bend the working part to the desired angle.
Final processing of the part by fire and subsequent placement in cool water.
In this way you can make any part for a future latch (bracket, hook...).
All that remains is to attach them to the gate leaf (usually with nails).

Simple circuit diagram

We treat metal products with a special anti-corrosion compound (if they are not galvanized).

Homemade screw lock with a secret for the garage - instructions and drawings

Even the most expensive, and therefore complex, shop locks are not a problem for an experienced burglar: the only difference is the time required to open them. Non-residential, detached buildings are at greatest risk from unauthorized entry. And if there is nothing special to take out of a small country house, then, for example, a garage is the object of increased attention of intruders: there is something to profit from in it.

Mortise and padlocks are not a barrier for them. Universal master keys, proven techniques - standard locking devices do not protect against car theft. Another thing is a mechanism made independently, the secrets of which are known only to the master. In terms of increased reliability and security level, a screw lock is of interest.

Its undeniable advantage is the non-standard design of the structural elements of the “secret”. Even if you open/close a sample in the presence of a stranger, the latter will only be able to understand the principle of operation, determine the type, but will not be able to select a master key or a method for opening such a garage lock.

Screw mechanism design

“People's craftsmen” have developed several versions of locking devices of this type. But their components, as well as the principle of operation, are identical: the difference is only in individual details.

Frame. It is selected either from the finished product, or is manufactured on machine tools. It is only necessary to make a deep groove in the metal and cut a thread in the channel along which the locking element will move.
Bow. It is present only in mounted models. An invisible lock is built into the door leaf or attached in an overhead manner to the back side of the leaf, so only the hole for the key is visible on the front side. On the lower part of the bow, a chamfer is made, into which the screw rests when screwing it in until it stops. The difficulty of manufacturing is to correctly determine its location.
Threaded rod. A screw lock differs from other types of locking mechanisms precisely in this detail. During the process of closing/opening, the rod moves along the channel and locks/unlocks the bow.
Key. It is not much different from the analogues that come with other types of store-bought or homemade locks, the difference is in the “working” part. Its configuration depends on the design features of the locking rod.

There are several schemes for assembling screw mechanisms. The configuration of the case (horizontal/vertical), its shape, and the size of the shackle are details that do not affect the functionality of the lock. The degree of its secrecy is determined by the peculiarity of the working part of the key.

A slot is made at the end of the rod, and the end of the key is a longitudinal protrusion that coincides with the groove, or vice versa. The easiest lock to make is a screw-type security lock.

The disadvantage is that such constipation can only cool the ardor of a lover of profiting from other people's goods. For a professional, it is not an obstacle - it can be opened with a regular screwdriver with a flat blade or a type of pliers (platypus), or tweezers.

This mechanism can be improved by changing the shape of the end part of the rod. It is made square or rectangular. The downside is that it is much more difficult to make a key for it.

The advantage is that it is extremely difficult to open such a lock with a secret. For example, a steel tube flattened on the sides can serve as a master key. But it's not that simple.

The tube still needs to be selected according to the diameter of the hole in the housing.
You will have to tinker a lot to give the working part of the master key the proper configuration. After all, even if you can still see the “head” of the rod, it is unlikely that you will be able to accurately determine the size of its edges visually.

When choosing a lock scheme for a garage that you can assemble yourself, it is advisable to focus on this engineering solution. The fundamental difference from the previous ones is the increased degree of secrecy. It is impossible to select a master key for such a mechanism. And although skeptics claim that it will be possible to open it with a strong wire, in practice this cannot be done. If the screw is tightened all the way, then unscrewing it, given the small radius, is impossible - checked.

Device installation

Now instructions on how to install the locking device yourself.

Installation of an overhead type mechanism

This is how a padlock is installed.

Before making a lock on the gate, you need to mark the location of its future position. Lean the structure against the door and mark the areas where the fasteners will be located, as well as the lock cylinder (central mechanism).
Now you need to make holes at the marked points. Select the diameter of the drill, taking into account the corresponding parameter of the mounting bolts or screws. Determine the diameter of the hole for the lock cylinder based on the size it has.
After you drill the holes, you can begin attaching the device itself, as well as the handles that come with it.
Before you make a lock for a gate of this type, take into account that it is not very convenient to use when the door to the site opens outwards and not inwards.

Installation of a mortise structure

Installation diagram of a mortise structure.

As an example, we will tell you how to install a mortise lock for a gate made of profiled sheets with a frame made of profiles.

In this case, you need to make a metal box in advance, and then weld it at the required level to the door frame.
If profile pipes with a large diameter are used as a frame for the gate, then everything is much simpler. The box is not needed and the lock is installed in the same way as on metal doors.
Next, when the lock is inserted into the gate, you need to make markings. It is done at the end of the box, where the locking mechanism will be installed. Don't forget to first measure the end part of the back side of the lock.
After this, cut out a niche for the locking device.
Then, before cutting the lock into the gate, mark the points for the fasteners necessary to secure the structure. Next, drill holes of the required diameter for them.
The next stage of installation is marking and cutting a hole for the device cylinder. Carry out this process very carefully and accurately, especially when it comes to measurements.
If you are installing a mortise lock with a handle for a gate, then it’s time to mark and cut a hole for the rod under the handle.
Now you can begin the installation itself. Insert the housing into the groove, place the cylinder in it, then secure it with screws.
Insert a rod having a square cross-section into the secured lock. Then put the handles on both sides and secure them with tightening bolts.

Modification of purchased locks

If you can’t make a garage lock with your own hands due to a lack of necessary materials or processing technologies, then you can try to modify ready-made locks.

There are different types of locks:

A padlock can easily be knocked down with a sledgehammer, no matter how cunning its cylinder turns out to be. The loops can be cut with a regular hacksaw without much noise. A padlock is not a big obstacle for modern children, who are very well equipped with excellent tools .

Overhead and mortise locks are much more difficult . In essence, this is simply knocking out the door (this is especially true for mortise locks). For such cases, hackers use two methods:

opening with a master key;
sawing the bolt (bolt).

If there is a gap in the door that allows access to the deadbolt, it can be sawed through with a jigsaw in a few minutes.

Some types of locks proposed by craftsmen, for example, a rack lock with a “secret” key . too naive to protect against burglars. The only secret here is the length of the rotating bar on the key. The burglar will make this strip out of cardboard and cut it with scissors until the lock begins to wrinkle it. Next time the burglar will come not for reconnaissance, but for action .

Security against opening a garage needs to be considered a little more broadly . than just choosing a lock. Depending on their location, garages are collective . located in the courtyard of a residential building or attached close to an individual house or cottage. In many cases, the garage may be part of the house .

The worst case is a collective garage .

But recently, many garage communities are installing surveillance cameras . And they do it quite cunningly, they hire watchmen and it becomes increasingly difficult for car thieves to work.

A garage in the courtyard of a house is more convenient for the owner, especially if it is visible from the apartment window, but a garage on a private plot with a house is absolutely good. In the latter case, the garage can be protected best.

To best secure your garage, you should use durable metal gates and doors . those that cannot be knocked out with a sledgehammer. A homemade garage lock should be completely hidden from the outside, and its bolt should be armored. Such a lock cannot be opened with any master keys, or even ordinary keys. This is an electric lock . controlled from a distance.

Another, also very practical option, is to install a hidden electric lock along with a regular one . mechanical. Moreover, you can even use a padlock. The mechanical lock serves as the first barrier that burglars will have to overcome. But after they do this, they will encounter a new, incomprehensible obstacle, get nervous and withdraw.

The most advanced for our time can be considered a hidden electric lock controlled via a radio interface . The key is a miniature radio transmitter (key fob) that transmits a code combination. The receiver checks that what is received matches the given key and opens the lock.

To prevent advanced hijackers from using the intercepted key, the transmitter and receiver change the code for the next time according to a certain algorithm, so that a “one-time password” . This is called an anti-scanning system or dynamic code encryption.

But this is not the cheapest option . The minimum price here is about 9,000 rubles . Self-manufacturing of such a system will be much cheaper in terms of money, but will require a fair amount of knowledge in radio engineering, electronics and programming, as well as the ability to solder very miniature parts.

Basic models of constipation

In the modern world, there is a huge variety of products and gate bolts are no exception. Their main differences lie not only in appearance, but also in the method of fastening, type of design and ease of use. Masters distinguish 3 main types of such mechanisms, each of which can be made with your own hands:

Lock mechanism

The larva is the main part of the castle. The safety of personal property depends on its reliability and secrecy.

Depending on the design, the larvae are:

cylinder;
levelers;
disk;
crossbars;
crusades.

Lock options
Cylinder devices are characterized by the location of the secret mechanism in a kind of cylinder. It consists of several pins that are responsible for opening and closing the lock. In order to unlock such a device, you need a key with special notches, which, when turning the key, will move the pins into a certain position.

Level types are considered more reliable. This is explained by the presence of special levers, which are raised to a certain level when the key moves in the keyhole.

The disk device is less reliable, but no less popular. To unlock such a mechanism, you need a key, in the form of a rod cut in half, with characteristic notches. When such a key is turned inside the keyhole, a kind of tunnel is formed and the disks rotate, resulting in the mechanism being unlocked.

Crossbar mechanisms are less reliable, so they are used very rarely. The principle of unlocking is the movement of two bolts, which are pulled away from each other by special keys.

The cross type larva is the most unreliable. You can break into this type of lock with a Phillips screwdriver at your disposal.

Gate valves made of corrugated sheets

If your fence is made of corrugated sheets, then the latch for the gate made of corrugated sheets is selected taking into account this material.

There are the following locks for corrugated sheets:

code;
cylindrical;
suvaldnye.

The coded one has a sufficient degree of reliability. It opens from the outside by entering a code, and has a special latch from the inside. The only negative is that the code buttons wear out over time. Anyone can see the secret code.

Regular type

Cylindrical works on a mechanism for matching internal small parts. Advantages: neat small size, if it breaks, it’s easy to fix. But sensitive to moisture and dust.

The lever lock is perfect for corrugated sheets. It has keys with teeth of different sizes that perfectly match the internal parts of the lock. If something doesn't match, it can't be opened.

Making walls

To make walls, a rectangle of the required size is assembled from boards, after which it is placed on a flat surface, which is previously covered with a piece of film or roofing felt. The solution is poured into the resulting frame. To make a window or door in the wall, you should pre-position the frames in the desired location.

After the solution has been poured to the required height, stones or crushed stone can be inserted into the lower part to create a kind of imitation of the foundation, or using a knife, draw grooves - characteristic gaps between the foundation stones.

When the solution has hardened, the frame is removed and, if required, details are added: windows, loopholes, etc. After this, the walls are left to dry for another day.

It is better to choose a sunny day to build a castle . It is best to place it on a hill, which can be a pile of stones. To ensure that the walls stand securely, a foundation is built for them, on which a thin layer of cement is then applied. And only after that is it worth installing the walls. They can also be strengthened in another way, for example, the internal cavity is filled with stone, rubble or mortar.

Since simple concrete castles look gray and dull, many people paint them. For this, acrylic paint is used. This decorative element will become a real decoration of the garden, and both children and adults will be happy with it.

Advantages

Some consider locks to be an outdated way of locking swing gates, gates, and doors.

Currently, stores have a large number of new locks, electric keys, CCTV and remote control systems. However, deadbolts have a number of advantages that determine their popularity today:

reliability;
ease of use;
high quality material;
low price;
clear mechanism;
opportunity to do it yourself.

Operating rules

Difficulties in operating gate latches are caused by exposure to natural phenomena. This is especially noticeable in the autumn-winter period. At high air humidity, the metal actively rusts, which can cause the mechanism to jam. In addition, rust forms streaks, worsening the appearance of the gate. To prevent corrosion in spring and autumn, the valves are removed, treated for rust and painted.

Some craftsmen burnish steel, making it resistant to moisture.

Night frosts after a thaw pose a danger. Accumulated moisture can freeze on the bolt, preventing its movement in the body. It is advisable to protect device parts from natural phenomena. For this purpose, various housings are made for hidden installation.

If there is evidence that severe frosts are possible at night, it is necessary to wipe the moving parts dry in the evening, removing moisture, then in the morning the bolt will be operational.

How to make a gate latch with your own hands

Making a gate latch with your own hands is quite simple if you have basic welding skills and the right tools. Since individual types of designs are manufactured differently, as an example we will focus on a simple version of the locking system - a latch with a spring.

Required material

To work you will need:

Necessary tool

Prepare the tools you will need to make the latch:

Stages of work

Image No. 5: DIY latch diagram

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.

The purchase of a finished device at the construction market or in a supermarket should be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the gate, its design, and the type of building material used for the fence.

In this case, the quality of the locking device and its resistance to natural influences are important. They also take into account the need to repair a complex electromechanical lock. Perhaps a good solution would be to purchase a simpler, reliably working mechanism.

Locking direction

If you manage to make a gate with your own hands, then installing a lock on it will also not be difficult. Devices can be divided into 2 main types based on this criterion.

Vertical latches

An effective gate latch that provides the most reliable locking of the system. Basically, this type of locking mechanism is installed on swing structures. To secure the door leaf in the closed state, a handle with a steel rod is used, which fits into a recess made in the ground.

These latches are also used in mortise sashes, but in a miniature size. To secure the top and bottom of the gate opening, steel mating fasteners with a hole for the bolt rod are installed.

Homemade wooden yard gates, as well as gates made of corrugated sheets, can be closed in a similar way.

But when installing a lock from below, fixation is carried out by a hole in the ground filled with cement screed. If desired, you can install a double-sided latch on the gate.

Horizontal overhead valves

These are the most common locking mechanisms used in all types of gates and wickets. The principle of operation is approximately the same as that of the vertical closing method. The latch itself is made from a metal rod or plate, a locking eye and a holder. Popular factory models include the gate lock NOEZ ZK-230-S (black, matte).

The photo shows a door in the country house.

Spring deadbolt

The spring is needed to securely fix the valve in the closed position. If a massive gate or gate is exposed to strong winds, vibrations can gradually move the bolt to the open position.

It is not difficult to make a device yourself, using the factory design as a basis.

For work you will need a grinder, welding and a drill.

A spring holds the valve in the closed position. If it is necessary to open the door, pull the handle and overcome the resistance of the spring to move the bolt. To secure it in the open position, there are two petals at the end opposite the strike plate, through which the handle is pulled.

Options for locking, when springs act on a ball or cylinder for gates, are of little use - due to wind loads, the canvas will constantly move. Ball valves are used exclusively for interior doors.

How to make a lock with an automatic latch for a gate with your own hands