How To Fit A Rack Bolt

Step 1: You will need…

Step 2: Wedge the door open

Open the door and wedge it firmly in place, so that it won't move while you are working on it.

Step 3: Mark the position

Decide whether you want to fit your rack bolt to the top or side of the door. Methods of fitting are the same.

Use your tape measure to find the centre point on the edge of the door, and mark it with a pencil. Then choose a height for the bolt and draw another line which crosses the centre point.

Step 4: Choose a drill bit

Select a flat woodcutting bit that is very slightly wider than the bolt barrel.

Hold the bolt against the drill bit. Mark its depth on the bit with a pencil and then masking tape. This will ensure that you drill to the correct level. Now attach the bit to the drill.

Step 5: Drill the bolt hole

Before you begin, remember drill safety.

Put on your goggles. Make sure all loose items of clothing and hair are tucked away. Clear the area of any potential hazards and find a steady standing position.

Hold the bit over your pencil maker and drill firmly into the door. Stop when you have gone as far as the masking tape. Run the drill back and forth a couple of times to make sure that the hole is even.

Step 6: Mark the face plate

Push the bolt into your newly drilled hole. Hold it steady, and use your pencil to draw all the way around the face plate.

You will need this outline in order to chisel out a shallow recess for the bolt.

Step 7: Create a shallow recess

Before you begin, remember chisel safety. Make sure that you are wearing safety goggles and clear the area of potential hazards. Find a steady position and remember to watch your fingers when you do start chiselling.

Make a series of cuts along your pencil outline. Then chip out the recess. The face plate should lie flush with the door.

Step 8: Make the key hole

Hold the bolt against the side of the door, level with the bolt hole. Mark through the hole in the barrel, this is where the key hole will be. Select a drill bit that is slightly wider than the key. Attach it to the drill.

Remember drill safety.

Drill on your pencil mark. Stop when you reach the bolt hole. Be careful not to drill through to the other side of the door.

Step 9: Check the holes line up

Place the bolt in its recess. Put the key in the new hole and turn it. You should be able to extend and retract the bolt.

Step 10: Fix the bolt

Attach a screw head drill bit and drill the bolt into the door. Now double check that the key still works with the bolt.

Step 11: Fit the keyhole plate

Drill in both screws and once again check that the key still works.

Step 12: Mark the bolt on the door frame

There's a small pimple at the end of the bolt. Close the door and turn the key firmly to wind open the bolt. Turn it back and open the door. You will be able to see the indentation from the pimple on the door frame. This mark shows you where to drill the bolt hole recess on the door frame.

Step 13: Drill the bolt recess

Reattach the first woodcutting bit that you used earlier.

Remember drill safety.

Now hold the bit over the indentation and drill a hole that is deep enough for the bolt.

Run the drill back and forth to ensure a smooth hole.

Step 14: The strike plate

Hold the strike plate over the hole and draw around it with your pencil.

Remember your chisel safety.

As before, make a series of cuts along your pencil outline. Then chisel out a shallow recess for the strike plate. The strike plate should lie flush with the door frame. Attach a screw head bit to the drill and drill the strike plate into position.

Step 15: Test

Check that the bolt works s