As an engineer or engineering student, you already know how important it is to have fastening solutions that are reliable and safe.
Whether you are working on a big industrial project or a small home improvement, the quality of your fasteners can make all the difference.
So, today we're going to talk about a type of door bolt that has been getting more and more popular over the past few years: the barrel bolt.
You may have heard this word before, but do you know what it means and how it works? In this article, we'll look more closely at barrel bolts, their different uses, and the things you should think about when choosing the right one for your project.
So let's dive in and find out what barrel bolts are all about.
Understanding Barrel Bolts
Formal definition:
A door bolt that moves in a cylindrical casing and is not driven by a key.
A barrel bolt is a simple way to lock a door, gate, cabinet, or window from one side.
It is also called a sliding bolt lock or a shoot bolt.
It has two main parts: a metal bar that slides and a plate that holds it in place.
The catch plate is attached to the door frame in a way that makes it easy for the sliding metal bar or bolt to fit into the catch's opening.
This keeps the door from opening until the bolt is moved back.
The bolt on most barrel bolt locks is round, but some have a flat sliding bar instead.
In all cases, the bolt will have a knob on it or be made with a knob, which makes it easy to grab and slide into the hasp.
Types of Barrel Bolts
There are different kinds of barrel bolts, such as the slide bolt, the flush bolt, the surface bolt, and the tower bolt.
It's important to choose the right kind of bolt for the job.
Other types of bolts like hex-head, toggle, machine, strut, elevator eye, flange foundation, frame hanger, heavy hex, hex cap screw, hex carriage, joint, metric, step, and captive bolts are not usually considered barrel bolts.
Even though boat latches and hinges are not barrel bolts, they can be used together with barrel bolts to make marine applications more secure.
Choosing the Right Barrel Bolt
There are a few important things to think about when choosing a barrel bolt:
- The bolt should be the right size and length for the door or gate it will be used to lock.
- Throw length: The distance the bolt can extend from the door or gate to reach the catch plate.
- Material: The bolt should be strong and durable enough to handle the loads that will be put on it.
- Type of catch plate: The security and strength of the bolt can be affected by the type of catch plate and how it is mounted.
- Finish or coating: The bolt's corrosion resistance and appearance can be changed by its finish or coating.
- Accessibility: How easy it is to get to the bolt, especially in an emergency when you need quick access.
- Cost: The cost of the bolt should also be taken into account.
It should fit within the budget and offer the security and functionality needed for the application.
It's important to remember that barrel bolts can add some security, but they may not be enough to keep a door or window safe on their own.
In addition to barrel bolts, you should use other security measures, like deadbolts or electronic locks, to make sure the door is safe.
Types of Barrel Bolts Available in the Market
There are many different kinds of barrel bolts on the market, such as:
- Slide bolt: A slide bolt is a type of barrel bolt that can be installed either vertically or horizontally.
- Flush bolt: A flush bolt is a type of barrel bolt that is recessed into the door or gate to make a smooth surface.
- A surface bolt is a type of barrel bolt that is mounted on the door or gate's surface.
- Tower bolt: A tower bolt is a type of barrel bolt with a long, vertical sliding bar that goes from the top to the bottom of the door or gate.
On the market, you can also find anchor, bent, blind, captive, carriage, eye, joint, metric, and step barrel bolts.
Revolutionize Your Door Security with the Barrel Bolt
Still hard to understand? Let me change the point of view a bit:
Are you tired of feeling like your doors are secure and inaccessible to intruders? Do you miss the thrill of wondering whether your house will still be standing when you get home?
Well, have we got the solution for you - forget about locks and keys, and opt for the good old-fashioned barrel bolt!
Because who needs security when you can have the excitement of wondering whether someone will break in and steal all your stuff?
Don't let those pesky doors keep you down - embrace the chaos and install a barrel bolt today!
Okay, that was just a joke made to look like a TV ad.
Now let's go back to the explanation.
Uses of Barrel Bolts
Barrel bolts are very useful and can be used in many different ways, such as:
- Doors, gates, and sheds: Barrel bolts give doors, gates, and sheds more security and make them harder to break into.
- Cupboards and furniture: Barrel bolts can be used to secure cupboards and furniture, making them great for use in homes, offices, and businesses.
Garden sheds and spray booths: Barrel bolts can be used outside in places where security and durability are important, like garden sheds and spray booths.
- Bathroom and stable-type doors: Heavy-duty two-part chrome-plated barrel bolts are great for use in the home on bathroom doors or kitchen stable-type doors where looks are important.
Internal Door Bolts
Internal door bolts are often used in commercial buildings to keep people from getting into certain rooms.
They can also be used in homes, for example to lock the bathroom door.
Internal door bolts come in a wide range of sizes and finishes, so they can be used for a lot of different things.
Front Door Deadlock Bolts
Front door deadlock bolts add an extra layer of security to a home and come in many different sizes and styles.
They are usually used to lock front doors and make them harder to break into.
Self-Adjusting Barrel Bolts
The self-adjusting barrel bolt can be used indoors and outdoors on doors, gates, and windows, among other things.
It gets rid of the common problem of barrel bolts that aren't lined up right because the door moved.
This makes it perfect for high-traffic areas.
Bolt Latches
Bolt latches can be made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, cast iron, or thermoplastic.
They can be used on trucks, trailers, RVs, buses, crates, and boats.
They make it easy to lock doors and windows safely, so they can be used in many different places.
Other Types of Door Bolts
There are many different kinds of door bolts besides barrel bolts, such as:
- Standard door bolts are bolts that are held in place by brackets and slide across doors to strengthen locks and add extra security.
Flush bolts with a lever action are slim and easy to install on double doors or French doors.
- Rack bolts are security bolts that fit into the door's mortise and are usually installed in pairs, one at the top and one at the bottom.
Deadbolts are the standard way to lock a door.
They have a round knob for the keyhole and a plate for the bolt.
Chain locks are kind of like barrel bolts in that they can only be locked from the inside.
Installing Barrel Bolts
Step-by-Step Guide
A barrel bolt is easy to put on a door.
All you need are a few simple tools and accurate measurements.
Here are the steps you need to take to put a barrel bolt on your door:
- Get the Tools You Need.
You'll need the following tools to put a barrel bolt on a door:
- A drill.
- A tool for turning screws.
- Screws.
- The bolt on the barrel itself.
- Mark where the bolt and catch plate will go.
Mark where the bolt and catch plate will go on the door and the frame before drilling pilot holes.
Make sure the bolt is straight and even with the edge of the door by using a level.
- Drill Pilot Holes.
Make sure the holes you drill are the same size as the screws you want to use to make sure they fit well.
- Put the Catch Plate in place.
Once the pilot holes are made, use screws that are the same size and material as the barrel bolts to attach the catch plate to the door frame.
- Put the barrel bolt on it.
Drilling pilot holes and screwing the barrel bolt into place are two ways to connect it to the door.
The bolt should be put where it is easy to reach, usually about one or two feet above the doorknob.
The more protection it gives, the closer it is to the middle of the door.
- Try the Lock.
Last, check the lock to make sure it works right.
If the door is hollow or thin, you might need to add a metal plate to make it stronger so the barrel bolt won't be easy to break.
Choosing the Right Screws
It's important to use screws that are the right size and shape for your door and barrel bolt.
Make sure the screws are long enough to go through the door and frame and hold firmly.
Adjusting the Length of the Bolt
If you are putting a necked barrel bolt on a door with a flat trim that isn't flush with the door, you may need to file down the edges of the bolt to make it the right length.
To put a barrel bolt on a door, you need to get the right tools, mark where the bolt and catch plate will go, drill pilot holes, attach the catch plate and the bolt, and test the lock.
You should also use the right screws and, if necessary, change the length of the bolt.
By doing these things, you can make your door safer and have more peace of mind.
Factors Affecting Barrel Bolt Tightness in Doors
Barrel bolts are often used on doors, gates, sheds, cupboards, furniture, garden sheds, and spray booths to make them safer.
It's important to tighten the barrel bolt enough to keep it from coming loose because of vibration, which could make the space less safe and secure.
If the bolt isn't tightened enough, it might not hold the door in place well enough.
This could cause the door and the bolt to wear out faster.
The bolt could even come completely out of the catch plate, making it useless.
To stop these problems from happening, you must tighten the bolt to the torque specifications recommended by the manufacturer.
Barrel Bolt
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the simple barrel bolt may look like an unimportant piece of hardware, but it is an important part of keeping your doors and windows safe and secure.
Barrel bolts can be used to secure doors and windows in many different places, from homes to factories.
But, as with any kind of hardware, it's important to think about things like the type of door, the level of security needed, and where the barrel bolt will be used.
By doing this, you can make sure you get the right barrel bolt for your needs.
But maybe the most important thing to take away from this is how important it is to pay attention to even the smallest details in your engineering projects.
The success of a project often depends on how well the hardware, like barrel bolts, is chosen and used.
As engineers and engineering students, it is our job to work hard and think about every factor and detail to make sure that our projects are safe, work well, and last a long time.
So, the next time you pick up a barrel bolt or any other piece of hardware, think about how important your work is and how it can change the world.
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