There are times when you need a lock, but don’t have one.
It could be that you’re staying at a sketchy motel, and the door isn’t locking properly. You might be worried about a break-in because your front door lock is broken. There may not be a lock on your room, so you would like some privacy. Since you can’t just lock a door without a lock, you might think you’re out of options.
Okay, so if you clicked on this article, then you know that your options aren’t limited. However, you might be unsure of how simple or reliable making a lock for your door is.
When it comes to making a lock for your door, there are a couple of methods you can learn. You can secure a door with all kinds of objects so that it cannot be opened until you want it to.
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The materials required vary in difficulty of acquisition, and the effectiveness of each varies as well. Decide which one works best after trying them out.
The following methods will help you make a lock for your door
1. Fork method
You’ll need a few tools to make a lock for your door using nothing but a fork.
- Forks with straight handles that you’re okay with breaking
- The set of pliers
- Saw (Optional)
- Rubber band (Optional)
- Duct tape or fabric (Optional)
To bend the fork’s teeth, first use a set of pliers. By moving up about a quarter of an inch, you can bend one or all of the teeth at a 90-degree angle. By bending all the teeth of the lock, the lock will hold better, but it will also mark up your door frame more.
Remove the handle next. You can use your pliers to do this, but a saw is optional. It depends on how sturdy the handle is on the fork. Place the bent teeth where the bolt usually goes on the strike plate.
You should have the other end sticking out towards you while the teeth catch on the strike plate. You can wrap the fork up with duct tape or fabric if you’re worried about marking up your door. You’ll need one of the gaps between the fork teeth for the next step, so don’t block it.
Over the fork, close the door. Through the teeth, insert the handle. Rubber bands are optional, although they can be used to prevent the handle from slipping out. Duct tape is also an option if you happen to have it.
You should now be able to lock your door. With a fork, you can make a lock for your door.
2. The Barricade Method
Know that you have a couple of options if you want to make a lock for your door with different barricades.
- Invest in a commercial door barricade, or
- Make use of the chair’s end, or
- Outside the door, pile things up
The first option is significantly less DIY, and it involves purchasing a lock designed for doors without locks instead of making your own.Â
There are a few options available. Burglar Bars block doors, and Addalocks work similarly to forks. As a barricade, the Nightlock is installed into the floor.
A chair can also be used the way you’ve probably seen in movies. If your door opens inward, it will work. The chair won’t do much if it doesn’t, and with enough force, a chair can be dislodged, but it may be worth trying.
It’s also possible to pile other things on top of your door if it opens inward. This will be difficult and time-consuming since you’ll need heavy objects, so this isn’t the best option for you.
3. The Wedge Method
In order to make a wedge-shaped lock for your door, you don’t necessarily need to buy a door stopper. Several options are available.
- Door stoppers for commercial use, or
- Cardboard, or
- A moldable clay, or
- Any other material that can be fashioned into a wedge
Just having something for the door to gradually latch onto is important.
By using wedges, the door can slide across the surface before it gets too close to the ground. A door that’s too far from the ground can’t be moved once it’s too far from the ground. Due to the fact that a wedge cannot be knocked over, it is better than a barricade.
Getting past wedge shapes requires more or less breaking the door since it is in an unnatural position. With any malleable material, you can make a door lock by forming it into these wedge shapes.
4. The Tying Method
Both of those methods work for doors that open inwards, but this method works for doors that open either way. The door needs to be under a specific set of conditions if you want to tie a lock for it.
- Your tying lock must be attached to something
- Sturdy and immovable is what this thing needs
You can use a slightly different method if your door has a handle.
- In order to move either handle, both must turn
- Something sturdy must be attached to the door, such as a coat hanger
The first method consists of tying your rope-like object around the handle and then tying the other end around a sturdy object. Don’t forget to make a good knot.
You can unscrew the strike plate and tie it around one of the screws before screwing it back in if you don’t have a sturdy object.
The second method involves tying one end around the coat hanger (or whatever else you want) and the other end to the handle tip. The tie prevents the handle from turning fully when someone tries to open the door this way.
You can see that there are various ways to use tying to create a lock for your door. Pick the option that serves you best.
5. Sock Method
Prepare to do some folding if you want to know how to make a lock for your door using nothing but a sock. This doesn’t require much.
In addition, thicker or longer socks work better for this.
It’s just a matter of folding the sock and sticking it on the door. The sock should create enough friction to jam the door when the door is closed around it. Using a sock, you can now make a lock for your door.
Pull the sock while opening the door to unlock it. As a result, the door should be able to open once it has been unjammed from the doorframe.
Conclusion
You can make a variety of makeshift locks, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. There are some that are much harder to make than others, but most can be done in a pinch if you want to know how to make a lock for your door.
