How to Make a Homemade Lock for Your Bedroom Door?

Privacy in our chamber, away from unwanted guests, is what we all need. It is also a temporary solution in case you broke the lock of your bedroom door. If you are staying in a lockless motel, a homemade lock for door is extra helpful.

So, here’s a quick guide on how to make a homemade lock for your bedroom door. This tutorial will help you enjoy a goodnight’s sleep.

Prepare Necessary Items for This Tutorial

If you want to lock bedroom door without lock, there are specific items to help you out. You can borrow from your friends or neighbors. Or just purchase at the nearest hardware store in your area or simply order them online.

1. Fork and marker

A metallic fork is necessary since it must be sturdy enough to prevent forced entry. The length of the prongs must be two inches or more so that they can grip against the door frame. Aside from that, the fork’s handle must be long enough to block the part of the door and the door frame.

You will also need a marker to determine the exact area where you can bend the prongs. It is recommended to use a permanent marker for visible marks.

2. Vise and hammer

A vise and a hammer make bending the fork easier and more accurate. For the vise, you can use whatever is available in your garage. However, it is advisable to use a ball-peen or a sledgehammer when pounding the fork since it can provide you with the force you need.

Without a vise, use a pair of pliers in bending the prongs of the fork. The only downside of using pliers is that it could take you more time and energy. In case you bend the prongs too much, the solution is to straighten them using the hammer.

3. Pliers or Metal cutting saw (optional)

If you want to finish cutting the fork easily, you can use a metal cutting saw. Since this is not a heavy-duty job, you can use a cordless one. It is battery-operated, and it can also provide you with more movement. Most DIYers prefer abrasive disc blades since they are lightweight and affordable.

Or you can use a pair of pliers as an alternative. Just bend the fork back and forth until you cut the handle successfully. However, this could take you more time. Whether using a metal cutting saw or a pair of pliers, you should wear gloves to protect your hands from any injury.

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Insert a fork in the latch hole and mark how deep it can go

The first thing you need to do is to insert the metallic fork in the latch hole. The fork must have 2 inches or longer prongs to serve as a temporary lock for bedroom door. Once you have inserted the fork, mark the area where the fork ends inside the latch hole.

Step 2: Bend the marked area using a vise

After you have marked prongs, insert the marked area in a vise and bend it at a 90-degree angle by swinging the hammer into it. If you don’t have a vise, you can also use a pair of pliers to bend the prongs. If they are too bent, straighten them by using a hammer.

Step 3: Cut the handle of the fork

Proceed on the cutting off of the fork. The fork’s handle will serve as a locking mechanism to ensure that it is long enough to keep the door secure. You can use a metal cutting saw to cut the handle. If you don’t have a metallic saw, you can use pliers. Just bend it to and fro until you have successfully cut off the handle of the fork.

Step 4: Place the bent part of the fork on the latch hole and put the handle between the prongs

After creating your DIY door lock:

The handle will prevent any intrusion since it blocks the part of the door and the door frame. To unlock, remove the fork from your door.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use the homemade lock as a permanent lock for my bedroom door?

Making a homemade lock is only a temporary solution if you broke your bedroom door lock or it malfunctions. You can also use it when you are staying in a motel or a lockless room. It is still advisable to install a more reliable and secure lock for your bedroom, such as a deadbolt lock. For long-term use, we still encourage you to own a quality bedroom door lock for the best security for your room.

2. What are the other household items that I can use to lock my bedroom door aside from the fork?

Some household items that you can use to lock your bedroom door are chairs, socks, and rope. You can use them in tying the doorknob or barricading the door. You can check some tutorials to teach you how you can use these items as homemade locks.

3. What are the other ways to secure my door?

Aside from using a fork, some of the ways to lock a door without a lock are barricading your door, tying down the doorknob, and using security bars. However, the best option is to install a deadbolt lock.

Recommended post: Lock a bedroom door from the outside without a key

4. What are household items that I can use to pick a lock?

The household items you can use to pick a lock are paper clips, pliers, hairpins, screwdrivers, credit cards, and tension wrenches. By using these items, you can break in inside your house. Also, you can find the professional pick lock sets here.

5. Can I use this homemade lock for my main door?

You are discouraged from using this homemade lock for your main door, especially in the middle of the night. With a strong force, a burglar can break into your house. You can call a locksmith to fix your door lock immediately to ensure the security of your family.

Conclusion

Have you mastered our tutorial on how to make a homemade lock for your bedroom door? Knowing how to create a homemade lock for a bedroom door is handy, especially if you are on a trip and you crash into a room with no lock on it. It could also temporarily solve your problem if you broke your lock.

If you think that this article is helpful, feel free to share it with your friends. We also love to know your stories and experiences while you are following the tutorial. Just leave a comment below.

Justin Williams

I am the last member to join Revolar and might be just the luckiest to work with dedicated people like Teddy and John. Our team has established a process where my only job is writing the best content to deliver incredible ideas and guides.