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How to install a pad bolt

The back of a picket gate showing the pad bolt secured

Overview

A pad bolt gives you the option of putting a padlock on your gate if you want to make it more secure. This is a quick job with only two steps. We'll teach you how to install the bolt on the gate and the keeper on the gatepost.

Steps

1Install the pad bolt onto the frame of the gate

Position the pad bolt on the edge of your gate frame. Once you are happy with where the pad bolt is sitting, screw it into place. In this case our gate has a metal frame, so we attach it by driving two self-tapping metal screws into the frame. To give the bolt a nice-looking finish, we have also glued a small piece of timber into place to hold two more screws in place.
A person attaching a pad bolt to a metal gate frame using a cordless driver

2Install the pad bolt keeper onto the gatepost

With the gate fully closed, slide the bolt across to the gatepost. Then put the pad bolt keeper over the top of the bolt and drive the bottom screw into place. Once the bottom screw is in, make sure the keeper is straight before driving the top screw into place.
The back of a picket gate showing the pad bolt secured
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.