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How to fit a ring gate latch

Person screwing a catch plate to a gate post using a cordless driver

Overview

It is easy to fit a ring latch when you know how. We'll show you how to put both sides of the handle on properly and create a hole for the connecting spindle. You will also learn how to install the latch keeper and the catch.

Steps

1Drill a hole for the ring latch spindle

The piece of metal that connects the two sides of the handle is called the spindle. To drill a hole through the gate for the spindle, lift the gate off its hinges and use a spade bit. In this case, we are installing the handle on to a picket gate with a steel frame. So our hole is drilled through the middle of a picket at the same height as the handle mount on the back of the frame.
Person drilling a hole in a picket gate for a latch

2Install the front half of the ring latch handle

Put the spindle into the front half of your ring latch handle. Then poke the spindle through the spindle hole and place the handle plate flat on to the front face of your gate. Now drill pilot holes for your screws and screw the handle plate onto the gate.
Person drilling hole to fit a ring latch on a gate

3Trim the ring latch spindle to length

Sometimes the spindle for a ring latch is too long for the gate and it needs to be trimmed. To work out how much spindle to remove, measure the gap between the back handle plate and the gate frame. Now remove your spindle and use a hacksaw to cut that amount off the end.
Person measuring the spindle of a latch for a gate

4Install the back half of the ring latch handle

Once the back plate of the handle sits flat on the frame of your gate, screw it into place. In this example we are screwing the plate onto a steel frame, so instead of drilling pilot holes, we have used self-tapping screws. Before you start driving your screws in, move the handle around until you are sure the spindle is sitting in the middle of the spindle hole.
Person screwing a handle to a gate using a cordless driver

5Install the latch keeper for the ring latch

Slip the latch keeper over the tongue of the latch and place it flat on the gate frame. Then position it so the latch is roughly horizontal and screw it into place. Once again, we are working with self-tapping screws so we just drive them straight into the frame.
Person screwing a latch keeper to a gate using a cordless driver

6Install the ring latch catch plate on the gate frame.

Hang your gate back on its hinges and hold it in the closed position. Then place the catch plate on the gatepost. Position it so the tongue of the latch is all the way down and sitting in the catch. Now screw it into position and you're done.
Person screwing a catch plate to a gate post using a cordless driver
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. 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. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.