How to fit a long throw gate lock
Long throw gate locks are becoming more popular, they are in truth fairly easy to fit your most difficult task is marking he hole for the cylinder of the lock – get this right and it’s a doddle! Here we show you how to fit a long throw gate lock. Note: This guide refers to the Perrys version of the long throw gate locks, not the Cays version – although similar they do differ slightly so beware. However we have included the measurements required for fitting the Gatemate versions of the long throw locks as well.Double locking? Single locking?! 50mm or 70mm?!
There are two main types of the Perrys long throw locks, the ‘key lockable from both sides version’ (aka Double locking version) which as its name implies can be opened from either side with a key and the more economical ‘Key lockable with spring latch to the rear’ (aka Perrys single locking long throw locks or lock latch version) which opens by way of a latch on the rear and a key on the front.Rear of the double locking (key lockable from both sides) version of the long throw gate lock
Rear of the lock/latch version of the long throw gate lock
The various parts of a long throw gate lock
The parts are basically the same between the two versions of the locks and are not much different between a Perrys and Gatemate lock
A – Main body of lock (Differs between the two versions) B – Receiver/Keep C –
Escutcheon (this can be replaced with optional handles) D – Screws (for fixing
both main body of lock and receiver to the gate E – Keys F – Instructions (A
bit vague really, hence the guide – do we look after you or what?!)
Tools required to fit the long throw gate lock
You will need the following tools to fit the Gatemate lock to the gates
Cordless drill/driver, 3mm drill bit, 2mm drill bit, *28mm Spade bit / Flat
bit, Phillips driver bit, Small slotted screwdriver, Square, Tape measure,
Rule, Pencil,
Where to position the long throw gate lock?
A word of warning before you start, there are videos around on the internet
showing the locks fitted to gates with morticed and tenon jointed frames in
the position where a horizontal rail meets a vertical member (the stile – the
outer framework of the gates), if you’ve seen any of these videos then
disregard them as they are wrong.
If you fit the lock over a mortice a tenon joint then you will weaken the joint
If you do fit the lock over the mortice and tenon joint then you are
undermining the joint, worse case scenario is the joint will fail as you’ve
drilled a 26mm or 28mm diameter hole right the way through the joint – as an
example of what I mean go and have a look at your front door (if you’ve a
wooden one) and look for the position of either a mortice lock or Yale type
cylinder lock, they are always fitted away from the mortice and tenon joint.
The tenon is reduced in size due to the hole being drilled through it – this weakens the joint.
Fitting the Perrys long throw gate lock
To fit the long throw lock, we work from the rear of the gate
as that is where the lock fits and the main thing to remember is to keep the
cam holes (on the underside of the locking bar) facing downwards to avoid
water getting into the lock.
Make sure these cam holes in the underside of the locking bar face down towards the ground!
To start with we need to decide on the position of the lock, so mark on the gate the centre line where you want the lock to sit and then
square this line horizontally across the gate stile (vertical upright).
The next task is to mark the position of the hole that takes
the cylinder of the lock – this is the same whether you are using a 50mm or
70mm Perrys double locking long throw lock or the Perrys single locking version.
We now need to mark a second line 16mm below and parallel to
the first centre line.
Finally we then mark a vertical line 58mm in from the edge of
the gate (this gives you a 5mm space between the edge of the gate and body of
the lock once fitted. if you want to increase this distance then just increase
the 58mm measurement by what you require). You can then skip the next section
that is specifically for the Gatemate versions of the long throw gate locks.
Marking the hole position for a Gatemate long throw lock
Unlike the Perrys version of the long throw gate locks, the position of the barrel does vary on the Gatemate versions and does depend on whether you are using a double locking or single locking lock. To start with, as for the Perrys lock we mark a horizontal centre line where you want the lock to sit, this is the same for the double locking and single locking versions but after this it varies between the two locks –Double locking versions
To mark the position of the hole for a Gatemate double locking long throw gate lock we now need to mark a second line underneath the centre line (we’ve just marked) 15mm below the first line – once you’ve done this square the line across. Next, on this second line we now mark a line 58mm in from the edge of the gate. Where these two lines intersect is the centre line of the lock barrel and where you need to drill.Single locking/spring latch version
To mark the position of the hole for a single locking Gatemate lock/latch long throw gate lock (key locking from the rear only) we now need to mark a second line underneath the centre line (we’ve just marked) 15mm below the first line – once you’ve done this square the line across. Next, on this second line we now mark a line 50mm in from the edge of the gate. Where these two lines intersect is the centre line of the lock barrel.For all versions of the long throw gate locks
This applies to all versions of the long throw gate locks –
Once you’ve marked the position of the centre line of the
lock barrel, using your 26mm or 28mm spade bit/flat bit drill through the gate
until the spur (point) of the drill bit just starts to protrude through the
front of the gate.
Once the spur appears, go to the front of the gate, line your
drill bit up with the small hole the spur has created and complete the hole
(don’t drill right the way through the gate, from one side only – you’ll split
timber as the drill bit bursts out).
With the hole drilled out for the barrel of the lock, from
the rear of the gate place the lock into position. When it’s sitting on the
gate (with the barrel through the hole), line the lock up parallel with the
rail of the gate (use a square if you like to do this).
Grab your cordless drill with a 3mm drill bit and pre-drill
the four holes on the rear of the lock into the gate. You can either mark the
holes with a pencil (then remove the lock) or drill the holes with the lock
present if you’re careful. Once you’ve drilled the holes insert the screws to
secure the lock to the rear of the gate.
Fitting the long throw lock receiver
We next have to attach the receiver for the lock –
If fitting the lock to a single pedestrian gate, then the receiver fits to the
gate post. If fitting the lock onto a pair of gates, then the receiver
fits onto the secondary gate (i.e. gate that opens second in the pair).
To fit the receiver, make sure the lock is in the
closed/locked position and sit the receiver over the locking bar and centre it
(there is a fair bit of extra room in the receiver) and also parallel it with
the gate or post.
Fitting the long throw lock escutcheon
Long throw lock handles – optional extras
As an optional extra you’ve a choice of adding a handle in place of an
escutcheon (these do not come with the locks as standard but are available as
an optional extra). These fit to the front of the gate, over the lock barrel
and once the lock has been fitted the handle is fitted (the escutcheon is not
needed) by way of three screws. To fit the handle, simply place the handle
over the lock barrel and align so it is sitting parallel to the stile of the
gate and pre-drill all holes using a 3mm drill bit. Then secure to the gate
using the screws.
18 thoughts on “How to fit a long throw gate lock”
I am looking to install the long throw lock on the other side to what you are showing is this possible or are there two types. One for hanging on the right side and one for hanging on the left side?
I am about to purchase and install three of these locks. Is there any quality difference between a Perrys and a Gatemate model?
Other than the names on them, they are the same. We have sold both in the past but now we just sell the Perrys version.
I presume the 50mm size refers to the thickness of the gate? What is the thinnest gate/door that it can be used with?
The 50mm thickness refers to the length of barrel of the lock and the thickness of the gate. Barrel is 50mm long, so on a 50mm thick gate sits flush with the front of the gate. So for example if you use the lock on a gate 30mm thick then the barrel will protrude out through the front of the gate by 20mm.
My gate is 52 mm wide will the 50mm lock still fit
Length of the locks is the barrel size (the barrel goes right the way through the gate). If fitting to a 52mm thick gate you’ll find the end of the barrel is 2mm in from the face of the gate (unless you were to sink the lock into the rear face of the gate). Liewise if you fitted a 70mm lock you’ll find the barrel would protrude from the front of the gate by 18mm, I’d tend to go for the latter option as fitting a 50mm lock (unless you sink it in on the back of the gate) will allow water to build up on the 2mm lip.
I have just fitted a gatemate throw lock and require one more for another door. I seem to have a problem with the one I have just fitted, the receiver is approximately 7mm deeper than the thickness of the locking bar, causing the gate to rattle in the wind. Have I done something wrong when fitting , or can l correct this in some way.?
The only real thing you can do is to sink the receiver into the post or gate by 7mm or so to tighten everything up.
I plan a 70mm long throw lock to hut double doors. Wood thickness 65mm (point of lock fitting)
As such the lock barrel would protrude 5mm. With typical escutcheon thickness the protrusion would reduce. What is typical escutcheon thickness?
Also – I have to decide on which of the double doors to fit lock …..and not really understanding the barrel lock, can the long throw be be to left or right?
Hi John,
Locks are not handed so will fit on whicheever door you choose to fit it to.
Options for the 5mm protrusion are either the escutcheon which sits around the lock and sits out approx 2-3mm or the long throw lock handle which again sits around the barrel of lock and which is approx 5mm thick around lock.
Good morning, is it possible to change the barrel in these just to check please?
No the barrel is fixed into the long throw locks and cannot be removed.
Hi Jon, I’ve just bought the 70mm version from my local locksmith. I was expecting a Perrys of Gatemate (their website shows Perrys) but didn’t realise ’til I got home that it’s Cays / Eliza Tinsley (with no paper instructions). I suppose it’s what they had in stock and it’s cosmetically a bit different. Is there a difference in quality, should I take it back and ask specifically for a Perrys or Gatemate? It might look like a superficial question but I just want to make sure I’ve got the right product before I start drilling holes! Thanks
The Cays is the original long throw lock, not much difference between that and the Gatemate & Perrys versions but I’d say the both the newer versions (Gatemate & Perrys) are improved slightly and are slightly more expensive to buy.
Thanks Jon, I might go back to the locksmith and ask if they do actually have Gatemate or Perrys. Maybe they ran out of Gatemate / Perrys… thanks for your very helpful reply.
Has anybody had issues with fitting on double gates, and there being too much movement between the bolt and receiver? I have a Gatemate Longthrow and it seems to have so much play in it that gates can simply be pushed open.
Any thoughts on what I can do to resolve this? The receiver is just too slack for the bolt!!
Cheers. Lee
Hi Lee,
On a pair of gates you should have a dropbolt on the bottom of the gate into the ground, this would be on the gate with the lock receiver on, if you do have the dropbot fitted then you shouldn’t be able to just push the gates open without unlocking the lock – unless the lock or gates have been fitted incorrectly.