How to attach new latch and lock to shed?

[Carolynk]

Hi, 

I have a rusted old lock/latch that fell off my shed. Now I am stuck with a new one I can seem to drill on. Not sure what to do. Tried drill and wont seem to go through, do I need a more expensive drill?? A new latch/lock, a whole new shed?? Surely this is common? What are my options please

   

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Carolynk 

We all have days like that, A couple of things to check before going out to replace anything tho

- Is the drill in the forward mode? (yep, Ive sat there drilling away getting nowhere fast and brain not thinking... lol)

- Drill bit you are using, is it blunt. you should be able to look at it and pick up if its blunt, gently running your thumb over the drill spiral near the top and you should feel the sharpness. If not so sharp then a new drill bit may be needed.

- What size drill bit are you using?

- Battery drill or powere drills, if its a battery drill is it fully charged, powered or battery is the torque (strength dial) turned to drilling?

Just remember to drill two sizes smaller then the screw you will use or if its a bolt then the same size.

Dave

[Carolynk]

Hi Dave thanks for your reply, 

I am at work. My friend is at my house using the drills - i have a couple. I think he tried an old GMC drill which i will be telling him to throw out. I do have a Ryobi drill, pictured below. What sort of attachments would I need for this drill to make it capable of doing this task?? He will be able to buy new attachments.

   

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Carolynk 

You will need the correct sized drill bit (take the security latch with you to the store to compare the drills against.

Notice the chuck (where the screwdriver bit is) has a dial with numbers on it. The higher the number the more torque (strength to turn) the drill has. There should be a picture of just a drill on that dial. That is what is needed to be selected to be able to drill holes.

To remove the philips head bit from the chuck, (remove battery first) then a sharp turn antclockwise on the chuck while holding the drill towards you should release it. To install the drill is the opposite tho more of a slow hard tightening by hand.

The type of drill machine should really make no difference to its ability to drill holes. You just need a sharpish drill bit. If you are pushing too hard then something isnt working right.

Dave

[EricL]

Hello @Carolynk 

Thanks for sharing your question about your latch and lock for your shed. That's spot on advice from @Dave-1, my only other suggestion is to hold the door as steady as possible so that your drill bit will not drift too badly when drilling into it. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Carolynk]

Thanks very much for taking time out to reply, hopefully it will work!!!

[Noyade]

How are you getting on with this Carol? @Carolynk 

Excellent advice/tips above.

Looking at your photo  - I think I see old pop-rivets and a blank hole.

If you go down the pop-rivet path, I highly recommend this Trojan product - wonderful bit of kit.

I love the big 4.8 mm rivets with a 5mm drill bit.

I scared off a thief many years ago in the middle of the night - he was unscrewing the screws holding the latch. Pop-riveted the next morning - then eventually welded it on.

Cheers.