Wooden Slide Bolt


John Hawkswell makes a useful, rustic-style bolt from scrap wood

Wooden door bolt on wooden surface.

If you want to add a different type of fastener to a project, why not make a wooden bolt? This rustic-style bolt would look particularly effective on a barn or ledge and brace door and it is also a great way of using up timber scraps. You could make a feature of it and use a timber that provides a colour contrast to the door. Any hardwood can be used. I used English oak in this project for the simple reason that I had some left from another project. Sizes are optional, but in practice, the minimum bolt diameter is about 18mm. Personally, I think a fairly chunky bolt looks the part.

Two metal lathe centres on wooden surface.

Safety Note

When working with split blanks, it is important they are glued together to mount them with a ring centre.
This won’t cause them to split apart during turning.

Ring centre (left) steb centre (right): both types can be used to drive split turnings safely without them separating

PlanDownload


If you want to add a different type of fastener to a project, why not make a wooden bolt?

The bolt

Wooden square dowel on white surface
1. Start by selecting a spindle 30 x 30 x 260mm – this will produce a 27mm diameter bolt
Two wooden rectangular blocks on a surface.
2. Cut the spindle lengthways into two sections. The section we want for the bolt should now measure approximately 18 x 30 x 260mm. If you wanted to make a number of these bolts, it is perfectly possible to cut the spindle in half and make two bolts at the same time
G clamps securing wooden pieces on table.
2. Cut the spindle lengthways into two sections. The section we want for the bolt should now measure approximately 18 x 30 x 260mm. If you wanted to make a number of these bolts, it is perfectly possible to cut the spindle in half and make two bolts at the same time
Woodturning lathe with wooden workpiece in progress.
4. Once the glue has dried, mount the assembly on the lathe and turn down to a cylinder – you are looking for a diameter of 27mm. Use a ring centre in the headstock to minimise the danger of opening up the glue joint. For the same reason, it is prudent to use a ring centre in the tailstock, although here I got away with a standard revolving centre. Place the toolrest parallel and as close as possible to the work; this will help to achieve a consistent diameter along the length
Woodturning tool with hollow wood component.
5. Before parting off, round over each end with a gouge
Two wooden dowels, one labelled 'waste'.
6. Split the two sections of the bolt apart by gently inserting a knife blade along the glue line
Close-up of a wooden dowel joint
7. Turn a knob in oak to match. The spigot diameter should be 10mm, to match the selected drill bit
Wooden flute body and detached block on table.
8. Drill a hole about halfway along the bolt, then trim the bolt to length
Wooden spurtle on white textured cloth.
9. Once this is done, you can then glue the knob into place

The staples

Router cut wooden shape with circular hole
10. It is now time to make the staples. You will require three of these. Cut out the shape with a bandsaw or jigsaw and drill the hole as shown. Use a 28mm sawtooth bit for this step. Make sure that the diameter of the hole is 1mm or 2mm larger than the diameter of the bolt you have just made. In terms of thickness, anything over 15mm will do the trick
Close-up of a wooden half circle arch cutout.
11. Cut the staple lengthwise so that the hole you have just drilled becomes an arc, ensuring this aperture can comfortably accommodate the profile of the bolt. You can then trim the two ends. Now, drill two holes in each staple to take the screws. If desired, the staple tops can be rounded over rather than left straight cut
Wooden door bolt with screws on wood panel
12. The bolt is now ready to sand and finish. Use a good quality hardening wax; this will help you to achieve a smooth gliding action on your slide bolt. Once dry, it can be screwed in position. This finished piece will survive a lot of hard use


PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN HAWKSWELL

Further reading

Woodturning from 1990 to 2024

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