Locking closet door...

...without it appearing to be locked. In other words, I could install a bedroom handle on the closet but then you would note it was that type of handle. Plus, a small screwdriver is all that is needed to open this lock.

So what other stealthy ways do people use to lock their closets? Right now I have a latch on the bottom of my door that you can access by putting you hand under the door and releasing or latching when shut. This is OK, but the "lock" is then at the bottom and pulling on the door shows that there is something holding it shut at the bottom. Need something further up, but stealthy still.

I've got family coming by soon, will be here for a few days. Since it is a closet, might never be noticed (I never check their closets out when I visit, but that's me).

Ideas?

I Don't know man, rearrange the room, put a big piece a furniture in front of it lol, maybe a nice tapestry to cover it up. my closet is in a bedroom I use for an office. I put a keyed lock on the door. tell peeps thats where I keep my Mad magazine collection, don't want no one stealin it LOL

A cheep bathroom locking knob. The one with just a hole on the outside. Takes a pen to open

What, no sneaky bastards on here?

brotherjericho said:

...without it appearing to be locked. In other words, I could install a bedroom handle on the closet but then you would note it was that type of handle. Plus, a small screwdriver is all that is needed to open this lock.

So what other stealthy ways do people use to lock their closets? Right now I have a latch on the bottom of my door that you can access by putting you hand under the door and releasing or latching when shut. This is OK, but the "lock" is then at the bottom and pulling on the door shows that there is something holding it shut at the bottom. Need something further up, but stealthy still.

I've got family coming by soon, will be here for a few days. Since it is a closet, might never be noticed (I never check their closets out when I visit, but that's me).

Ideas?

Click to expand...

Yeah. Put 'em up (the kin folks) at Motel 6.

There is a way,... remote car door lock actuators, rigged up with standard slideing locks. There was a mag thread about it, can't remember. I'll get have to get back with you on that.

Electromagnets and a secret switch to release. Actuators could work too as smokedogg mentioned.

Fuck all that, go to ebay or home depot and get a fingerprint door lock, and install a dead bolt lock. You can get one for as low as $60 bucks, well worth it.

NetGuruINC said:

Fuck all that, go to ebay or home depot and get a fingerprint door lock, and install a dead bolt lock. You can get one for as low as $60 bucks, well worth it.

Click to expand...

I think you might have missed that key word "stealthy." That way if one of his family members tryd the door because thier not familiar with the layout and thought it was the washroom, or wanted to see his closet for whatever reason, the door would not open. Then because the knob turns but the door wont open, he could say "oh yea that door jammed the other day and i need to get it fixed, its only a closet no big deal."

If people see fingerprint door lock and a deadbolt on a interior door they start asking questions. Atleast i would because there MUST be something good in there! Just a thought...

^^ What he said

Warlock1369 said:

A cheep bathroom locking knob. The one with just a hole on the outside. Takes a pen to open

Click to expand...

I think Warlock had the best idea. A regular old door knob with the tiny hole at the center is about as stealthy as it gets. Then you could just lock it from the inside and unlock it pretty easy with a paper clip or something.

That and I don't know many people that will open a closet unless it looks fun. Simple is best. And I've had many aparments that had those locks on closets just because there cheep as regular knobs. Nobody ever knew what was behind it. Unless it was the hallway. Everyone wanted to put there coats in there. Also if you never unlock it it's always locked. After a few times you know how to open it and don't think about doing it. Also learned if you have family staying over don't put them in a room you have secret stuff in. Had inlaws stay once. My ol lady put them in our room. ( I was out of town) her mom found the box under the close in the closet with all the sex toys. Glad I wasn't there to explain that. But they never snooped after that ether. Lol. I can only imagin her dads face when he saw the swing. Then looked above the bed at the large hook now holding a small house plant.

brotherjericho said:

What, no sneaky bastards on here?

Click to expand...

Does the door open inwards? if it does, you could put one of the swing gate latches on the inside, run the string up high and hide the end of it somewhere, but if it opens outward into the room, best I can figger, is put the smallest slide bolt type latch under the door, so that if someone does happen to be nosy and pull on the door, it will feel as though it's just stuck and discourage further effort.( http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/QuickViewService?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&R=202950138&catEntryId=202950138 )
You might check the gate latch and see if it's strong enough that you could mount it upside down, so that you don't run the chance of the string falling from the top.
PS, I am called chucky because I'm short, evil and always carry a knife, but I'm not called sneaky very often LOL

Like Warlock said get a plain door knob that can lock on one end and has a pin hole on the other side. You can lock it from the inside and pop it open with a metal coat hanger or such by putting it in the hole. It's fast cheap, and looks like it belongs there.

Solemhypnotic said:

I think Warlock had the best idea. A regular old door knob with the tiny hole at the center is about as stealthy as it gets. Then you could just lock it from the inside and unlock it pretty easy with a paper clip or something.

Click to expand...

If I saw one of those, locked from the other side, only two thoughts would come to mind...... either "how stupid is he to put the lock on backwards" or "what's in there that he doesn't want people to see?"

brotherjericho said:

...without it appearing to be locked. In other words, I could install a bedroom handle on the closet but then you would note it was that type of handle. Plus, a small screwdriver is all that is needed to open this lock.

So what other stealthy ways do people use to lock their closets? Right now I have a latch on the bottom of my door that you can access by putting you hand under the door and releasing or latching when shut. This is OK, but the "lock" is then at the bottom and pulling on the door shows that there is something holding it shut at the bottom. Need something further up, but stealthy still.

I've got family coming by soon, will be here for a few days. Since it is a closet, might never be noticed (I never check their closets out when I visit, but that's me).

Ideas?

Click to expand...

Drywall and pop locks.

WHAT closet?

I seen a lot of answers but i haven't seen a closet yet? if it has a knob get a lock-able knob.if you have sliding doors get a could hook screws to screw in the wood in the middle.If you have a single fold out door than i say get a new door lol

This is my grow closet and people still don't know how to open it.Hooked screws in the board that keeps em aligned.

Why don't you use a bolt lock, hook up a piece of plastic or light weight wood to the lock and place a magnet on the end of the plastic/wood. Use the opposite magnet to unlock/lock the door from the outside. You won't see a thing on the outside, door knobs would still work (if there is one) and no drilling would be needed. Simple, easy, and very effective.

Oh just be careful and use some thin cloth (like silk) with the magnets so it won't scratch the door/s! And watch those fingers!

To answer some questions, it is a regular type door, swings outward, with a lever type door handle. I am going to leave it as it is, my "lock" has done well enough thus far, should be sufficient. This is what I have on the backside of the door at the bottom:



I just have to reach under the door to engage and open it. Engaging it was a bitch until I tapered the hole a bit larger so it was easier to feel where to drop the rod.

brotherjericho said:

To answer some questions, it is a regular type door, swings outward, with a lever type door handle. I am going to leave it as it is, my "lock" has done well enough thus far, should be sufficient. This is what I have on the backside of the door at the bottom:

I just have to reach under the door to engage and open it. Engaging it was a bitch until I tapered the hole a bit larger so it was easier to feel where to drop the rod.

Click to expand...

Oh, you went into the floor to secure the door.. Ya got me, and I was REALLY trying to be creative, I used to be a locksmith before I turned mechanic
Jigsaw puzzle-I think everybody was like me and trying to figure how to secure the door to frame
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