By Paul Bianchina
Tired of wrestling with that saggy old gate? Not sure how to build a new gate that will fit right and stay solid in the future? The answer may be Adjust-A-Gate, an innovative gate-building kit that's perfect for the professional or the do-it-yourselfer.The Adjust-A-Gate kit is one of those "why didn't I think of that" products. It's simply a metal framework that is combined with standard 2x4 lumber to create a custom-fit gate for fences that are four, five or six feet high, even if the fence is on a slope. There are two sizes available, one for 36-inch- to 60-inch-wide openings and another for 60-inch- to 96-inch-wide openings. A pair can be used together to accommodate openings from 10 to 16 feet.
Easy Assembly
The kit is pretty much a do-it-yourselfer's dream. It contains all of the metal frame parts and all of the hardware you need - the only things you have to supply are the 2x4s.
First, the hinges are located and installed. The hinges supplied with the kit consist of L-shaped hinge pins with lag threads that are screwed into the wooden post at the side of the gate opening. The lag pins are threaded into holes you predrill in the post at the locations given in the instructions, and require a drill, drill bit, and either a pipe wrench or large adjustable pliers to get enough leverage to screw them in.
The other half of the hinge is a metal socket that slips over the hinge pins, and is then attached to one side of the metal gate frame. This connection is made with a carriage bolt and nut, and simplifies up and down movement of the frame.
Next, the rest of the metal gate frame is assembled. There are two metal extensions that slip into the hinge half of the frame, and then the latch half of the frame in turn slips over the other end of the extensions. The advantage of this system is that the two frame halves can slide in and out over the extension pieces, allowing you unlimited adjustment to get the fit of the frame just right within the opening, even if the opening is out of square.
When the frame is adjusted, cut two 2x4s to the proper length to fit within the metal pockets of the gate frame. The 2x4s are held in place with screws through the metal frame that locks everything together and maintains the proper size of the gate in relation to the opening.
Any gate will have a tendency to sag over time from the weight of the frame. The gate kit includes a metal cable and turnbuckle system that runs from the upper corner of the hinge side of the frame down to the lower corner of the latch side and allows for easy adjustment in the future to compensate for any sagging. Installation of a latch and stop complete the installation.
Now that gate frame is complete, you can finish off the outside of it to match your fence. The two horizontal 2x4s that hold the gate frame spread at the proper width also act as attachment points for your fencing material. Simply cut and space the fencing pieces to match the look of the rest of your fence and screw or nail them to the gate.
For gates that are installed in an opening on a sloping fence, the adjustments in the gate frame and the adjustment in the cable will allow you to slant the frame somewhat to compensate. You can then easily install the fence boards to match the angle of the slope.
To accommodate larger openings, two kits can be installed together. The installation procedure is the same as for a single gate, and the two frames simply meet in the middle. You can even make one gate larger than the other one, up to the limits of the gate frame width. A drop rod, purchased separately, secures the inactive gate to the ground, and the active gate then latches against the inactive one.
Adjust-A-Gates are available at most lumberyards and home centers and contain complete assembly instructions.
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted our "