Oops! Chain link posts are too close for Gate latch hardware to fit on gate. Is there a latch style that will work (or how can I make one?) that can help me avoid ripping the post out and resetting?

Gate swings through no problem, but only about inch of clearance between gate and post (without latch hardware attached.) I'm not concerned with how it looks. Just functionality.

I have a picture but not sure how to post it as I'm currently on a mobile version of site.

Disregard I will upload picture tonight.

 

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...rt-images.html

Here are the picture instructions.

 

Maybe you can turn your hinge rings slightly to one side to gain a little space for the drop latch.

 

Hello and thanks for responses!

I tried a mockup with the hinge pins turned. They would have to be almost 90 degrees off and it was too much.

I placed the latch at that spot just to show how large it is.

I have two ideas outside of a possible latch that will fit on its own.

1.) cut the gate at the middle on top and bottom and remove length and refit together with coupler.
2.) Drill hole through gate at 90 degree angle and somehow make a latch out of threaded rod through the hole with a fork on either side and maybe do the same thing on opposite post to act as a catch for forks.

 

Just cruising around google....

Chain link dog kennel gate latch for your dog kennel


and.........

 

Chandler's idea is the quickest and cheapest method. But PJ has some great ideas. I might look at some these myself.

 

You can also google pool gate latch and get a wide variety of interesting ideas on locking gate mechanisms.

 

I'll give the pool latches a look also. I was hoping to find something that opens both directions. I'm probably starting to get too picky.

 

I am thinking of some type of sliding bolt latch. Not sure how it would fasten to the gate.

 

I have a slide bolt latch on a livestock gate but the slide bolt it screwed into the 4x4 post and the receiving end is welded to the gate. Not sure how clamps would work if welding isn't an option.

 

will the latch part pivot through past 90 degrees at the bolt it's pivoting on? Or is there some way to rework the latch to allow it to do so (this might eliminate the ability to lock the latch, but I don't know if that matters for your situation)?

If so, it looks like the shackle that's supporting the pivot for the latch could be moved up higher around the corner bend on the gate frame in order to create some space for the latch to engage fully.

 

The latch doesn't go any lower then currently shown in his picture.

You could probably grind it to go lower but when it hit a certain point it will just fall and be too low.

 

The latch I have wont work. It's designed to rest against the post its attached to. Been doing a ton of digging and I think this latch will be my best bet. It's called a throw arm latch and rests on top of everything.

DIY Fence Solutions

It's the middle picture

 

Just FYI.... in the link I left you for the dog kennel the latch does open from both directions.

 

Ok. Thanks PJ.....................

 

Just a coincidence, but went to do a small repair at a house yesterday, and they had a similar problem. They offset the hinge side of the gate buy loosening and rotating it until the latch side cleared enough room. The gate therefore had a little jog in it but was a solution. Would work for you while you continued your search.

 

That looks like just the ticket!

 

Z. He tried that after my suggestion, but it didn't work. I like the throw arm latch. Sets my mind to thinking about my preponderance of gates and their latching maladies. For the cattle gates we just use chains and hooks, but the chain link areas, I like the throw arm.