Lock that won't freeze

[BeezFun]

I remember that yes, the chains pass through from each side and where the chain overlaps you snap the lock through. Pretty much out of sight. Sorry, I don’t have a pic.

I get it. Actually it could just be like a little lean to with sides and a top. A notch in each side to hold the chain ends, then put the lock through the chain.

 

[BeezFun]

Like this, instead have pipe vertical, capped on top.
Slot cut in each side, flat bar or chain connect the two pipes.
With a lock on 1 side.. or both for flat bar.
Other side can be a tab, bolt on flat bar or whatever to keep it from sliding out.
See no reason it can't be adapted for a single swing gate as well.

tnx, that helps

 

[oosik]

There will always be a few days where the padlock will freeze up. I have a propane cigarette lighter in the glove box - just for those days.

 

[Egon]

Tin can with slots up two sides.

 

[ArlyA]

Here people cover locks with any type of cover that will keep most of the moisture out. Some use a rubber flaps that they just pick up to get to the lock and actuate it. Yearly oiling also helps. Better locks with SS or brass parts helps, but without oil, they freeze just the same. Seems those '"sealed paddle locks" don't work very well keeping water out and they freeze. Let us know what you do!

 

[JethroB]

I would think this should be where WD-40 shines. WD originally meant water displacement. True?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Our gates have a piece of 4" pipe welded upright, with a piece of flat stock on top. Picture a tin can on steroids, with the open end down. You can weld a metal tab onto the chain for the lock , and cut a hole in the side of the pipe to slide the tab into.

You still might have freezing problems, but you can reduce that by spraying the lock with WD-40 or something better. It's also a good idea to keep a propane torch handy.

A word of caution though... in summertime you may find a hornet's nest in your lock box.

Silicone lubricant will shed water without attracting dirt.

 

[ArlyA]

I would think this should be where WD-40 shines. WD originally meant water displacement. True?

They make an oil for locks which we keep a bottle of. I'm not sure what the differences is but WD-40 is more like a parts cleaner and does not stay around.

 

[BeezFun]

I met with the aesthetics committee, she decided unanimously that we won't have any soup cans or rusty pipes on the front gate. I'm going to take an old mailbox that was damaged when a tree fell on it, cut it so it's only about 3" deep and reweld the back onto it. Put a hole in each side with a hole saw for the chain and we can open and close the mailbox door to get access to the lock. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[BoylermanCT]

There will always be a few days where the padlock will freeze up. I have a propane cigarette lighter in the glove box - just for those days.

This. I have locks on my trail cameras in the wood around my place. I carry a propane lighter / mini torch and it un-freezes any lock in a few seconds. Easy-peasy.