Need ideas...quick!!!

StevenPaul · Nov 13, 2006

Hey Y'all!

Once again I call upon the minds that have inspired myself and others. I have a problem that needs fixin' quick. We're gettin ready to go on vacation and we need a lock for our gate. Something simple that I can build pretty quick or buy fairly cheap, yet secure, as secure as secure can be anyways. I've thought about chains, etc. but I also thought that y'all would be more creative and have some better ideas. See attached pictures for the set up.

and as always, thanks for the help!
Steve

StevenPaul · Nov 13, 2006

oh yeah, if you have any pictures of your ideas or gate locking systems, that would be great too.

BTDT · Nov 13, 2006

How about a pic of road showing both sides of entrance. A chain, binder and some locks will be the quickest, then when you get back you can build something more elaborate. How much money do we get to spend, you want wood, tubing, pipe, etc.? Harv has some beautiful gates he has built, do you want something like that?

srjones · Nov 13, 2006

How is the gate constructed? Is that steel tube or fiberglass?

I'd say the quickest/cheapest/easiest way to secure it would be a few feet of chain and a padlock. However, it looks like you'll need to drill a hole in the end of the gate inorder for that to work.

So, putting on my creative hat, you could fabricate something that inserted into the end of the gate and then went around the post when the gate was shut. The locking mechanism would be on the inside.

My crude ASCII drawing below kinda gives you the jist of what I'm trying to say...

Before (current)

O ==============

After

_ _
| O |==============
-----

schmism · Nov 13, 2006

i like the bolt and chain method although your limited to the person accessing it needing a 5/8" wrench to get in.

which leads you to weld on the last link of chain (if its a metal pole)

otherwise bring the post to the gate? (add a second 4x4/4x6 post next to the existing one and use and off the shelf lock for a livestock gate.)

Northern Industrial 2-Way Lockable Livestock Gate Latch |Fences + Gates | Northern Tool + Equipment

StevenPaul · Nov 13, 2006

good ideas so far, thanks again, and it's a steel pipe gate about 14'-16' long, the angled support brace is just out of the picture and then I used an old satellite dish support thingamajig (inner-outer pipe) for the post for the swingin motion. Does any of that make sense? I was tryin at one time to incorporate some horse shoes, seems like I saw somewhere in here maybe where some one else had done that but I can't remember if there was a "lockable" horse shoe gate latch? Keep the ideas comin please!

Steve

deereguy · Nov 13, 2006

I understand you want to lock the gate to keep unwelcomed guests out, my concern is if there would be a reason for the fire dept to gain access to your property? I would probably look at a chain or something that bolt cutter could snap.

We have two farms, both with gates at the entrance on the driveway and they aren't currently locked just for that reason (fire). We try to keep a good repore with the police and neighbors so they know when we might be at either place.

Thanksgiving weekend is typically a higher crime period.

DieselPower · Nov 13, 2006

Here would be a very very simple way to lock it with very little time and money. All you need is a little flat band iron, welder, saw and drill. Please forgive the simple stick figure drawing's but it should get my idea across.

On the end of the pipe weld a piece of band iron and drill a hole through it. On the pole mount a plate with two tabs welded to it. Mount using 2 carriage bolts. The tabs will have a hole drilled through them in line with the hole in the tab on the end of the pipe. Place padlock through holes, walla, locked gate and less than $2 in supplies.

StevenPaul · Nov 13, 2006

that's pretty darn simple right there, I might just have to go with that one for now. As for locking it, we don't normally lock it as you can tell but the wife and I discussed it and we thought this time around we should do something. I've even thought of putting "fake" lock on it, still might, but either way I still thank all y'all for the quick response and good ideas.

Steve