Things You'll Need:
- Hammer, galvanized nails or screws, screwdriver, short 1x4, 2x2, 1" piece of 1" dowel, wood glue.
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Step 1
Some folks don't want to pay the outrageous prices they're asking for hardware nowadays when they can make something just as servicable themselves from scraps found around the shop or barn. This gate latch works fine and is easy to construct. First, cut a 10"" piece of 2x2 and drill an 1/8" hole 1" from one end. This will be the moving arm part of your latch that will hang from one post.
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Step 2
Screw the 1x3 to the post loosely so it hangs where you want the latch, about waist heigth. Adjust the tension by tightening or loosening the screw pivot.
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Step 3
Cut a piece of 2x2 and a piece of 1x4 to a length that matches the fence post's width. Glue the 2x2 to one long side of the 1x4. That will be your latch seat. Attach that with longer nails or screws to the other gate post, pre drilling will help prevent splitting. Set it's location by flipping the latch over as you would latch it and finding where it lays level on the seat with the latch arm long enough so it sticks past the seat a few inches.
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Step 4
Glue a 1" piece of a dowel to the latch arm face where it sticks past the seat to act as a grab knob. To latch the gate just spin the latch around to the seat. To unlatch spin it till it hangs down along the post. The screw at top of the arm acts as a swivel. If the latch needs a locking mechanism drill a hole through the latch arm and seat while the arm is seated and use a piece of dowel inserted to lock the latch. Put locking dowel back in hole when opened so it's not lost. Now you have a gate latch that should last a while.
