How to Make a Gate Latch

Gates are not very useful if you can not close them. A good latch is important for keeping animals in a pen or out of your yard. Latches on wooden gates are simple to make. this article will describe how to make a drop type latch.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• screws, screwdriver, saw, drill, 3/8 bolt, nut and washers, a 1x4 board, measuring tape

1. Determine what length board you will need. Measure from the middle of the gate to the far side of the post where the gate will latch. The more of the gate the latch covers, the stronger the latch will be. Cut the board the desired length.

2. Drill a hole in the board, with a 3/8 drill bit, 3 inches from the end of the board. Drill a hole in the gate where the latch will be attached.

3. Put a washer on the bolt and put it through the hole in the latch and through the hole in the gate. Put a washer on the other side of the bolt and the place the nut on the bolt. Hand tighten.

4. You will need to make a latch holder on the open end of the gate. To do this cut 2 pieces of board 3 inches long and 1 piece 8 inches long. Screw the small pieces onto the gate at the open end and then screw the long piece onto the small pieces. The latch should move freely inside the holder.

5. To fix where the gate will latch, cut a board 3 inches longer than the width of the fence post at the open end of the gate. Cut a slot in the board that the latch will fall in to. The slot should be flush with the post. Screw the board into the post making sure the slot is flush with the post. The latch should fall into the slot keeping the gate closed.