A New Grip for your fence gate latch
Getting a new grip for your fence gate latch with a new handle that is. As soon as you put a latch on your gate your going to need a way to release that latch from the other side of the gate. You could just reach over the gate and undo the latch. But that can get extremely old very quick. I found that I could improvise a handle and linkage to the latch with materials any homeowner will have around the house. Since the materials are repurposed the new handle cost is free.
What you need
You need a metal clothes hanger for the linkage mechanism and some 3/4″ or 1/2″ PVC pipe for the handle. Tools needed are a drill with two bits a 3/8-1/2″ bit and a 1/8″ bit. A pair of wire cutters for cutting the clothes hanger. A pair of vise grips to help twist the wire around the handle and the latch. A file or sandpaper to remove sharp edges from the cut ends of the wire.
Directions
- Cut the “handle” from the PVC pipe. Make it large enough that with your hand gripping the pipe, the pipe extends beyond your hand by at least a half inch on both sides of your gripping hand.
- Cut the clothes hanger near its neck and undo the bends to get it as straight as you can.
- Drill a hole thru the middle of the cut pipe with the 1/8″ bit.
- Thread the wire thru the handle and beyond it by 3-4 inches and bend the wire back over the pipe.
- Clamp both pieces of the wire with the vise grips and twist the handle to tighten the wire around the pipe.
- Cut off any excess wire from the twist.
- File or sand away the sharp edges of the wire end.
- Drill a hole in the fence board at a downward angle toward the latch with the larger bit.
- Thread the wire thru the hole toward the latch leave the handle so that it has enough room that you can grasp it without rubbing your knuckles on the fence board. You can use the vise grips and clamp the wire at the fence board to hold the “handle” in place.
Safety:
You will be cutting wire there will be sharp edges, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Wear leather gloves to protect your hands from the cut ends.
- Cut the wire 2″ past the point on the latch where the wire will thread thru.
- Bend the wire at a 90º angle and thread thru the latch.
- Bend the wire back toward the handle and using the vise grips twist it a full turn to lock it to the latch.
- File or sand away the sharp edges of the wire end.
- Test your new handle. it should move freely thru the fence board.
- It should operate the latch easily.(if the wire gets bent during operation simply straighten it)
- The weight of the “handle” will push the latch closed.
There you have it a new grip for your fence gate latch. Now you will be able to open the gate latch with ease from any side of the gate.
Related Articles: Self-closing Gates
(Mybusyretiredlife.com All Rights Reserved)
(Mybusyretiredlife.com All Rights Reserved)
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