I need latch ideas for this gate

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I did some more work on my little front-yard fence, yesterday -- welding together the gate.(In this picture it's got hose clamps and spacers so both halves are fixed together -- the concrete was setting.)I wanted something that would swing in or out, sort of like the doors to Wild West saloons.  My plan is to use springs and magnets to make it self-closing.  But I won't need it to latch most of the time -- in normal use, it's not there for anything other than decoration.  But with a toddler on the loose, there are going to be times when I'd like to be able to latch it shut.  I guess a simple chain (like inside a front door) would do it, but there might be better solutions for a way to close it that's easy to engage/disengage and sufficient to the task of stopping my 14-month-old.Any ideas?Last edited by Jack Olsen; 08-27-2009 at 06:57 PM.
Reply:Maybe just a pin set up. High enough your kid cant reach it? Thats all i gotTJ
Reply:I think you need a slide latch on the outside so the kid can't work it. Make the tube for the slide into part a couple inches long and it will hold the two gates more in alignment. They are easy to make.
Reply:On something like that I'd suggest one of two different types.1- if you're ok with drilling into the walkway put a cane bolt on the side that wont get used as often, then just about any gate latch will work for the other side. If you want the gate that's not cane bolted to swing open in either direction check out the latch I did here.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=334772-If you do not like the idea of a cane bolt holding one side I'd suggest a horizontal sliding bolt latch. Basically a male sliding pin on one gate that mates with a female sleeve on the other gate. It'd need to be fairly long to keep the gates from wobbling when latched shut. The pin would need to be fairly stout too, since pushing on the gates would exert considerable leverage on the pin.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Slide pin, hook and eyebolt, cane bolt with gate latch setup.  Any of those would work.