Horseshoe Corral Gate Latch EZ 2 build

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Here is a short build for a corral gate latch using three old horsehoes and some other materials. It is not original, I've seen them used in dairys around Az for years.  The neat thing is from a distance,  if you see two horsehoes the gate is open, if you see one shoe the gate is closed.  thanks to DSW for the prompt to add this little project.Materials: 2  matching horsehoes, one more horsehoe. 18"  3/4" solid round stock2     1" long pieces of tubing that slip over the roundstock smoothly.12"   1x1 1/8" angle iron  pic1: materials pic 2 : place the two 1 " tubes at the ends of the angle iron, slide the rod thru to align it  and use a clamp to hold it all down... weld the tubes in place.pic3:  cut about 1" off the ends of one of the matching horseshoes and butt weld it to the angle iron  You want it smooth on  back and located about 1/2" in from the tube.pic4: bend a nice S, into the end of the top horsehoe... take a little time to match it up snug with the lower one.more pics on post 2Note: This top shoe is going to be welded onto the roundstock to slide it back and forth. Leave room at the top to raise it a little as you slide the gatelatch open. Weld it in right over the rear one onto the roundstock. Again, you place it about 1/2" in from the tube.  The roundstock shoud stick out the butt end about 1" for spacing.   finished gatelatch photos on the next post:pic5:  the gatelatch open showing two horseshoespic6: gate latch closed, you see one shoe  from across the pasture.   pic7: Installed, I weld them in I got enough nuts and bolts to check and tighten around the ranchita Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 03-23-2010 at 10:14 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:weld that 3rd odd horsehoe to the post, centered for the roundstock and bend it over some,  if the gate drops a bit it'll still be ok. All welds are basically a "stack of little cowpies"  we got no dimes out here, sorry  I let them get a nice patina, they get smooth the more you use 'em.  Using new horseshoes just ain't the "cowboy way"  and painting them would be a waste of good paint and time not to mention leading to a sticky latch eventually. If U diamond plate one, please, I don't want to knowenjoy, Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 03-23-2010 at 10:12 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I've built some like it as well but I use square tubing instead of the angle and pipe. I cut two sides of the square out and leave a little bit on both ends.
Reply:I'd like to see a pic of that, sounds smooth and clean.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Thanks PapLion. I'm going to save this as a reference. I've got a good client thats got some horses and these would make great stall or gate latches. Now I just have to hook up with their farrier and get some horse shoes for all the projects I'm amassing..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The ones I've seen were angled down so gravity would hold them closed if they were banged around or there was a horse around that had time to play with them.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:Yup, authentic used shoes just look right, and that smell when the rod heats them up is something unique  I've made a bunch of hangers by cutting them in half and welding them to another full one 90 degrees, I'll post a pic laterGreat looking latch!! There will be a few of them uphere when I get around to replacing a gate of mine..... honest I'll get to that this weekend....
Reply:I've watched horses tease at these, if you put the S in the top one  so  it sits flush when closed and  it only raises about 20-30 degrees open then it is hard for the horse to tease it open. They are smart and sly but mostly it works.  My goats have never made a big escape... yetA #5 Masters locks 'em up.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Nice job on these PapaLion.Harvey Lacey over on Tractorsbynet also builds these. For his he uses a piece of 1" channel (it welds a lot easier to round pipe) and he also puts a little catch so that the shoe on the bolt has to be lifted up then slid. Horses are curious and SMART buggers and they can figure out the darndest things when given the chance.I've also found that the third horseshoe should be slightly smaller than the others. That way when the latch is closed you see one horseshoe, when open you see two.I really like the offset detail you are using in yours, and the way you illustrated it.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Thanks much, UR absolutely right on horses Stampeder. Tricky beasts.  For that very reason and because having horses around leads to flies and then sometimes even women... neither of which do I need more of on the ranchita... I run Boer Goats.  They're friendlier, don't bite, rarely stomp you and are much better to eatA little  piece  for that top shoe to go over and past  would be good idea for peace of mind with horses.  Matching that top shoe to the bottom one by eye makes it turn out real smooth.  After U build a coupla ya get the hang of it of course. enjoy, BretLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Got three horses, two geldings, one mare......and one wife all of which is my limit!! We keep the flies down using predator flies....work great, cause this place is really bad for flies other wise. We also got too many feral hogs around here. Neighbour shot 13 in one short sitting the other day. Big suckers too.....For gates that are seldom use I down size the diameter of the shaft so it won't rust and then sieze.Thanks again for posting this Bret.G.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Storing old horsehoes is a pain.  They got nails on 'em and they are heavy and got pointy ends. They break up or go thru any wooden box or plastic bucket that I've ever tried. BUT, this works aok, use an old rim works better than a deep metal can because you can get at them. Water doesn't stay, so they're dry and not too rusty.  Ez to move around and keeps 'em tidy. enjoy, Attached ImagesLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Some poor shoeless waif of a horse, in Winter no less, is gonna shuffle by that gate, little tears working down her/his face, and wonder why you denied a good animal proper footwear in the blizzard.For shame"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammSome poor shoeless waif of a horse, in Winter no less, is gonna shuffle by that gate, little tears working down her/his face, and wonder why you denied a good animal proper footwear in the blizzard.For shame
Reply:Actually, no , Sandy.However, if you are a true horse-lover, you should vote next time around, whatever needs to be done, to void the current law prohibiting selling horses for slaughter.    Even though horses are stupid animals, they should still be worth something, as it is, you got a 20 year old POS, most horse people today just starve the poor thing to death, there is no way they can sell it, into a quick painless profitable death.  If the french want to eat dog food, why not let them????   And make a little money off it at the same time????
Reply:IF we ever have a blizzard here I will donate the whole lot to the "Horse Red Cross" U can count on it. I got a farrier bud who gives them to me, but  really u only need so many... what can U do with 100s of old horeshoes?   I've had a few horses, lots of work to do them justice... IF I ever got something like that again it'd be a pair of molly mules, one to ride, one to pack and switch off.  I doubt I'd be as tough as the mules but I entertain the thought... our BLM guys hold an annual auction and for about $2-300 U can get a WILD donkey and sometimes a nice looking horse... course then U got a WILD horse, never been around people... hmmm.   And canned dog food is so highLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools