gate bolt

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:45 am

The person who installed our gate left the bolt (and thus the gate) flapping around in the breeze. The bolt is one of these:

Where it drops vertically into the ground sits in a sleeve like this:

But there is no sign of one of these (which would hold the gate much more securely):

What is that latter piece called? I did try googling and found a couple on sale, but not in the size/shape I need. I've currently bought a whole new bolt set (which is what i took the photos of), but it seems a rather expensive way to get that one component.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:40 am

That part, whatever it is called, is not needed where the bolt drops into the ground. Even the tube isn't necessary, just drill a hole in the concrete or paving.

The plate is normally used where the tip of the bolt goes either horizontally, or upwards, in to a timber frame, to prevent wear on the timber.

If it is a single gate, it would really be best to put a latch or bolt (not that one) horizontally, halfway up, into the frame or adjacent wall. A drop bolt into the ground does nothing to stop the top flapping in the wind. There are many types of gate security, post a couple of pictures of the gate and state the dimensions.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 5:45 am

arco_iris wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:40 am That part, whatever it is called, is not needed where the bolt drops into the ground. Even the tube isn't necessary, just drill a hole in the concrete or paving.

The plate is normally used where the tip of the bolt goes either horizontally, or upwards, in to a timber frame, to prevent wear on the timber.

If it is a single gate, it would really be best to put a latch or bolt (not that one) horizontally, halfway up, into the frame or adjacent wall. A drop bolt into the ground does nothing to stop the top flapping in the wind. There are many types of gate security, post a couple of pictures of the gate and state the dimensions.

It's a pair of gates:

Right gate - the hole in the concrete is too big, so i will refill it with fresh mortar, and use the bolt to "cut" a new hole whilst wet.

Left gate - I was also going to add a bolt to this too.

We're in a very windy part of the world, and the wind seems to be channelled up our drive to these gates.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:22 am

I'd wondered about something like this - I assume it gets concreted into the ground for extra security

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:31 am

Ah, I see now, only one gate was mentioned. One of these? 20mm holes.

fleabay £8.95 posted

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:48 am

is the problem you have , as setup now , is the problem just the issue with the wind that rattles the gates ?
and so is that why you want to add n extra bolt

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:49 am

The top brace on your gate is incorrect and serves no purpose.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:14 am

etaf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:48 am is the problem you have , as setup now , is the problem just the issue with the wind that rattles the gates ?
and so is that why you want to add n extra bolt

I want to stop the gates rattling against each other (happens when there is the slightest breeze, so unbearable when very windy). As a starter that means ensuring the right gate bolts into the ground, and then probably adding a bolt to the left gate too.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:16 am

arco_iris wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:31 am Ah, I see now, only one gate was mentioned. One of these? 20mm holes.

[url=<a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404110170645 ... edia=EMAIL" class="skimlinks-unlinked" data-skimwords-word="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2F404110170645%3Fmkcid%3D16%26mkevt%3D1%26mkrid%3D711-127632-2357-0%26ssspo%3DHdelAMA3QR-%26sssrc%3D2349624%26ssuid%3DHm_Gwu49Tva%26var%3D%26widget_ver%3Dartemis%26media%3DEMAIL" data-skim-creative="500005" title="" style="">https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404110170645 ... a=EMAIL</a> ]fleabay £8.95 posted[/url]

Looks perfect, and even if a hole drilled in concrete would suffice, I will probably add that strip for extra reassurance,

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:23 am

whats on the other side, is there a piece of wood the length of one gate holding the 2nd gate back

we also have a bar across the top of our gates , and so one gates has a slide bolt top and bottom - BUT we are also in a very windy area and like you the wind blows down the side of the house and rattles the gates

I just made sure the bolt going across the centre actually didn't have much play in it , so it did not allow the gate to rattle and forced it up against the wood butt

i did the same to 2 other gates I made and fitted by a fence...

you could add some shims to the underneath of the bolt so it locks then together , and maybe a bolt to the floor on the other gate as well

but the wind can be very strong near us - just 0.5km away from the sea, so wind can be an issue

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:06 pm

Argyll wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:49 am The top brace on your gate is incorrect and serves no purpose.

If you are referring to the upper diagonal(s) then I agree. The upper diagonals should match the pattern of the lower diagonals. Their purpose is to prevent the gate(s) 'lozenging'.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sun Apr 16, 2023 4:34 am

etaf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:23 am whats on the other side, is there a piece of wood the length of one gate holding the 2nd gate back

we also have a bar across the top of our gates , and so one gates has a slide bolt top and bottom - BUT we are also in a very windy area and like you the wind blows down the side of the house and rattles the gates

I just made sure the bolt going across the centre actually didn't have much play in it , so it did not allow the gate to rattle and forced it up against the wood butt

i did the same to 2 other gates I made and fitted by a fence...

you could add some shims to the underneath of the bolt so it locks then together , and maybe a bolt to the floor on the other gate as well

but the wind can be very strong near us - just 0.5km away from the sea, so wind can be an issue

Sorry for delay in replying, had to switch to car fixing to avoid extortionate garage bill!

This is the rear:

I have now added a drop bolt to the other gate, which has improved things somewhat. The remaining source of rattling in strong wind now is the latch itself (too much play). I will add a photo later.

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:05 am

looks like noting to stop the gates moving forward - ie 1 gate can go past the other gate
as i say mine has a piece of wood down one side of the gate for the other gate to rest up to

Then ther eis no gap between the gates when closed , and the locks push the gates together

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:18 am

One thing you could add is a wooden crossbar held in two cleats. These slot in bars, like you see in films about castle gates will add strength and stop rattles. Easily fabricated, I have one on a set of doors in my stables.

DWD

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:14 am

etaf wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:05 am looks like noting to stop the gates moving forward - ie 1 gate can go past the other gate
as i say mine has a piece of wood down one side of the gate for the other gate to rest up to

Then ther eis no gap between the gates when closed , and the locks push the gates together

Good thinking - i will do a mock-up with some g-clamps and a couple of strips of wood at the top of the gate to see if it makes much difference. It's hard to know the main source of the rattle (the bolts rattling in the ground, or the gates moving independently of each other).

Having fitted a bolt to the second gate we had no rattling yesterday during the strong winds. It wasn't a major storm, but certainly windy enough to have previously rattled the gates. We might be getting somewhere! Thanks everyone as always for all the help/suggestions.