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Let me preface by saying that I'm not really looking for "shopping advice". I just need some direction on how to tackle this issue.

We recently purchased a house and it has a block fence around the back yard, with a side gate. The latch is facing the exterior so, I would like to put a lock on it. The issue is that the latch (located on the right side of the gate) is too close to the block to fit a standard lock through it. I've tried a few different kinds of locks and nothing seems to fit.

Any advice and/or direction would be appreciated.

UPDATE -- Photos added enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here

Batfan
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7 Answers7

14

One option would be to drill holes through the post to allow you to use the lock that you have (or perhaps a slightly longer lock).

enter image description here

Ben Welborn
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11

It would be fairly easy to retrofit a proper locking latch.

enter image description here

Product link (for reference only)

Here's one that locks from either side. You'd need to grind off the old one, drill for the new one, paint, and mount the new one.

isherwood
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8

There are cable locks that have a plain end to the cable that might fit through.

cable lock

You might have to file the hole a little bigger in the lock mechanism to allow the end of the cable to angle through.

There are also shorter cable locks, but they tend to have a beefier cable end that is captive within the locking mechanism.

 Images and links are for illustration only, not an endorsement of goods or sources.
bib
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6

if you could get it tight enough, you could attach the lock in other ways to keep the latch from lifting. did you try any of these configurations?

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teldon james turner
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5

Maybe you can find an anvil padlock that would fit?

enter image description here

RedGrittyBrick
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2

I would suggest reversing the lock. First the lock "should" be on the inside.

After that the peg part should be on the gate, and the latch part on the post, but because you need more room, put the latch part on the gate, and the peg part on the post.

It's not ideal because you will have a "peg part" sticking out into the walk through area, but it will make locking and useing the gate 100 times easier.

If you want to keep the lock on the outside, that's fine, just reverse the peg part and the latch part.

Currently they appear to be welded on. You will need to break that. A hammer and lever should do just fine. When re attaching just use metal screws. There's no need to weld. If you have a disk grinder then you can smooth out the left over welds after you break off the old latch. Either way, your going to have to buy a new latch.

coteyr
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Just buy a longer one that goes over the top and locks everything. You can get it in Ace Hardware for $7!

Niall C.
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Stephan
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