Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Install Fence Hinges

Sturdy hinges are necessary on a heavily used gate.


If you have a fence running around the perimeter of your property, there's probably a hinged gate somewhere. Fence gates receive heavy usage. Because of this, one side of the hinge should always be installed onto a gate post cemented into the ground. The other side of the hinge should be placed on the backside of the fence door. If the door is framed, the hinge should be placed so that one screw is on the top board and the rest are on the side board. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Hold the fence gate up to the opening in the fence. Leave enough clearance from the ground. Place the top hinge onto the gate and fence post. The top of the hinge should be slightly lower than the top of the gate. The narrower half of the hinge must be on the fence post.


2. Mark the screw holes in the hinge onto the gate and fence post, using a pencil. Remove the hinge. Lay the gate down on the ground, with the markings facing up.


3. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes through each marking on the back of the gate. Do the same with the markings on the fence post.


4. Lift the gate back into the opening. Place the hinge onto the gate and fence post, lining up the holes in the hinge with the pilot holes you just drilled. Insert a screw partway into each hole.


5. Hold a level against the side of the gate. Move the gate until it is sitting straight in the opening. Finish tightening the screws to hold the hinge in place.


6. Place the bottom hinge on the bottom of the gate and fence post. The bottom of the hinge should be slightly higher than the bottom of the gate. Mark the location of the screw holes onto the gate and fence post.


7. Set the hinge aside. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes through all the markings. Place the hinge back on the gate and fence post. Line up the screw holes with the pilot holes. Insert screws partway through the pilot holes.


8. Level the gate door again so it is sitting straight in the opening. Finish securing the hinge with the screws. Test the gate by opening and closing it a few times.

Tags: fence post, gate fence, gate fence post, hinge should, onto gate, pilot holes, onto gate fence