Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Aug 16, 2003 11:16pm | #1

   If the gate is to be wood, and is to be high-end, then I would at least try do come up with an effective design for wood latches. And maybe even wood hinges.

   If you're interested, perhaps you should get a book about Sam Maloof (major-league woodworker). His house is full of examples of such items, and some of the books show them.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
1. 
   NickNukeEm | Aug 16, 2003 11:24pm | #2

   I'm not sure how wooden hinges would fare in the elements, assuming the gate is exposed to the weather.  I've made wooden hinges before, but that was for furniture.  Exterior hinges would need some serious protection while still allowing movement between the pieces.  I think brass would be a more suitable material for higher end hardware.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

2. 
   KARLSTER | Aug 17, 2003 12:38am | #3

   I got some great looking, seemingly hand forged, very smooth operating gate hardware for a rustic looking wood door I built from my local lumberyard.  You could call them:  San Lorenzo lumber in Santa Cruz 831 426 1020 and ask if they will tell you their supplier.  Just ask for hardware and say it is the rustic looking hand forged stuff they have on a display board on the endcap of the nuts and bolts aisle.  They only have display models and it takes a week or so to order.   It is really beautiful stuff and I think I paid around twenty five dollars for the gate latch.  I couldn't believe the prices.

   Karl

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Aug 17, 2003 06:02pm | #4

   Karl, thanks for the lead.  I'll give them a buzz.

   Steve, I thought of Lee Valley too, but they only have the stamped-sheet-steel variety.

   YesMa'am and NickNuke'em  --- Yes, this gate will be out in the weather, and it will be in front of a house with kids.  That is, it'd better be able to take lots of abuse.

      Jamie

1. 
   KARLSTER | Aug 17, 2003 10:49pm | #9

   Jamie,

   This is my first try at uploading photos so I will hope for the best.  The best part about this hardware is that it was less than thirty dollars. 

    It is all hand forged but I am using the stanley strike plate from the first set of hdwe I originally installed. 

   My gate is so thick (2") I had to mortise the thumblever assy into the wood to have adequate length on the lever.

   There is an entire line of this hdwe including strap hinges, handles, etc that all wood look right at home on a medieval castle or turn of the century log cabin.

   I think it comes from india.

   Karl

   
1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Aug 17, 2003 11:02pm | #10

   Karl --

     Thanks for taking the trouble to take and post the pix.  

          Jamie

2. 
   NickNukeEm | Aug 17, 2003 09:20pm | #5

   Karl, this may or may not be an acceptable question on this forum, and feel free to not respond, but do you live in the Santa Cruz area, or just ordered the hardware by phone?

   I ask because I went to San Lorenzo Valley HS from '69 to '72, so Felton/Santa Cruz are old stomping grounds for me, though when I left for the service in '72, I never went back. 

   I did a double take at the name San Lorenzo and just thought I'd ask.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

1. 
   KARLSTER | Aug 17, 2003 10:08pm | #7

   Hi Nick, I was born and raised in the Santa Cruz Mtns.  Skyline Blvd, Deer Creek Road, Summit Road and most recently downtown Santa Cruz.  I was only 4 yrs old in 69 so you are a bit ahead of me.

   I spent some time in the San Lorenzo Valley.  I went to Camp Campbell with Indian Guides and then for 6th grade camp.  My stepmom lived in Forest Springs on Hwy 236 just out of Boulder Creek.

   You would be stunned at how it has changed.  The earthquake of 89 led to a lot of old business closing/moving and a lot of rebuilding funky old houses into more contemporary modern homes.  The boom in the silicon valley led to skyrocketing real estate prices even over on this side of the hill and this consequently altered demographics in a big way.

   It still has a great climate, lots of musicians and artists, etc but not the same place as it was in the 1970's.

   San Lorenzo Lumber has taken over what used to be Santa Cruz lumber on River St.  The is where I got the gate hdwe.

   Karl

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Aug 17, 2003 10:47pm | #8

   It's great to hear about the place.  I only lived there for 3 years, but I tell my kids it's where I grew up.  My younger brother is buried in Felton.  I haven't been by in over 20 years, although another brother goes up there from LA every 5-10 years just to say hello to friends that are still around.

   I loved that place; the redwoods, Henry Cowell State park, even that railroad.  Learned to surf at Steamer's Lane in '70 on a balsa wood surf board 10' long.  Unsinkable Molley Brown we called her.  There was an Italian Restaurant on River street (I think) that I took my very first date to, but I heard it burned down a few years later while I was deployed.  Then again, the girl left me about the same time.

   We lived in a mountain development called Forest Lakes a few miles between Felton and SC.  A stream fed watering hole was the Lake in the forest. 

   I worked at (then) Smithwoods Resort in summer of '70, demo'ing cabins, cleaning out septic lines for trailers.  The guy was clearing land for a trailer park, including some redwoods.  One tree had a burl on it 3' in diameter.  He offered me a slab, and my parents carted it around for ten years and myself another 10 before I made a table out of it.  Now it sits in my sunroom, a 1" thick redwood coffee table, reminding me of the days of my youth.

   Thanks for the ear, summer brings days of sun, and some regrets.  But the beach was always nice...

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

3. 
   jc21 | Aug 17, 2003 09:57pm | #6

   Maybe a local blacksmith? I've seen some work done locally in copper and iron and it looked good. Might be worth looking into.