Gate Latch Hook

thingiverse

The soil on my property features high clay content, resulting in significant soil movement between extreme dryness and wet conditions - up to 2". This leads to frequent adjustments of the latch on my fence gate, which often requires tweaking twice a week. To avoid constant manual adjustments, I devised a solution that would provide easy fine-tuning. The project necessitates a few tools beyond a 3D printer, including a screw with high strength and accuracy. For optimal results, use stainless steel or brass for the screw to prevent rusting. A lathe can be used to create a custom brass screw, but a suitable one may also be sourced from a reliable hardware store. The latch hook should be printed with 100% fill and then tapped to secure it properly. Printed threads often lack strength and precision on most printers. A press fit of the screw into the thumb wheel is recommended, ensuring a secure connection. The model features a smaller hole than necessary, allowing for customization to suit your specific needs. Other options for securing the latch include a set screw or roll pin. A standard latch hook typically has a 45% slope, but I discovered that a 30% slope works significantly better, especially with plastic components, and this design incorporates that modification.