Embedding a gate striker into granite

[cliveb]

I need to sort out my mother-in-law's large front gate. The gate itself is wooden, but the post is granite, with a fairly uneven surface.
There's also a fair amount of vegetation around the post, which means if I try and attach the latch to the post (which would be difficult given the uneven surface anyway), it won't be easily accessible.
So I need to embed the striker into the granite post and mount the latch on the gate.

I'm thinking that an epoxy filler would be best for the job, but would welcome advice from any experts here.
I've heard good things about an epoxy called JB Weld - anyone with experience of that?

 

[GreiginFife]

I need to sort out my mother-in-law's large front gate. The gate itself is wooden, but the post is granite, with a fairly uneven surface.
There's also a fair amount of vegetation around the post, which means if I try and attach the latch to the post (which would be difficult given the uneven surface anyway), it won't be easily accessible.
So I need to embed the striker into the granite post and mount the latch on the gate.

I'm thinking that an epoxy filler would be best for the job, but would welcome advice from any experts here.
I've heard good things about an epoxy called JB Weld - anyone with experience of that?

Yes, I have used JB Weld several times. It’s strong stuff, basically a “chemical metal” that has very high sheer resistance.

It’s ugly stuff though, as in it’s a dark metallic grey colour so might stand out. Also in small, concentrated application it may not withstand the weight and momentum of the gate striking it.

Is there any option to drill holes for proper fixings?

 

[cliveb]

Yes, I have used JB Weld several times. It’s strong stuff, basically a “chemical metal” that has very high sheer resistance.

It’s ugly stuff though, as in it’s a dark metallic grey colour so might stand out. Also in small, concentrated application it may not withstand the weight and momentum of the gate striking it.

Is there any option to drill holes for proper fixings?

Thanks for your suggestions.

I was intending to drill into the granite with an SDS drill to create a hole into which the striker can be embedded.
I wasn't going to just try and glue it onto the surface!

The granite post is uneven so mounting anything that needs a flat surface isn't really an option.
I doubt that I'd be able to create a flat surface with an angle grinder.

 

[greenone]

You can always mask the epoxy with the dust from the drilling.

 

[GreiginFife]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I was intending to drill into the granite with an SDS drill to create a hole into which the striker can be embedded.
I wasn't going to just try and glue it onto the surface!

The granite post is uneven so mounting anything that needs a flat surface isn't really an option.
I doubt that I'd be able to create a flat surface with an angle grinder.

You could use JB Weld like a surface filler and create a flat surface to drill in to and for the striker to sit on. If it's granite then possibly a diamond drill bit is the better option.

 

[jim8flog]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I was intending to drill into the granite with an SDS drill to create a hole into which the striker can be embedded.
.

Worth noting that even with an SDS drill it might require a special drill bit.

 

[Tashyboy]

A photo of intended site May help with suggestions

 

[cliveb]

A photo of intended site May help with suggestions

Not sure how much you'll be able to see, as the post has a lot of vegetation around it, but here's a couple:

The gate is 3"deep, and the granite post is about 9" deep.
The gap between gate and post varies between about 1/2" to 4".

 

[Tashyboy]

What about a bolt latch fixed onto gate and drill a small hole into the granite for the bolt to go into. Or resin a block with a hole in it onto the granite to save drilling.

 

[cliveb]

What about a bolt latch fixed onto gate and drill a small hole into the granite for the bolt to go into. Or resin a block with a hole in it onto the granite to save drilling.

That would be ideal, except that you need to be able to get to the latch from both sides, and the gate is 5ft high. I know my mother-in-law (about 5ft nothing) wouldn't be able to reach over. Even my wife at 5'3" can't easily reach over it.

The original plan was to use an auto-latch and pass a pull cord through the gate so it can be opened from the other side.

I'm beginning to think that perhaps I should fashion some sort of wedge-shaped packing from hardwood that can be screwed into the granite and mount a strike plate on that. Then something like a suffolk latch could be put on the gate - if I can find one long enough to pass through a 3" think gate.

Quite frankly everything seems a bit of a bodge. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.