How to weld hinges on a wicket or a canopy gate: a welder's life hack (quickly and the first time)

It would seem a simple matter - to weld the hinges on the gate or wicket. But when you get down to business, you are faced with minor problems that slow down the whole process. If not done carefully, distortions, sagging, jamming of the shutters may occur.

It is recommended to use hinges for swing gates with bearings (cylinders with bearings that can withstand a weight of up to 400 kg.). If you want the gate and wicket to open easily and smoothly, weld 3 hinges each. But most often they save and weld only 2 pieces. This is correct if the length of the gate is up to 3 m.

If the hinges are straight or cylindrical, then it is convenient to weld them on the ground, in a horizontal position. There are no particular difficulties here.

Problems arise when you want to weld hinges to a canopy. Most often they are welded to a profile pipe. At the beginning, you need to set the frame in height. Use metal plates, a profile pipe or boards to put under the bottom of the gate.

Now it is important to make gaps between the post and the gate, so as not to weld the hinges closely. Make gaps from 2-6 mm. It all depends on the location of the second pillar, on the contrary.

For setting gaps, whatever is at hand will do. Even the old cut-off wheels. Place a cut-off wheel or metal plate between the posts and the gate for the gap and clamp with a clamp.

We make markings where the welding will be. For example, mark 25 cm at the top and bottom. To reinforce the weld, it is important to use a metal plate (approx. 3-4 mm thick).

Experts first recommend welding the plates to the post and gate, and then welding the hinges themselves.

Some will say that the hinges could have been welded to the plates beforehand. But in this case, it is more difficult to find a common axis between the two hinges and it will be more difficult to weld. It is much easier to weld the plates first and then the hinges.

It is necessary first to grab 2 points each plate by welding and then a loop for 2-3 points. Do it from the top and bottom.

Before welding the hinges, you can sharpen the hinges at an angle. This will make the hinge fit well. But even without this, you can weld the loops exactly.

Now we need to remove the plates that were exposed under the gap and see how the gate opens and closes. If everything is fine, then again we insert all the plates under the bottom and under the gap. It remains only to finally weld the loops.

We do this: First we weld the plates on 3 sides, and then the loop. Do the welding with a break so as not to burn the pipe.

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