Turnbuckle System for Small Dog Gate

[Paul Jones]

We have two Miniature Schnauzers who love to greet whoever rings the front door bell. However, most of the time we would like to keep them down the side hallway and away from the front door. I installed an open rail gate in the hallway (see http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/h...dog-gate-37959 ).
I recently added a homemade turnbuckle for additional support to the 58” X 22” gate. The turnbuckle system is made from 0.125” dia. 316 stainless steel rod and C360 brass rod.



The knurled turnbuckle is approx. 3/8” x 2” and threaded with right hand and left hand 6-32 internal threads for adjusting the rod tension. I normally do a much better job when knurling steel parts but not so with this brass knurling. I don’t have but could use flood coolant or spray misting system to carry the fine brass dust away so it does clog the knurling.



The turnbuckle rods with 6-32 threads are threaded into swivel caps. The swivel caps are attached with 8-32 hex cap head screws to ½” dia. X 1.5” brass rods and these are attached with #6 x 1” wood screws to the gate frame. The brass caps allow the 0.125” dia. stainless steel rods to adjust to the correct angle while the turnbuckle is tightened.





Below are photos of making the turnbuckle, connecting rods, and swivel cap connctors.



Thank you for looking,

Paul Jones