cutting a hole in colorbond

[mic-d]

I'm organising a fence design for a client who is taken by the look of corro colorbond and deck timber. Not done one of these before. If the gates are clad with colorbond it will call for a hole to be cut in it for access to the latch. Does anyone know how to cut a neat hole in colorbond (preferably circular) and how to make it safe?
Alternatively, if that's too much trouble, I may convince them to clad the gates in timber only.
Thanks for the help

Cheers
Michael

[silentC]

You'd really need to use a nibbler I reckon. Anything else is going to leave sharp edges. It would probably still need to be protected with something. I'd be looking at some kind of two peice wooden collar to sandwich it, made from the same decking. Or make a panel from the decking adjacent to where the lock is and cut your hole in that.

[David L]

I have seen it done by punching a start hole in the centre and useing a curved pair of snips cut in spirals gradually towards the out side.

As for making it safe,? perhaps attach a wooden disk the same size as the hole to the inside?

David

[seriph1]

Our place has a hole cut in the CB to allow access for hands to unlatch the gate..... total pain in the AR5E. the only way to make it safe I reckon is to use a "U" section material and make a frame..... or NEVER NEVER NEVER try and open the gate in a hurry.

[chrisp]

Use a different latch?

[mic-d]

Use a different latch?

thanks to all who responded. Chrisp, do you have a lead in this area?

Cheeers
Michael

[thebuildingsurv]

Cut a square hole and pop-rivet some U shape flashing to the sharp edges

[chrisp]

mic-d,

I haven't any real leads here, I suggest having a look through a hardware shop or visit a locksmith to see what's available. I found locksmiths to be quite helpful.

Some indoor stuff can be used outdoors (depending upon what it is made of) but usually gates can move a bit so you need to check that whatever mechanism you choose can accommodate the movement.

On my (double) gates I have used a Lockwood 355(335?) deadlock as I didn't want to cut an open hole through the gate. It also makes it easy to lock/unlock from either side.

Chris

[olddog]

Hi mic-d, Once you cut the hole use Pintch-weld/welt as used around the doors of cars,go to a moter trimmer and have a look it come in a few sizes and all colours......Peter

[Vernonv]

As for the safety bit, how about using some "pinch weld" (I think thats what it's called). It's used over the seam where two pieces of metal sheet have been joined (like what they have around car door openings - at least on my old HQ anyway).
You could probably get it from engineering supply places, or even a wreckers, if second hand is ok.

Cheers.

Vernon.

[Ashore]

Or a lock/ latch that can be operated from either side

[Tools]

Clark Rubber sell pinch weld in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Tools

[JDub]

Or a lock/ latch that can be operated from either side

Not sure what they are called but the latch that is operated normally from one side but then has an arm that comes through the gap between the gate and the post that you 'lever' up to unlatch the gate.... no holes required

Sorry for the non tech description, hope you can figure out my ramblings

[thebuildingsurv]

or use a door handle

[mungus]

There is a latch available with an external lockable push button, and a lift latch inside. Mounts to the post and no need for hole in the colourbond. They look good and are reasonably secure.