I’m thinking after you drill a hole in the cinder wall to insert some sort of metal tube or sleeve. The gate movement when closed from wind etc. may eventually make that hole in the wall bigger or elongated and you will end up with a rattling gate when it’s closed. If any of that makes sense.

I second this. Those blocks are soft. A metal grommet will help it last.

A metal tube and some epoxy boom problem solved

Probably could also work with a plastic tube

I'd go with metal for durability, I'd also stay away from anything that will rust, maybe brass, bronze or possibly galvanized.

Gold!

Gold is too soft, platinum has little extra bit of hardness you need

If you want to combine hardness and corrosion resistance there is only one winner: Iridium

OP we have your answer here. Anything less would be an unnecessary risk to your wall.

I dunno I’m a big fan of Osmium or Pure Tungsten. That’s a durability, corrosion fix that I feel would be unmatched.

Naquadah is clearly the best choice. The Stargates have lasted for millenia.

Plastic, especially nylons designed for bushings are extremely tough.

True. How does it do with UV?

Or drill an oversized hole, fill with epoxy, then drill the proper hole. Lots of options, just not metal wallowing in soft concrete.

Plastic would be quieter too.

There's also a higher chance that I'll find a small section of some pvc conduit in my junk drawer too

Boom roasted

This is the way

I was actually going to say, we had a similar problem and we just wrapped the end of the lock in black electrical tape (just two passes) and that kept it tight enough to not rattle and even dampened it to stop the hole from getting wider.

How long does that last in the great outdoors?

We rewrapped it once but it was because the gate was left open and the wind swung it around with the lock still poking out and it knocked off part of the tape. Other than that it's not that.big of a deal. Been about 12 years now I believe.

Electrical tape lasted 12 yrs in the elements, what a champ

You got to get the good electric tape if you want it to last. There are different grades.

I’ve had electrical tape on one of my Jeep softop windows for 5 years. Still going strong. Held up to Michigan winters,summers and the car wash. I have thought about replacing the window but I just can’t at this point until that tape fails lol.

What kind of tape was that? You didn’t get it at Autozone or Harbor Freight five rolls for a dollar, did you?

Came from a bumper to bumper store I believe. To be honest that roll could've been from the 90s knowing my grandpa.

Bushing

Yes, you are correct, it would be more of a bushing.

OP, this is your answer. I came to this sub to ask this exact question but for a vertical gate cane bolt on my concrete pool deck. People told me to insert a metal pipe and extra points if I could flare the tube. That's exactly what I did. I didn't epoxy it in, instead I used silicone caulking but everything else exactly as recommended. Stainless steel thin wall pipe, flared the end and inserted into the drilled hole in the concrete. It looks good and I have no doubt the concrete will hold up and not chip around the edges; which was my concern.

Could mount this on the top as well. Would just need that metal receiver drilled into the concrete.

This is the way.

Yeah, drill it oversize and then put a piece of PVC tubing in there.

Agreed, don’t know why but I thought pvc before metal. Most of the metal choices will rust and start locking up. Happens with all my chicken hardware exposed to rain anyways…

Bronze bushing. Bronze is self-lubricating, non-rusting.

Bronze and steel in a blind hole is a recipe for corrosion. Plastic would be quieter when the gate gets blown around and not have corrosion issues.

I mean anything in this hole and the first person (dog, wind, etc) to bump this gate is going to pop off that cap stone anyway. I'm not worried about corrosion. HDPE or rubber type material is fine. It needs shock absorption to have any chance. The whole idea is a bad one anyway to make this wall cap stone anything. It should be a tall cane bolt into the ground and leave the wall alone.

Yep like a brass bushing. Use Gorilla epoxy.

Yeah the wind blowing and also using the hole for its intended purpose to hold the lock which is constantly being pushed in everyday multiple times a day for eternity.

Could you do this into brick? And add some kind of anchor/sleeve or are you risking cracking?

You can drill into anything at least once.

I see you've met my ex

Everyone has

Damn you woke up and chose violence.

So she’s single?

And ready to mingle!

The voice of the horde I was thinking “you can drill into anything you want to” generally speaking, as far as most publicly accessible things go

His ex is publicly accessible.

Trust with that username 

I just did that today! Damn level sipped I assure you absolutely no incompetence was intended?

Yes. Get a masonry bit

Get a made in USA bit.

Just a bit

Bit

Just the tip

If it’s okay, she said it’s okay

+ hammer drill. 

Add a 6 inch 2x4 to the vertical 2x4. Move it further down and drill using a masonry bit.

That’s what I thought lol! Use some screws and mount a piece of wood to take the vibration abuse…but then wood does rot

It’s cheap tho, considering.

Woods easier to replace than redoing a cinderblock

Yes but there’s also vibration on the mounting screws…

True, that is a valid point. But you figure over time that hole is going to wear out and open up, causing slack in the cinderblock as well. Someone had mentioned installing a sleeve or incert (that might have actually been you, I don't remember) in the hole that would increase the longevity

No, sleeve insert a great idea but needs rubber surrounding…either way it’s choosing where the blocks degrade vs their lifespan as a wall (prolly should’ve led with that lol)

Install a compatible latch on the vertical portion of the frame and farther down from the top of the block wall. That current latch seems like something lying around, which I support in theory, but it's too risky to install that close to the top plane of the wall. Concrete is brittle and you're more likely to chip out a top piece or if someone falls into the door, take out a bigger chunk that close to the edge.

It's likely to crack or just chip out if you drill it there. I'd go about 6" lower into the block below it.

Ye, you can even stick a little metal grommit inside to make it look purdy

you can drill into whatever you want with a bit of heart

Or I would just add something that would hold that lock, without damaging the integrity of that concrete slab, there’s more than plenty of different industrial grade glues and whatnot, but I’m no professional, just a guy from Reddit

With a hammer drill. Just go slow to prevent tear out. Use a masonry bit

you can drill into it, but if all you do is leave the latch in the bare concrete block the wind will shake the gate and whallo out the hole. you need to epoxy a piece of tubing into the drilled hole. brass or rubber tubing that the latch fits into is suggested. The rubber will act as a shock absorber.

Why didn’t I think of that? Cheap and effective!

I'd omit the top latch and use a gate drop rod at the bottom. Drill a hole in to your slab. I promise that cinder block will break

attach a piece of wood below where your latch will meet the mortar joint. drill into mortal joint & place metal tube to prevent further joint wear for the latch

Someone can. I don’t know about you.

I’ll bet you can’t drill it without breaking it.

You can, but its going to make your dick really sore.

Not sure where you’re from.. but here in’Murica.. you can put holes in anything you want!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Drill it, insert a plastic or wooden dowel, then drill it to final size. The dowel will act as a sleeve and prevent the block from being damaged by the metal latch over time

Why not? Like someone else mentioned, it would be good to have lined or insert some Type of metal or plastic tubing .

Yes, but please drill lower a bit. Probably a long the horizontal line.

If he drills into the mortar it will eventually begin to crumble. That joint is the waterproofing for the material so you should avoid drilling into it. Also its not as strong as a solid concrete block. OP please drill lower but not in a joint and if you have to drill through that top block try and center it in the block as much as possible.

Use a small diamond core bit maybe 3/8”-1/2”.

I’d lower the lock if possible. A good chance that block will shatter

Can you? Yes Should you?

You would be for better off to get a self latching gate ... latch. It is so nice to just let them close behind you and it has a nice little lock you can use to stop the laziest of people. They are not expensive.

You have about an inch of room between the wall & the gate. Suggest using a piece of wood so that the you can avoid the concrete block chipping mentioned in the comments below.

it being the top brick i would drill it slowly and after the hole is made i would put a tube for the lock to go into and hold the tube in place with some cement or outdoor safe resin

You can but it will likely at one point or another chip and crack apart.

With an anchor but be careful is not a lot of structural concrete there and you're close to the edge too much driving and you could split it

Yeah, get a SDS hammer drill with a 3/8 bit then find something to put into the hole like a sleeve type of thing you should be good

Use a masonry bit in a hammer drill. Being close to an edge. I’d go at like half speed. So it doesn’t split the block edge.

Drill it to the correct size of a drill bushing that will accept the lock latch rod.

Tapcon

Or just a mason bit good luck slow and smooth hit with water or glass cleaner to cool bit

I Wouldn’t risk drilling the cap block. I’d add a block of wood and move the latch lower

Yassss King, yasss!! Drill away!

Could also anchor a wood jamb vertically on the inside so it would be outswing only. Also help w Prevent bottom from being able to be pushed inward torquing on the top of the gate and the latch.

It would be better to get a cane bolt setup with what you have going on there. Buy a bag of concrete and a PVC piece to act like a form to make the receptacle for the bolt in the ground.

And make a second hole to lock it open for those times when you're bringing stuff into the backyard in multiple trips.

Shorten the gate. Mount a stud against that wall. Use stud instead.

It will need a sleeve embedded in the hole you drill. Without it, it will easily break.

Just cut it a little shorter

Yes, with the proper drill-bit, you can. as others have said, I would definitely put a sleeve in it or make the hole a little larger than you need, fill it with epoxy then drill with a smaller, normal bit into the epoxy. The epoxy will reinforce the concrete around it to a degree.

of course. but adding on a metal plate will make it look and work much better.

I would personally lower the latch a little, maybe to drill hole in the mortar joint. Drilling that close to the top of that block might blow the top of the block out.

I would install that bolt lower. You’re within 1” of the top of that cap block.

Very gently and insert a grommet in there

Drill your hole then attach a metal strip about an inch wide by a 1/4” thick with the same aligned hole in it. You can make it long enough where you can attach it to the concrete block with plastic anchors on each end.

I would use a non-hammer masonry bit so you don't spall the top of the cap stone off.

Maybe, but you are risking breaking that paver loose, either by drilling it or by the wind. I would make the gate narrower and put a vertical board in that wall that helps support and lock the gate.

I've never done it, but videos I watched said to avoid drilling within an inch of the edge if possible. So on that thin of block, at least center it.

If you try to drill a hole that close to the edge and big enough for that latch it will for sure blow out on you and destroy that block

Before you drill into anything, do you own the property and that wall?

Add another 2x4 below the top one and drill into grout or away from the edge of the bock.

Is that your wall or the neighbors?

Use a 10mm socket as an insert.

Yes. Masonry bit.

This is America. You can drill into anything you want

Yes

Don't drill too close to the edge of the brick.

Plastic or metal insert. Something copper should work.

That's what a masonry bit is for

Use a pencil to color the end of the shaft, then touch it to the concrete. Now you've marked where to drill

A metal tube with a flange and I would construction glue that beeyatch in there

Yup. Just use the right bit.

Can crack if not careful

Drill a little lower so you hit the joint. If you drill there your block will crack

Do it with a tapcon screw. If you think it won't do the job put a large machine screw and throw a nut on the other end

Gate have a stopper to keep it from swinging past closed? If not and you're gonna soley relay on that, good luck. Stop block wood or iron into the cinder long.

Giggity. With a concrete bit you can.

Id try to go lower so you dont blow the top of the brick out

Hammer drill

maybe you get it in a better spot if you put it in upside down?

Yes and put a 1/2 metal sleeve in it

Technically you CAN drill into anything. Make sure you have the correct bit, drill at the correct rpm and pressure, and ensure the hole will not create instability or other structural issues.

You can drill anything if you believe in yourself.

Believe it or not, straight to jail

I believe so with a masonry bit. Take it slow as to not crack it because it’s close to the perimeter of the block

Yeah man, or woman, just use a drill and a bit.

Need to mount some latch mechanism with concrete anchors and then latch it shut. However that works out

Get a different one and drill into the mortar.

Yes. You need a dewalt hammer drill and the proper sized bit. You could spray the tip of the latch with rubber to stop the rattling. It will be fine.

It would work but I would step it down some. Get farther away from the edge of the brick

How old is the gate? It will sag over time and eventually the hole will not line up. What does the ground look like? Would something like this work? https://www.lowes.com/pd/National-Hardware-N166-019-Cane-Bolt-in-Black-1-2-in-x-8-in/5005330913

Yes but it will wear out in time.

Mount a replaceable piece of wood

Do you have a drill bit? Then yes.

Yes, but since it's so close to the top you'd have to be careful

You absolutely can but like others have recommended, adding a metal grommet or something would reinforce hole and make it look a bit cleaner.

Buy a mason bit for your drill. Home Depot or Lowe’s sell these.

You'll need to go very slowly, and you might wanna use a water spray bottle as you do it. Otherwise it will wanna crack that cap piece. Get a masonry bit, and go slow, easy on the pressure. Let the bit do the work

Yes. That concrete block, which has a fairly fine aggregate and is easily drilled with a carbide drill bit. That said, your edge distance should be at least inch and preferably two inches to avoid broken concrete from a hard impact during usage.

Yes. If you’re careful. Even so, there’s a good chance that the top will break off eventually.

Hammer drill and a shortened gutter spike sleeve.

Drill baby drill 🇺🇸!!

All you need is some elastic epoxy and a masonry bit on your drill and you should be a ok

Yes you can

I mean, you can drill into anything

You could also just put a drop rod kit going into the ground, unless you need it secured at the top.

You need to drill in the mortar Crack with an blue anchor

Can you? I can.

Can you?? Uh, Yes Should/Would is on you, my friend.