Cannonballs for closers

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By Sean Michael Ragan
Posted 2009/09/20 @ 7:24 pm
Category Electronics

I am pleased to announce that I have been nominated to receive this year’s Most Ridiculous David Mamet Allusion award. Also: I dig the no-BS approach of this traditional weighted gate closer from Snug Cottage Hardware. No springs, no strings, no pulleys. A pretty easy remake, too, if you can find a cannonball.

BY Sean Michael Ragan

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I write for MAKE, serve as Technical Editor for MAKE magazine, and develop original DIY content for Make: Projects.

In the Maker Shed

8 Responses to Cannonballs for closers

Rajio on September 20th, 2009 at 7:56 pm said:

It looks like a great way to ensure that your gate will slam noisily every time its opened. Theres got to be some kind of cushioning or padding or both your gate and your ears will take a lot of punishment.

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bem on September 20th, 2009 at 8:53 pm said:

They do this all the time in Colonial Williamsburg. Some gates close noisily, but none harder than your standard spring screen door.

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- Jay on September 21st, 2009 at 3:04 pm said:
  
  I was just going to say the Colonial Williamsburg bit. I am sure they sell them there too, and I’m sure they are not $82. My wife says “maybe $15 or $20, and I can’t remember specifically… so that sounds about right. Maybe $22 sounds just right.
  
  Includes chain and ball, already welded together.
  
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St.Eligius on September 20th, 2009 at 10:28 pm said:

$82? A bit much I think.

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- Sean Michael Ragan on September 20th, 2009 at 10:39 pm said:
  
  I agree. It’s the idea I’m about, not so much the particular product.
  
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  St.Eligius on September 21st, 2009 at 12:54 am said:
  
  Thanks for that observation.
  
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Anhizer on September 20th, 2009 at 11:25 pm said:

Looks like a standard fishing cannonball weight used for ocean fishing…. most decent tackle shops should have them

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Alex Smith on September 21st, 2009 at 2:30 am said:

Using the same principle, a rock is cheaper, freely available (here in the Lake District in England) and only requires a hammer drill and an expanding bolt to achieve the same thing.

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