Wrought iron hinge lineup

I set the hinges closed and put the pin areas inside a piece of angle iron. I can then align the angle square to the frame and tack one side of each hinge to the frame. I am guessing that you will use weld-on hinges? Your laser level would be useful when you finally install on the gate posts. Personally I like to have some sort of adjustment for sag over the years. Even a heavy concrete footing holding the gate post can shift over time. Randy

These two gates will be fairly heavy. I want to use the larger pin and receiver types of hinges because of weight and longevity.

Question:

What method do you use to make sure that the hinges are mounted in a straight line on the frame? Having them just a little bit out of line really screws things up. Any tricks? I have a magnetic laser and thought of using that. I have thought of a string line.

Suggestions?

Steve

Two sets of gates are bubbling up to the top of my list of things to do. In the past year or so I have looked into the exact question you ask. As it turns out, my local welding supplier has a 3-part weld-on hinge designed with this problem in mind.

The hinge is made with a pin section, a socket section and a brass bearing. Both the pin and socket section are machined in a cross section that is like a truncated cone with a circle on top. The result is a straight edge that can be welded on a line.

To use two or three of this type hinge you simply line them up on a straightedge, clamp and then tack weld. If you are doing several gates, you make a template.

I do not know the brand name of these handy little things. They are cheap, but do not seem to be commonly available. Look for a picture at McMaster Carr 1071A36. The description uses the word "triangular", but the idea is "straight edge for welding many in one line".