Several people have commented that I’m supposed to be on vacation, I should be relaxing, enjoying quality family time, etc.  Well, I just returned from 10 HOURS at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia and I am SO TIRED.  But I know I won’t be able to sleep if I don’t post something for you to look at with your morning coffee tomorrow.

This post should probably be called “Gates of Busch Gardens” because there aren’t a whole lot of doors there, at least not that visitors can see.  Gate hardware is tough.  There’s never enough gate to hold the hardware, and there’s usually no frame head to mount a closer too.  Not to mention that most gates are exposed to the elements, and a fair number of them require panic hardware.  When I need a panic device on an exterior gate I usually use the Von Duprin 55 or 88 series because they won’t rust and there’s no place for water to collect.  It’s not a real high-security application but it’s usually enough to keep the honest people out.  For gates that require access control I usually use the Schlage Electronics 390G+ gate lock.  LCN makes some special templates for gate closers, and you can use special rust inhibitor (SRI) to help prevent corrosion.

Here are some pictures from today (you can hover your cursor above the picture before clicking to see my comments):

This Locknetics mag-lock was used on a gate, but is not a gate lock (390G+). Most gates had these miniature mortise lock bodies which the attendants unlocked with a tool that engaged the spindle. Most gates had these miniature mortise lock bodies and the attendants had a tool to engage the spindle. A spring-loaded cremone bolt. Gate slammer. You can see that the original hinges have been replaced with half-surface hinges.

Vestibule doors at the giant Oktoberfest hall, hung on floor closers and offset pivots. A naked closer (on the wrong side of the door again). Have you seen the new snap-on covers? They're great! They mortised the trim out for the closer shoe (they could have just mounted the closer inside the bathroom). This arched door is on the Clydesdales' barn... ...in many locations you can see examples of trial and error, replacing products that didn't work like this kick-down stop.

One of the doors to the wolf show stage with a gigantic spring as a closer. I've GOT to teach this kid to read. She's telling me that she's tall enough to ride the ride because she can reach the minimum height sign.

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