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Step 5Bolt the Bracers to the Gate (possibly optional)
This step is possibly optional, but I take no chances!
After lining up the bracers and placing them in the gate, mark which is the top and which is the bottom.
Set the gate aside, and dig out your copper pipe retainer bracket things. If I ever remember what they're really called, I'll fix this instructable up.
Using your needlenose pliers and regular pliers, straighten the tabs so the bracket is U-shaped, not speed-bump-shaped. This takes some practice, and I wish I had a video of this so you don't have to destroy as many of these as I did getting it right, but it's mostly trial and error. Grab the flat tab as close to the bend as you can with the regular plier, then work the needlenose in as close as you can get it to the regular pliers' nose on the other side of the bend. Straighten the bend slightly, then move the needlenose closer to the regular plier. Repeat until straightened.
Because the brackets I got were only 1/2" I had to widen the large curve slightly to fit around the 1" end of the 1x2 (which is really only 3/4"). I could probably have made this look nicer -- instead of straigtening the 90-degree bends, I could have added another 1/8" past the existing ones, so the 1/2" curve bend fit snug to the pipes and then the bracket itself would fit snug to the board. Ah, well.
Test-fit the now U-brackets to the ends of your bracers, and mark the holes for drilling. Try to get the brackets in as close as possible, they should be tight when they're finally attached. And, mark your holes carefully. The U-bracket holes should align on exact opposite sides of the board.
Once that's done, take the boards out, and clamp them down. Drill at the marks holes large enough to accomodate the bolts you got. The bolts themselves should fit thru the holes in the U-brackets, so the hole you drill should be about the same size.
When you're done drilling, re-assemble the hole in the gate, and bolt the U-brackets onto the ends of the boards around the bars, and tighten down. The Hole is now COMPLETE!
Move along...
After lining up the bracers and placing them in the gate, mark which is the top and which is the bottom.
Set the gate aside, and dig out your copper pipe retainer bracket things. If I ever remember what they're really called, I'll fix this instructable up.
Using your needlenose pliers and regular pliers, straighten the tabs so the bracket is U-shaped, not speed-bump-shaped. This takes some practice, and I wish I had a video of this so you don't have to destroy as many of these as I did getting it right, but it's mostly trial and error. Grab the flat tab as close to the bend as you can with the regular plier, then work the needlenose in as close as you can get it to the regular pliers' nose on the other side of the bend. Straighten the bend slightly, then move the needlenose closer to the regular plier. Repeat until straightened.
Because the brackets I got were only 1/2" I had to widen the large curve slightly to fit around the 1" end of the 1x2 (which is really only 3/4"). I could probably have made this look nicer -- instead of straigtening the 90-degree bends, I could have added another 1/8" past the existing ones, so the 1/2" curve bend fit snug to the pipes and then the bracket itself would fit snug to the board. Ah, well.
Test-fit the now U-brackets to the ends of your bracers, and mark the holes for drilling. Try to get the brackets in as close as possible, they should be tight when they're finally attached. And, mark your holes carefully. The U-bracket holes should align on exact opposite sides of the board.
Once that's done, take the boards out, and clamp them down. Drill at the marks holes large enough to accomodate the bolts you got. The bolts themselves should fit thru the holes in the U-brackets, so the hole you drill should be about the same size.
When you're done drilling, re-assemble the hole in the gate, and bolt the U-brackets onto the ends of the boards around the bars, and tighten down. The Hole is now COMPLETE!
Move along...
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