Hack your baby-gate for narrow doorways

Step 6: Conclusions

At the end of the project, you should have been able to take 4-1/4" off of the gate.  It is possible to reduce the gate by another half-inch or so by trimming reinforcement off the fat end of the lower linear ratcheting support.  But then you risk undermining the compressive strength of the gate.  I wouldn't recommend it, but the alternative is available.

UPDATE: At the narrowest settings, the gate does not fine-tune very well. You may find that the gate locks-out too small and pushes over too easily, while the next notch up makes it lock-out too big and cannot fit at all. If you want to make the gate extra snug, resist the temptation to use the larger setting and over-stress the ratchet. The aluminum screw posts are not as strong as the original steel rivets, and I have broken two already. Instead consider using a rubber garden hose washer as a shim and attach it with double-side tape.

That said, any time you mess with baby products, you may reduce their quality or effectiveness. Before you lay your baby's fortunes in your handiwork, your best option is to ask your spouse or significant other. If they don't think it looks safe, than it probably isn't.