Like a lot of parents, our house if FULL of baby gates. We have one in practically every doorway, hallway and entrance. One of the things that my wife and I found out early is that baby gates are EXPENSIVE if you want quality (around $75 to $100 per gate). When you add to the fact that you need 4-10 of these things, the costs can be enormous. We purchased a few of the ¼” wooden varieties only to have my 3 year old stand on it and bust it to shards.
Since I had built my Toddler Bed Guard out of PVC, I chose to do something similar for a baby gate. This would also apply nicely to someone who needs a pet gate.
This particular model is pretty simple and uses just PVC components to work. There are two ‘Slip Tees’ in the structure that allow the gate to slide vertically, just slightly so that you can lift it up and over the ‘Table Caps’ that it will snap into. Once over the Table Caps, just press down and it is as secure as can be.
Now, before you child-safety advocates turn on me, here are a few notes about this design:
I plan on augmenting this Instructable to make a baby-corral out of the same thing, but making legs that jut out from each side for stability. Look for that one soon.
Since I had built my Toddler Bed Guard out of PVC, I chose to do something similar for a baby gate. This would also apply nicely to someone who needs a pet gate.
This particular model is pretty simple and uses just PVC components to work. There are two ‘Slip Tees’ in the structure that allow the gate to slide vertically, just slightly so that you can lift it up and over the ‘Table Caps’ that it will snap into. Once over the Table Caps, just press down and it is as secure as can be.
Now, before you child-safety advocates turn on me, here are a few notes about this design:
- It’s made from furniture grade PVC and fittings, obtained from formufit.com, which is non-toxic, contains no dioxins (the nasty stuff they make plumbing PVC with), and is impact and UV-degrade proof (it won’t break down in sunlight).
- The slats are all 2-3/4” apart, which is BELOW the required 3” of distance between slates.
- It is extremely strong. I can put my entire weight on it (215 lb. male) closed and it will not budge.
- All corners and edges are rounded, so no snagging.
- There are no pinching mechanisms in the gate once closed.
- Finally, this is MY choice to make this for me and my family. If you detest such a project, dont make it.
I plan on augmenting this Instructable to make a baby-corral out of the same thing, but making legs that jut out from each side for stability. Look for that one soon.
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Parts
As I mentioned in the introduction, I used furniture grade PVC and fittings. First its safe (non-toxic) as it’s made from the same type of PVC used in kids toys, and second, it just looks much better. I built the prototype out of plumbing grade PVC and it looked ghastly. Bonus also is that furniture grade PVC parts have a few more ‘clever’ components to make it easier, such as the Slip Tees and Table Caps.
I ordered all my parts from Formufit (www.formufit.com) as they are the least expensive and have the best selection of parts.
Here are the parts I ordered:
Normally I would have used a Miter Saw to make all of the cuts, but I chose to use a hacksaw, as it was just as fast (a little de-burring was needed). I did need a ¼” drill bit to make holes for the ‘hitch pins’. Everything else is screwing, so just a power drill a couple of drill bits and a
As I mentioned in the introduction, I used furniture grade PVC and fittings. First its safe (non-toxic) as it’s made from the same type of PVC used in kids toys, and second, it just looks much better. I built the prototype out of plumbing grade PVC and it looked ghastly. Bonus also is that furniture grade PVC parts have a few more ‘clever’ components to make it easier, such as the Slip Tees and Table Caps.
I ordered all my parts from Formufit (www.formufit.com) as they are the least expensive and have the best selection of parts.
Here are the parts I ordered:
- 12 x 1-1/4” PVC Tees
- 2 x 1-1/4” PVC 90 Degree Elbows
- 2 x 1-1/4” PVC Slip Tees
- 2 x 1-1/4” PVC Fitting Caster Inserts
- 4 x 1-1/4” Table Caps
- 2 x 1-1/4” Internal Domed End Caps
- 3 x 1-1/4” 5’ Furniture Grade PVC Pipe
I also had some spare 1-1/4” Plumbing Grade Pipe to make the connecting inserts, which are not exposed. Fairly inexpensive, a 10’ section will run you $3.00 at Home Depot or Lowes. They will cut it down for you if you need.
Hardware
You will need the following hardware to secure everything together:
- 2 x 1/4” x 2.5” or 3” long Hitch Pins (Ace Hardware)
- 1 bag 3/4” Wood Screws (Full Thread)
- 1 can of PVC Cement
Normally I would have used a Miter Saw to make all of the cuts, but I chose to use a hacksaw, as it was just as fast (a little de-burring was needed). I did need a ¼” drill bit to make holes for the ‘hitch pins’. Everything else is screwing, so just a power drill a couple of drill bits and a
- Phillips bit should get you through this.
- Power Drill or Power Screwdriver
- Philips Head Bit
- Hacksaw
- Measuring Tape
- 3/22” drill bit
- 1/4” drill bit
- Countersink Bit
- Knife or Deburring Tool
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Sorry for the newbie question but I want to build this for my dog this weekend
1. I am considering building this to span a 60" arch in our apartment. Do you think it will be wobbly at that length?
2. Since I would be doubling the number of 3" pieces and am lazy, do you think I could use slip-tees across the top and bottom? The screws would keep them from sliding left-right.
Thanks!
Lesson: Don't burn PVC or sheep.
One question about the lift catches -- it seems to me that those are theoretically pinch-points. Is the weight of the door (or the friction at the hinge fittings) sufficient that your toddler can't lift it?
In the intro, we can still see the left over attachments for whatever cheap-a** over-priced gate you had there before :-)
One of the gates that we had in place prior to my 'implementation' had the same setup: a bar came out from the gate and set into an indentation in a wall fixture, and then had a little plastic bit that hovered over it, so this solution is already being used by gate manufactuerers. At least thats my excuse.
The gate is heavy enough for a toddler to not be able to lift, and the PVC securely snaps into the table caps, loud enought to make a snap. If I had used 1" PVC, it would be lighter, perhaps light enough for a toddler to lift, thats one of the benefits of the heavier 1-1/4" PVC.