Sr

Steve

02/05/2008 1:09 AM

How to build a garden gate?

I have another client who needs a replacement garden gate. The old one is
just worn out and sagging. I'm looking for tricks of the trade to speed up
the construction and make a more accurate gate.

Here's the old process:
* Measure.
* Cut three horizontal rails and lay them out on the ground.
* Align the vertical pickets on top of the rails.
* Fiddle around until everything is square (or skewed for a gate over
sloping ground). This step takes forever, and it's a royal pain if the
gate isn't supposed to be square.
* Nail on the pickets.
* Hang the gate.
* Shift the non-hinge end up and down to align the gate with the fence.
* Cut two diagonal braces and attach them to the rails.
* Nail the pickets to the diagonals.
* Attach the latch.
* Cut a strip to cover the latch-side gap.

I've done some internet searches for a better process, but I can't find
anything with details, just hand-waving explanations, and _none_ that
approach it from a production point of view. Everything is aimed at a DIY
guy who has a whole weekend.

So what say you? Who has the best process for building a garden gate?
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement


This topic has 3 replies

Sr

Steve

in reply to Steve on 02/05/2008 1:09 AM

02/05/2008 1:23 PM

"Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> I have another client who needs a replacement garden gate. The old
>> one is just worn out and sagging. I'm looking for tricks of the
>> trade to speed up the construction and make a more accurate gate.
>
> http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=59514&cat=1,44047
>
> $4.50
> Can't beat that.

Thanks for the recommendation. In case the book has plans but no
procedures, what do you recommend?
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement

Sb

"SonomaProducts.com"

in reply to Steve on 02/05/2008 1:09 AM

02/05/2008 9:58 AM

I personally meausure and build a strong frame with cross bracing,
etc. Then hang it and get it working well. Then I apply the pickets in
place so I can line them up with a guide string or follow the ground
or whatever. The frame should be square unless some severe situation
exists.

On May 1, 6:09=A0pm, Steve <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have another client who needs a replacement garden gate. The old one is
> just worn out and sagging. I'm looking for tricks of the trade to speed up=

> the construction and make a more accurate gate.
>
> Here's the old process:
> * Measure.
> * Cut three horizontal rails and lay them out on the ground.
> * Align the vertical pickets on top of the rails.
> * Fiddle around until everything is square (or skewed for a gate over
> sloping ground). This step takes forever, and it's a royal pain if the
> gate isn't supposed to be square.
> * Nail on the pickets.
> * Hang the gate.
> * Shift the non-hinge end up and down to align the gate with the fence.
> * Cut two diagonal braces and attach them to the rails.
> * Nail the pickets to the diagonals.
> * Attach the latch.
> * Cut a strip to cover the latch-side gap.
>
> I've done some internet searches for a better process, but I can't find
> anything with details, just hand-waving explanations, and _none_ that
> approach it from a production point of view. Everything is aimed at a DIY
> guy who has a whole weekend.
>
> So what say you? Who has the best process for building a garden gate?
> --
> Steve B.
> New Life Home Improvement

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to Steve on 02/05/2008 1:09 AM

02/05/2008 2:59 AM


"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I have another client who needs a replacement garden gate. The old one is
> just worn out and sagging. I'm looking for tricks of the trade to speed up
> the construction and make a more accurate gate.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=59514&cat=1,44047

$4.50
Can't beat that.


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