Wide garden gate

[Jupiter01]

I built this a year ago and it has stood the test of time. I used 4x2x and 2x2s for this
I need a build another gate but much wider on this occasion: approximately 5ft x 5ft. Would the same approach work for this sized gate i.e. frame and braces in the same way and then nailed with featherboards?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Diver Fred]

I built this a year ago and it has stood the test of time. I used 4x2x and 2x2s for this
I need a build another gate but much wider on this occasion: approximately 5ft x 5ft. Would the same approach work for this sized gate i.e. frame and braces in the same way and then nailed with featherboards?

Thanks in advance.

Don't see why not - but I'd use Match boarding for the face rather than Weather boarding (featherboards). You have the braces the right way round (low end on Hinge side).

 

[Jupiter01]

Are there any issues with using 3x2 timbers for the horizontal parts of the frame? I thought I had 4x2s but they are actually 3x2s.
I will be using 2x2 for all the braces.

 

[Jupiter01]

Can someone please provide some guidance with this as I was planning to build this gate tomorrow.
Thanks again

 

[Mr Chibs]

3x2 is probably on the borderline, I’d prefer 4x2, why not make the bracing one 3x2 as well.

To make the joints stronger it would be better mortice and tenoned. Is your old gate just screwed through at the joints?

just re-read the original post... if you are making this gate 5ft wide, you really need 4x2 and proper joints... otherwise I think it will sag quickly.

 

[Jupiter01]

To make the joints stronger it would be better mortice and tenoned. Is your old gate just screwed through at the joints?

Yes, it’s screwed at he joint and has been solid for a few years now. No issues.
However this is wider

 

[Mr Chibs]

Whenever you screw into endgrain it’s a weak joint. You’ll be able to assemble, but expect it to move.

I made my gates a couple of years ago, they are doubles around 1.5m each leaf.
These are 4x2, m&t the bracing is 6x1¾.
With 14mm matchboarding.

These haven’t sagged.

whilst not used for exterior, perhaps dowels or biscuits could help.

looking at your old gate, is it around 700mm wide?

 

[Jupiter01]

looking at your old gate, is it around 700mm wide?

Yes.

I have a dowel jig I could use for this. Do you think the 3x2s will suffice if I am using the dowels?

Also, which type of screws should I use for this?

 

[Jupiter01]

Take that back. The dowel jig won’t do 2inch timbers
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wolfcraf...qdI4AOeZI1AidYWBjPxoCWq4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Mr Chibs]

Pocket jig will do 2” timbers and will make a strong joint... but I doubt one for a gate that big.

For one gate, think I’d bite the bullet and buy bigger timbers, why do the job twice?

 

[Jupiter01]

Pocket jig will do 2” timbers

Are you referring to the jig I have? The details suggest that it does a maximum of 30mm.

I will use 4x2's for the horizontal sections. What type and length of screws do you suggest?

 

[Mr Chibs]

No, different jig, I’m talking about something like this

https://www.kregtool.com/shop/pocke...le-jigs/kreg-pocket-hole-jig-320/KPHJ320.html

To make the joint stronger, you can screw from the endgrain rather than into it... if that makes sense.

screw length (Not using Jig), I’d sink them half way in and use something like An 80mm

 

[Mr Chibs]

Let’s us know how you get on.

Use D4 or PU glue as well as when you screw it together, you might be in with a fighting chance.

What about doing Half lap joints, glue and screw? Think this will be stronger than just screwing.

good luck, let’s see your progress pics.

 

[Jupiter01]

Here you go @Mr Chibs. Would welcome your feedback.

Thanks for all your advice.

 

[Mr Chibs]

Blimey, you didn’t muck around, well done.

Not wishing to be critical, but in pic 2 I notice you have one screw holding this joint, was thinking it might stop the wood twisting if you could get another screw in those joints... you could do the tops easily, and suck it and see on the bottom ones, as you will have to take the gate off.

Thanks for the update.

Chibs