And on to the next...

[mailee]

After finishing the toy box I got the wood for my next project today. A single gate in Softwood. Got to the workshop at 9.30 and got stuck in making the frame.

By the late afternoon I had the panels ready to fit after coating them with preservative.

Will get it fitted next week weather providing.

 

[joiner_sim]

Looking good, working fast! When you say coat the panels with preservative, do you mean you're putting your finish on the T&G's and rebates of the frame before assembly? If so okay, I'll ssssssush

 

[mailee]

Yes that's right Sim. I treat all the bits I cant get at once the gate is assembled. :wink:

 

[Orcamesh]

Hi mailee, nice looking gate. Just one probably daft question, but why is the main upright left longer than needed during the making process. I realise that you will eventually cut it to length but I just wondered why this was useful? #-o

cheers
Steve

 

[mailee]

It isnt Steve it is an illusion due to part being obscured by the table saw. The lower rail is raised so it lines up with the bottom hinge on the concrete post. HTH. :wink:

 

[Mcluma]

are the braches also mortised?

 

[mailee]

No the braces are biscuit jointed and then glued and screwed.

 

[OPJ]

Good work again, Alan!

Do you use knotting on an external gate? And, if so, do you apply it before or after treating the timber?

Steve - a lot of external gates and, even some external doors (garage, barn, etc.) are made in this way, with the bottom rail a good couple of inches higher than the bottom end of the gate. I believe this has something to do with keeping the bottom rail away from the threat of rot and/or damage. Unlike the two stiles, where the grain is running vertically, the horizontal rails all want to expand/contract across the width of the timber; vertically along the gate.

 

[Orcamesh]

OK thanks for clarifying chaps. I had seen elongated stiles or raised/lowered rails before in gate/door making so now it makes sense. I didnt follow this procedure when I made my gates as I didnt have a rail & stile frame, only a Z-frame to which the overlapping pieces were nailed. The bottom and top rails (as part of the Z-frame) were placed well away from the bottom of the gate. I shall have to remember this when I finally get round to redoing my garage doors!

cheers
Steve