Barbarians at the gate

[PerranOak]

We have need of a "field gate"between our garden and ... a field.

SWMBO has the idea that a "posh" one would be best, not some old thing!

What is the best wood for it to be made from? It's only going to be 5 feet wide and about 3 feet 6 inches high.

Cheers.

 

[marcros]

for posh, how about Teak?!!!!

 

[Racers]

Hi,

Have a look at this video http://video.unctv.org/video/1772039873

Pete

 

[AndyT]

Oak is the traditional best choice and is naturally durable. Sweet chestnut is also good.

 

[brianhabby]

Oak is the traditional best choice and is naturally durable. Sweet chestnut is also good.

+1 for oak or chestnut which is easier to work IMO. Try to get air dried rather than kiln dried if possible.

regards

Brian

 

[misterfish]

What is the rest of the boundary between the garden and field - if it's rustic it might look odd to have a high quality finish gate. How about a picture and then those with design and aesthetic capabilities could make suggestions.

Misterfish

 

[Grahamshed]

+1 for the picture. Not that I have design or aesthetic capabilities

 

[PerranOak]

Cheers all.

The "hole" in the wall for the gate isn't there yet but it should be done today-ish. I'll get a photo done!

 

[AndyT]

If, having watched Pete's Roy Underhill video for inspiration, you do decide to make a proper trad field gate, try to have a look at chapter VI of "The Village Carpenter" by Walter Rose (another essential title in any woodworker's library, imho). He points out several important things - that making a gate, including all the planing and cutting all the joints by hand, should take no more than a day (ie ten hours); that the hinges should be arranged longer at the bottom so that the gate will stand open or shut as required but swing easily; and that there should be a touch of ornament on the top rail. And that a gate made of oak will easily last 50 years.

 

[PerranOak]

50 years! ... with lots of "treatment"?

 

[AES]

@Perranoak,

Please check your PMs - I need your address.

AES

 

[Newbie_Neil]

50 years! ... with lots of "treatment"?

It won't need any, as long as you like silver.

Thanks,
Neil

 

[bugbear]

try to have a look at chapter VI of "The Village Carpenter" by Walter Rose (another essential title in any woodworker's library, imho).

+1

A much easier author to warm to than Sturt, IMHO.

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

try to have a look at chapter VI of "The Village Carpenter" by Walter Rose (another essential title in any woodworker's library, imho).

+1

A much easier author to warm to than Sturt, IMHO.

BugBear

Agreed, but Rose was himself a carpenter, writing about what he could remember of his own working life - and he produced a very readable narrative. He was one of the skilled men, confident in his knowledge.

Sturt wanted to be a writer, but inherited a business which was already old-fashioned and never likely to be really successful, where he had to turn a hand as a sort of 'managing apprentice'. There's a clear sense that the 'men' tolerated him but never completely confided in him, which I take to be because of the social class difference. He did write other books, which were somewhat similar memoirs looking back to a vanished way of rural life.

But both are fascinating glimpses of a vanished way of life.

 

[PerranOak]

Sorry, been away for a bit.

What about iroko, someone suggested that?


AES: it's been so long, sorry. You can keep them as a gift, cheers.

 

[AndyT]

Sorry, been away for a bit.

What about iroko, someone suggested that?

I've just realised that the answer is lurking in your username!

(and you did ask for the best wood)

 

[AES]

@Perranoak:

OK, thanks very much, accepted.

I must add to/join a comment made by Steve Maskery on another thread recently -the genuine kindness and generosity/willingness to help by a lot of people on this Forum does take some beating! In fact I've never found anywhere else like it.

Thanks to Perranoak.

Krgds
AES

 

[PerranOak]

Cheers Andy, good point!

AES, no prob.

Cheers all, oak it is! Still don't have my hole yet!

 

[PerranOak]

So, the gate is done - oak - and the hole in the hedge is there. Photo to follow.

Now that I see the gate, I think that I'd rahter maintain its colour rather than let it go grey.

Any suggestions for a product to protect it please? Something that will not add colour is preferable.

Cheers.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A prayer? ....would probably work as well as anything else!