Turning £300 of Idigbo into sawdust!

[mailee]

I made a start on the hardwood gates today. I decided to use Idigbo for them as it was cheaper than using Iroko and there is a lot of wood. Upon returning from the timber merchants I spent most of the morning machining up the timber.

By the end of the day well into the early evening I had four frames almost completed.

The tops of the gates have to be curved yet and I shall do this tomorrow. I say double gates but it actually consists of two double gates a small single gate and a blanking panel set into a frame above it. I still have to buy some more timber as I couldn't get it all in my car. There will also be two 4" posts which are to be set into the drive each side of the double gates. More to come tomorrow.

 

[mailee]

I didn't get on as well as I expected today as I was interrupted twice by the owner of the furniture company asking me to do a couple of small jobs. I started the day by cutting a curve on the top rails.

When I had completed all of them I had a dry fit of the full project.

Finally I cut the rebate out on each of the gates and panels.

I haven't added the centre rails or diagonal braces as I need some thinner stock for these and will be returning to the timber yard tomorrow to collect those. I've also got an apprentice tomorrow as my lad is at a loose end and has asked me if he can come and help.

 

[billybuntus]

Excellent, work I'll be watching this with interest as I'm just about to start mine Just aquired two 8 feet 6x3 mahogany posts for the posts for free

 

[mailee]

WOW! you lucky blighter! I will have to take another trip up to the timber merchants to get the three posts for this job as I couldn't get it all on the car. I bought the 1" boards today which will be used for the centre rails, diagonal braces and the boards for the front. I didn't manage to take any pictures today as I had my lad there doing some spring cleaning for me. I spent most of the day machining up the 1" boards. I shall get on better tomorrow when I can start fitting the frames together.

 

[billybuntus]

You need a bigger car

There's another 10 of those mahogany posts to come

 

[devonwoody]

Perhaps a trailer would be a worthwhile addition to your tool requirements, or a share in a low load truck with others?

 

[mailee]

I haven't got a tow bar on my car Woody i am sorry to say. I am waiting until I have enough money and will buy a second hand Transit. I am looking at getting something with a long wheel base and a high top to make sure I have enough room.
Well I think I must have worn my lad out yesterday as he was still in bed this morning. :lol: Anyway I had a good day on machining up the 1" stock for the rest of the gates. Then my first job was to make the centre rails and the diagonal braces.

I then had a dry fit of the small gate to check everything lined up before making the T&G boards.

I used the spindle moulder and the router table to make the boards. (I wish I had bought a spindle moulder years ago they are brilliant) I did get a bit of splintering with the router table so gave up that idea and cut the 'V' grooves and tongue on the spindle moulder. I haven't got a V T&G cutter for it so had to change cutters for the 'V'. Anyway it gave a very clean cut and the boards were then ready for putting in place. I held together the gate with some screws while I took this shot.

By the end of the day I had the small gate and the blanking panel in glue up ready for the morning. Not too bad a day then.

 

[mailee]

I machined up the rest of the wood for the panels today and got most of them fitted.

By the end of the day, well early evening again, I had all of them done bar one.

I still have to finish the top moulding and then give them a good sanding. I will have to wait until Monday to get the posts and then I can get the framework complete.

 

[billybuntus]

Very smart, your works getting better and better (not that its ever been bad )

 

[Dodge]

Looking good Boss - and nice to see you working in hardwood again - even if it is idigbo. :wink: :wink:

 

[shim20]

there looking good, well done on keeping going like you are

 

[mailee]

Thanks guys. Yes I am pleased I am still geting the work Shim.
I got all of the gates finished today. After fitting the mouldings and rounding over the top and sides I gave them a good sanding.

I also fitted the mortice lock in the small gate to save time on site when I come to fit them.

I will now make up the frame and posts so it is a simple job of screwing it all together. I pick up the posts tomorrow and the rest of the fittings that were out of stock. Will see how I get on tomorrow.

 

[mn pete]

Beautiful work mailee!

 

[mailee]

Thanks Pete. Well I got them all finished today ready for fitting. (don't look at the state of the workshop It was late when I finished)

I am hoping to fit them on Friday but the forecast doesn't look too good. :roll: It will be a shame as I have organised an extra pair of hands too! We will have to wait and see I suppose.

 

[gasman]

love those gates!
interesting thread as I have to make a gate soon in idigbo - can I ask how the going rate for idigbo is?
thanks for sharing
mark

 

[mailee]

Thanks Mark. I paid £20.25 + VAT per cu ft for it from my local timber merchant.

 

[RogerBoyle]

Very nice work

Roger

 

[mailee]

Well guys, I got the gates up today although rain stopped play so I didn't get them finished. :roll: I am returning tomorrow to finish them and break up the old ones, (Shouldn't take much as they were falling apart) I did have to add a couple of pieces to the bottom of the gates to take the Monkey tail bolts as I had to leave a larger gap to clear the concrete when they opened. We were getting on really well until the rain came so it is a pity. I also forgot to take some before shots as by the time I got back from collecting the posts my mate had taken them all down and dug out the holes for the posts! (And I thought I was quick) Anyway I shall take some shots of them tomorrow (Weather permitting) Looks like I have some more to make too as his neighbour has asked me to quote on replacing hers.

 

[RogerBoyle]

Glad to hear that things went well
Are the neighbours gates going to be the same or radically different ???

Roger

 

[mailee]

I am not sure yet Roger. I will talk to her tomorrow. I do know that it is a single gate she is after. Will see her exact requirements tomorrow.