Making a gate - please help

27col

Three big hinges will not be enough to stop the gate sagging. You will have to have well fixed diagonals as well. As you seem keen to get into DIY but, by your own admittance, have little skill. It would be a good idea to get hold of some good DIY books, which will give the basic idea of how to do things and also, what tools you need. Perhaps you could find a local evening class. Or find a friend or colleague with DIY skills to give you a few pointers. Most people who know how to do things will be glad to pass on a few tips. You will never learn if you do not try, but by the same token you will make some awful bodges if you do not acquire some basic knowledge and tools. It is very difficult to get a decent job done without spending a bit of cash on the right basic tools. This need not be by any means expensive.

ormus

one of the most basic woodworking tools is a bench and a vice.
ie a workmate. holding the material is a basic requirement to get decent results.
most saws have a 45 degree mark on the handle too.

Inactive

superpup wrote: »

Perhaps posting on forums is not your forte then, if you can only manage sarcasm.;)

I was only stating the obvious, for which you actually thanked me..

This may be a realistic option for you;

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Ledged-and-Braced-Gate-Kit/invt/187707?WT.ac=SP10340

superpup

I've done the diagonals! I cut thinner pieces of wood of wood to size then used those as templates and they're in.

My old neighbour who used to be a carpenter said it looks good. It's very slightly out but he said it's not enough to worry about (and he usually is quite critical ).

I do ask for tips at my local building supplies and they are quite helpful and lots of my neighbours come and have a nose when they hear I'm up to something else :rolleyes:. You're right, I don't have an awful lot of diy skills but I do enjoy having a go. I built the concrete base for my oil tank recently. It's a good idea about a class. I may see if there are any starting in September.

Do the hinges fit flush to the edge of the gate? I'm about to do those now. I will post a pic when I've finished if you all promise not to laugh.

Thanks so much for all your help.

superpup

Inactive wrote: »

I was only stating the obvious, for which you actually thanked me..

This may be a realistic option for you;

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Ledged-and-Braced-Gate-Kit/invt/187707?WT.ac=SP10340

I know, I thanked you so we didn't end up in a slanging match as a lot seem to here.

superpup

ormus wrote: »

one of the most basic woodworking tools is a bench and a vice.
ie a workmate. holding the material is a basic requirement to get decent results.
most saws have a 45 degree mark on the handle too.

I would love to get a work bench but something else always crops up and the cash has to go to that. Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list.

Inactive

Glad you have it sorted,

One_Day_Rodney

Do the hinges fit flush to the edge of the gate?

The two leaves of the hinge will be spaced ¼" or so by the hinge pin. Some hinges are 'shouldered' to show you where to line them up with the edges of the gate/post.

Place the edge of the small leaf upto the edge of your post and the edge of the longer leaf upto the edge of your gate.

This gives you a gap for clearance opening and allow for the wood swelling when wet etc..

I usually find its easier to screw the hinges to the gate first.
Hold the gate to the post and put one screw into the hinge on the post side at the top first.
This will take the gate's weight and you can then prop the gate up from underneath to get the bottom hinge lined up and the gate level.

superpup

I am so glad it is finished. It's not perfect but it's given me my privacy back and hasn't cost me a fortune.

Thanks everyone for your help.

aliasojo

Yay! Go you!

Couple of small things if you dont mind me mentioning........it's more usual to have the hinges on the bit of the post that's facing you, rather than the inside. And will you be cutting off the excess on the posts just to neaten things up? Saw them off at a slight angle to let the rain run off...or buy a couple of post caps.

It'll make all the difference having a gate up.

You'll be on a roll now. First a gate....next some decking with handrail and a few wooden planters? :rotfl: