Gate frame for wooden fence

admin

I am working on rebuilding part of the fence around my backyard.  Previous owner used wood posts that are now rotting off after a few years!  I am needing to build a few gates. The largest gate will be a double gate. Total dimensions 6ft by 13ft. so each gate will be approximately 6ft tall by 6.5 ft wide (that is measuring the wood area).  I am planning a steel frame and attaching wood pickets to that.  Now my question is what size of steel do I need to use to support this?  I'm located in western Kansas so wind is an important factor. I am thinking 1.5" angle iron might work.  What do you think?  I am willing to do this right, so let me know if I should go to a larger size or square tubing.  Also, a means of attaching the wooden pickets to the frame is needed.  That is part of the reason I am thinking of angle iron.
Reply:1.5inch angle iron will still let the gates flex a lot for something that size if you're thinking of just a box frame???
Reply:I would go with a minimum 3" x 3/16" thickness square or round tube post.  1.5" x 14 gauge square frame for the gates.  Angle has lots of torsional flex (twist) and usually makes a bad frame for the type of forces vertical installations impose.  Bigger is usually better, and bigger at the same thickness is stronger than thicker of the same size. Wind load can be huge for solid gates and is a constant back and forth wiggling force, try to take that in to account.  Don't forget weep holes for freezing water. triangles and gusseting are your friendsLast edited by SlowBlues; 12-12-2018 at 08:51 AM.
Reply:Okay, sounds like I should pony up for the 1.5" square tubing.  I am planning a simple box frame with one diagonal brace from corner to corner.  The posts that will hold the gate are 3.5" od oil field tubing. I think it is 1/4" wall, but possibly 3/16".  These posts will be braced to the next closest post with a diagonal brace.  For hinges, I will be using barrel hinges.  Most likely 3/4" round bar (sucker rod) and appropriate tubing.Any suggestions for latches?  I haven't spent any time looking into those yet.
Reply:I would uaw 2"x14 ga. for the gates. Thinner but larger makes it very strong but thin enough to use TEK screws to screw the lumber on.
Reply:Originally Posted by sven556Okay, sounds like I should pony up for the 1.5" square tubing.  I am planning a simple box frame with one diagonal brace from corner to corner.  The posts that will hold the gate are 3.5" od oil field tubing. I think it is 1/4" wall, but possibly 3/16".  These posts will be braced to the next closest post with a diagonal brace.  For hinges, I will be using barrel hinges.  Most likely 3/4" round bar (sucker rod) and appropriate tubing.Any suggestions for latches?  I haven't spent any time looking into those yet.
Reply:^^ Or something like this works pretty good without the issues associated with the hole in the center...Or even the rotating version of this is plenty strong as long as you use at least a 2x6 sized bolt or bigger.
Reply:I'm in the process of skiing something similar.  I think I may go with a 16 ft metal panel gate from TSC for $129 and bolt the wood fence panels I already have from the old fence to it.   I can't buy the steel to build a gate frame for anywhere remotely close to what I can buy the TSC gate.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI'm in the process of skiing something similar.  I think I may go with a 16 ft metal panel gate from TSC for $129 and bolt the wood fence panels I already have from the old fence to it.   I can't buy the steel to build a gate frame for anywhere remotely close to what I can buy the TSC gate.
Reply:Originally Posted by SlowBluesI would go with a minimum 3" x 3/16" thickness square or round tube post.  1.5" x 14 gauge square frame for the gates.  Angle has lots of torsional flex (twist) and usually makes a bad frame for the type of forces vertical installations impose.  Bigger is usually better, and bigger at the same thickness is stronger than thicker of the same size. Wind load can be huge for solid gates and is a constant back and forth wiggling force, try to take that in to account.  Don't forget weep holes for freezing water. triangles and gusseting are your friends
Reply:I build a lot of gates for privacy fences. I use either 1"x2" or 1"x3" 14ga tubing for frames depending on the length of the gate.GraysOrnamentalIron.com
Reply:recently started thinking about fences and a gate for the site