Planning stages of a gate project

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I am planning a single gate to span my drive. Span is 11ft 10in and will have a wheel on the swing end. Plan is for a simple frame with privacy fence attached to it. Question is should I use square tube or one of these I-beams I found on Craigslist? I would have to buy square tube new from the steel supplier. Can't figure out to post a link...1 - 8' 2 1/2" x 4" I-beam $20.004 - 9'9" 3 in I-beams 1/4 in thick $100.00...that's all copied word for word.
Reply:1 1/2" x 1/8" sq tube should work fine for the gate frame. Just remember if the drive isn't level you'll have some engineering to do for the support wheel. I've built my own gate hinges using 1/2" sched 80 pipe and 1/2" hot rolled for pins.                                      HTH,                                             Mike  PS: I'd upload a pic of one but haven't figured out how to pick the one I want out of a bunch of question marks.Last edited by mla2ofus; 10-30-2013 at 06:57 PM.Ol' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Here is the link, see if this workshttp://terrehaute.craigslist.org/mat/4103546679.html
Reply:Don't use A beam, don't use a wheel. Just put a post in the ground deep enough to handle the load . Today I put up a 14' single swinging gate. The operator will get installed tomorrow. I built the frame out of 3" .o65 square tube,except for the hinge side which is 3" x 3/16. Swings good, no sag, no wheel. This is a fairly light gate at about 400 pounds. The post was built by a block mason, and has a footing that is about 30" deep. I would have preferred a little deeper footing (3'), but it seemed to work together fine. The post and footing are the most critical parts of your gate. Do a good enough job on them and you can hang whatever you want off of them.
Reply:If you are concerned about the weight of the gate and the strength of the hinge post and the swing radius is unlevel, use a spring loaded post/axle for the wheel.  Walker said it right about the post and footing..... very critical !
Reply:X2 on what walker said. I have built some heavy gates out of 4in x 1/4 wall 18' long no wheel been in use for almost 10 years no problems. Just a heavy deep seated hinge pole. Lots of light weight farm gates are longer than that and no wheel also.Last edited by KD Welding; 10-30-2013 at 09:19 PM.
Reply:Even though I can get the I-beam a lot cheaper that a 4" square tube, still don't use the I beam? Is the I beams I found just not heavy enough for a post?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Not saying you have to build it out of 4 in. Its going to depend on how much weight your going to be hanging on it" the privacy fence part" and how strong you want it to be. If you search the forum you will find many driveway gate some made from light weight stock others that are heavier. The I beams are a little light for hinge post and they're not the most ideal for a hinge post because smaller ones will twist and flex. Posts 4x4x.250 "at least" and the gate would be .125 2in. square tube with the hinge side being .375 2 in. square tube. This would be a good start to a light gate again its going to depend on how much you want to ask of it. Also you should probably check local code on gates.Last edited by KD Welding; 10-31-2013 at 08:06 PM.
Reply:Ok, thanks I understand now. I-beams are prone to twisting in this application. I'll plan on square tube. The gate will be between my brick house and a 6ft privacy fence. I don't know if I want the gate to be 6ft like the fence or shorter, maybe 4ft tall? What do you guys think?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Sorry I think I wasn't very clear I beams are very strong and the right sized one would be fine for a hinge post. I just meant the ones you were looking at were a little on the small side. If your just looking for a privacy gate any of the material lists above will work. Like I said it all depends on how strong you want it to be. Just a visual barrier or something you couldn't break the a truck? That's your call.
Reply:This would only be a visual barrier. Keep the dog in and keep the kids in and hide the junk pile kind of thingSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:This is what I did for my gate 11'6" x 8' tall.  It didn't really need a wheel but I did one just in  case.  It follows the uneven slope of the driveway.I also won Miller's contest with this set up. I was pleasantly surprised compared to the other awesome projects that were shown.---No good deed goes unpunished---
Reply:Weather it needs a wheel or not that one is pretty friggin cool. nice build.
Reply:Have you checked for camber?  Nice Job!