Gate Upside Down?

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Doesn't it seem to you all that both of these gates were hung upside down?  The diagonal "support" is 1 x 1/4 flat bar which is not known for it strength in compression.  Tension not so bad.I walk by this most days and most days I think "that diagonal looks wrong."  This is in the same mindset as other posts about WWers checking out welds and fab techniques everywhere they go. Attached ImagesMiller Syncrowave 180SDLincoln WeldPak 100 with gasHandheld Milwaukee BandsawO/A Cutting Torch
Reply:I'm pretty sure there wrong.Miller Pro 300 SS w/ cat Miller Bobcat 250Miller Diversion 165 Miller 211Miller Xtreme 375Miller 12vsMiller Dynasty 200 DX Miller Passport Plus w/ Spool GunMiller 30a spoolmaticLincoln AC225 Buzz Box VictorMathey Dearman - H&M
Reply:i see this all the time. carpenters build everything compresion obviously due to nails, screws, and wood sucking in tension. and the always argue the direction of the diaganal ahh... stupid wood butchers. AND WTF the whole thing look like CRAP! even if it was the right way it would still be wrong!
Reply:No don't worry they used a laser level lol. I went on a repair call and fixed something this guy made for his supply yard he told me when it was new it was built with laser precision.Miller Pro 300 SS w/ cat Miller Bobcat 250Miller Diversion 165 Miller 211Miller Xtreme 375Miller 12vsMiller Dynasty 200 DX Miller Passport Plus w/ Spool GunMiller 30a spoolmaticLincoln AC225 Buzz Box VictorMathey Dearman - H&M
Reply:Use the flat bar at the opposite diagonalMauricio
Reply:is the kink on the right side bottom "precision"?Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:BHere  -  I love your flux.Good call, but observe: its structural inadequacies could not be any better than the rest of its faults.   This is a package deal.The reflective tape is an indicator that this second generation.Because it has been driven through, we cannot know what theoriginal looked like, hence, what you are critiquing is the improved version.From a construction standpoint: the asphalt and concrete guysgot the money, and the gate suffered accordingly.The irony, 'the gate was the project'.   And by the way; have youinterviewed the happy home owner.BHere, you are an aspiring metal worker.  Design a solution to all of the woes of this gate, and approach the happy home owner.The design /plan is everything.  If it makes their life easier, [and the design is great] you have a project.Opus
Reply:Now why didn't I think of that?Honestly Opus I never thought of proposing to fix it.  It would be such a relief if I didn't have to look at that sagging thing often.That really is a neat idea to drum up business - look for the cr@p that really should be fixed and put together a quote.  Sounds like a 1 in 10 sort of approach.Now that I think of it I don't think I've ever charged for welding or making something out of metal.  It is my hobby and it makes me happy.  Plus I have a knack for seeing a metal solution to almost any project.Thanks Opus you got me thinking.Miller Syncrowave 180SDLincoln WeldPak 100 with gasHandheld Milwaukee BandsawO/A Cutting Torch
Reply:Hi, seeing the chain and pad lock holding it closed and no locking catch tells me the gate is put on upside down, same as the side gate too.Simple fix, remove gate, turn upside down, re-bolt to side hinges....fix bend in new top side.It'll need new reflective tape on the other side too when you turn it around.Ian.
Reply:Originally Posted by grindelNo don't worry they used a laser level lol. I went on a repair call and fixed something this guy made for his supply yard he told me when it was new it was built with laser precision.
Reply:Originally Posted by BHere WWers checking out welds and fab techniques everywhere they go.
Reply:Originally Posted by bravofabi see this all the time. carpenters build everything compresion obviously due to nails, screws, and wood sucking in tension. and the always argue the direction of the diaganal ahh... stupid wood butchers. AND WTF the whole thing look like CRAP! even if it was the right way it would still be wrong!
Reply:Over that length the cable will act like a spring.Ian.
Reply:I suppose there is some type of cable that would stretch. However I can't think of one. cable like used on sail boat rigging wont stretch enough to measure with a tape measure, Maybe with a micrometer. Cable would be the normal fix for something like that.  Mac
Reply:It's just flat out under built for the span. And yes, I'd have the diag. going reverse. But on something that wide, a sprung wheel on the latch end is a good idea. That or a taller hinge post with a cable and turnbuckle for support and adjustment. This is a good option if the gate needs to be constructed  "lite" to be operated by a client with physical issues.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:For wood gates youput them like that, it keeps the wood in compression, thereby not relying on the nails. With a steel gate you put the diagonal in tension, as that is where it is strongest. So yes they are wrong. It was likely a metal gate made by a carpenter, a bad carpenter.
Reply:I made that mistake with my wood gate at the house.    After many years of building with steel it didnt cross my mind wood didnt play the same way.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:if that flat bar is welded to each of the pickets, i dont think it would actually be a problem if it was in compression, it would take a lot of force to cause buckling across 4 inches or so between every picket. i do agree that it looks like its in upside down.  im betting it gets hit in the dark, hence the need for the reflective tape.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanIt is just the difference between the Howe truss (designed around wooden compressive members), and the Pratt truss (designed around steel tensile members).An age old problem, but yes, that gate is either upside down, or backwards.I'd probably just add a cable and turnbuckle on the opposite diagonal rather than a more intricate fix though.
Reply:Brace should have been in tension, seems to be underbuilt for the long span, counting from right to left on the bottom rail there seems to be some sort of buckle or distortion around the 12th balluster. May be the picture but the driveway seems to have quite a bit of cross slope. You could make the gate sit level but then the gap under the gate is not even and looks bad.    If you are going to have a 2 leaf gate, why not make them equal lengths and meet in the middle so you don't have that long span on the one on the right?  Not well thought out or fabricated, poor install as well."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400