Driveway Gate Designs / Sizing Questions

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Not sure if this qualifies as a project since it is still in the design phase ...It's time to replace the 14 year old fiberglas gate at the end of the driveway and current plans are to build one out of square steel tubing to match the exisiting dimensions (~14' long by 4' high).  General concept at this time is to build a rectangular frame and add pickets / designs (that meet the approval of the wife).  Any thoughts on the proper frame size, I'm currently thinking about 1.5" tubing x 0.65 wall with 1/2" or 1" tubing for the pickets / artwork.Before any one asks, the gate post should be strong enough, it is a 10' long piece of 4" sch 40 pipe with 4 feet in the ground surrounded by 8" of concrete with the remaining 6' above ground.Thanks in advance for any ideas / pictures / suggestions.Andy-------------------------Miller Bobcat 250 / Dynasty 200DXHobart HH 140Hypertherm PowerMax 380Kalamazoo 8C BandsawHowron Bender / Hossfeld #2 Bender
Reply:Initial thoughts that the wall thickness of your tubing is light, but that would depend whether there is enough reinforcement in your design for that length (your wifes preference would dictate what you are allowed reinforcement wise.  Incorporating. A proper reinforcement into an aesthetic design takes thought).  I prefer. 095 wall (same reinforcment considerations). Also, I don't know what type of soil you have but 4 feet, for a 14 foot length is also a bit shallow IMO.  You could build some back lean into the post to account for inevitable drop of your gate over time.  Or use a wheel at the far end.  For a single gate to span 14 feet I would go deeper or build a 3 axis frame and bury it.Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:I make all my gates ot of 2"x14 ga. square tube. It looks massive but weighs in light. Almost all the gates I build are close to 16' long and have built one at 20', so a 14' should not be any problem. I would use good commercial hinges with grease fittings. When you hang the gate, do it with the outer end an inch high and when you take your blocks out from under it, the gate should flex down to just about perfect.
Reply:Last year I had to do exactly the same thing.  I built 2x 15' gates. Check out my thread http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=47585  It covers a lot. I built it out of 2x14ga and the posts were 5x0.188 square. Made my own hinges.  B Attached Imagesars sine scientia nihil est