NT wrote:
On Jun 24, 12:42 am, "newshound" wrote:
"NT" wrote in message

...



On Jun 23, 1:53 am, John Rumm wrote:
NT wrote:

Going to make a medium sized wooden gate. I plan to make a simple
butt joined frame for the gate itself, and top it with a strip of

Butt jointed sounds like a rather weak construction for any sort of
gate...

Lap jointed, or mortice and tenon would give a much stiffer result.

You dont think those would compromise rot resistance somewhat? The
gate will never be painted.

I would think butt jointed 2x4 would be stiff enough, different
matter if it were just 2x2.

triangular timber about twice the width to shed water. I want to
fit a bunch of small timber to fill the empty space, but not sure
what would be the best way to fix it, and any other hints on
idealising the details would be welcome. It'll be a full height
job, and security isnt critical.

If you are going to infill the space, would it not be simpler to
do a ledge and brace type of construction (i.e. top middle and
bottom rails, with a couple of diagonal braces, and then planks
nailed/screwed to one side of them)?

The style really wouldnt fit here. The gate needs to be seethrough,
and something relatively modern.

NT

You don't say how you are making the butt joints. Dowel? Biscuit?
Metal brackets? If you don't want to make mortise and tenon joints
then cross-halvings are reasonably quick using a circular saw.

I want it to last so the less holing the better. Probably just 6"
screws through the ends.


You need diagonal bracing to stop your rectangular structure turning
into a parallelogram.

with 2x4? I'm not convinced I do if the joints are tight. One thing's
for sure though, I don't want the appearance of a big angled bracing
plank. If there's any bracing it'll be small corner pieces.

6" screws in a 2 x 4 frame would be fine for say a window frame. or even a
deck frame. They however don't ever move & a gate does. Small corner
braces won't do the job. The side opposite the hinges will drop & the gate
won't close/open properly.

The large diagonal braces are there to stop the rectangle becoming a
parallelogram .


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk