Fred wrote:
Hi,

I would like to put a gate across the passage that leads to our
garden. I would like a solid "door style" gate, about 3'3" wide and 6'
tall.

I know you use a Z shape brace on the back to hold it all together but
do you just butt the planks together or is it better to use tongued
and grooved wood? Would you glue them or would nails/bolts be enough?


Glue is almost useless outdoors. The wood swells enough to split either
the joint, or the wood.

Galv screws or bolts are the way to go.


I know 18mm T&G is readily available and often used as floorboards; is
T&G available in thicker sizes?


get it made up. I use 19mm 'charcter' (=full of knots and ****) oak for
this sort of thing, to 'door kit' specification.

What's the best way to mount it? Onto a stout fence post?


yes. agricultural suppliers will have this sort of think ready made.


What is the best way to lock it shut? Would you use a padlocked bolt
or could you somehow incorporate a mortice lock?


Padlock is better if you think someone really wants to get in. Mortice
will shatter the wood with a jemmy quite easily.

BTW would you cramp the wood together whilst the glue sets and if so,
is it worth paying for Irwin cramps? They seem to cost twice as much
as the other makes. Are they worth the extra or are you just paying
for the name?


You dont glue and its pointless crampimg.

Simply make up (preferably) a morticed Z-frame doweled together if
possible rather than screwed..lasts a bit longer - and screw from the
back into the actual boards. I tend to use oak plugs in sunken screw
holes to get rid of teh heads.

If you don't want gaps appearing use T & G, otherwise just butt.

Trim final door to size after construction, and for outdoors completely
coat it in something weatherproof several times over.

Most cheap softwopd outdoor gates would be something like 15mm pine on a
30mm frame.

I use 19mm oak on 30mm oak frame. Looks much better.

google is your friend to find hinges and latcches etc.



TIA