On 14/05/2018 07:46, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 14/05/18 07:14, Jeff Layman wrote:
I've been making a featheredge garden gate this weekend, and have just
got to fit the diagonal bracing. Most gates I've seen in the Sheds and
garden centres have the diagonals parallel - bottom left to centre
right, and centre left to top right. One or two have them meeting in
the middle - bottom left to centre right, and centre right to top left.

Any reason one should be better than the other?

All depends on the joint quality and the size of the diagonals

Some say put the diagonals in tension as then they won't bow (Eulers
instability theory).

Other say that wood joints in tensioin are a Bad Thing so put them in
compression.

Compression - always, and a tight fit, unless you want the latch
side of the gate to slowly droop.