When I posted a picture of my new 'cranberry sauce' colored garden gate I had more than a few of you ask if and when I was going to post a tutorial on it.
Well let me state for the record I am no wood worker, I do not feel qualified to say "Look, here is how to build a gate."
But what I am going to do is show you how I built this particular gate...whether it be the 'proper' way to build a gate...
I don't know!
First I measured the opening where the gate was going and subtracted 1 inch...that would be my width.
I then determined how tall I wanted it and then subtracted 4 inches...making the frame 4 inches shorter to allow for 2 inches of overhang of the face boards on top and on the bottom.
The frame is built from 2x4s, I don't like working with the chemicals in pressure treated wood so I just used regular lumber...I stained it later for protection.
I cut the top and bottom pieces the width I wanted my gate to end up...in my case 43 inches.
I then cut the side pieces 1.5 inches shorter than I wanted the over all height to be.
At the corners of the frame I was going to use lap joints. Meaning one piece would lap over the other. Here is how I did it.
Working with the top piece of your frame measure in and mark 1.5 inches on the narrow side. Do this on both ends of the top piece and the bottom piece...you will do it 4 times.
Then measure up 3/4 inch on both ends of the top piece and the bottom piece, mark
In 1.5 inches and up .75 inches. Draw a line through each point and you will get this...
This is the little section...the one with the 'X' through it that you are going to cut out. Then your side boards will fit right up in there all nice and snug!
This is what it should look like with the wood removed from your measured section. I used the table saw to do this but you could do it by hand or if you're really good with a chop saw...I'm not that good. Besides I like the table saw!
I laid everything out on the floor and got it square
To determine square, measure corner to corner diagonally and the measurements will be the same when square
When all the joints were done I glued and screwed them together using stainless screws.
Next is the diagonal brace. Measure the longest inside measurement from diagonal corners. Cut you lumber to that length. Then cut your angles from that long point back 45 degrees in either direction. I use a compound miter saw.
It will fit snuggly into the corner. I glued and screwed this too.
Next I put two coats of deck/fence stain on.
Olympic solid stain in 'Cranberry Sauce'
Then I started on the cedar face boards...
I knew I wanted a curved top so I sketched in paint the approximate arc. That way I didn't stain more than I needed to...I don't like staining very much!
Keeping it real with you all...son's wrecked car awaiting fenders and hood...punching bag...swings...coolers...and now a gate! And my poor hubby doesn't like clutter and disorder...sorry sweetie.
I placed the boards on the frame and determined that a gap of 3/4 inch was what was needed for even placement across the frame.
I screwed them in place...then I had to cut the curve on top
I placed a 2x4 at the top of the gate on an upturned 5 gallon bucket. I pounded a nail into the 2x4. The board was adjusted so the nail was in the exact center of the gate. I attached a string with a pencil on the end to the nail. After some experimentation with the length of the string I found the arc I wanted and the traced it onto the wood.
If you look in the first picture of the post I did not bring the curve to the very outer edge of the gate...I didn't want a sharp point on either side so I brought it in 2 inches from the edges.
I then cut it out with a jigsaw.
After it was cut I put on the 2nd coat of stain and let dry.
I then attached the hinges and hubby and I went and hung it in the garden.
It fit perfectly and should keep the chickens from messing in the garden beds...now if it would only keep out slugs!!!
