Fences and Gates - Metal & Wood gates

Hello, I am sure glad I found this site!! I did alot of reading here before I started my gate project. I just want to share my results with everyone. Since I cant post pics here, Ill try to explain it as best I can. The gate goes between two houses and across my driveway. Starting at my house, 3 feet of fence, then a gate post, then 2 gates(to span my driveway 9"6" between gate posts), then a gate post, then another gate to the next house(7'6" gate). So the tricky part was figuring out how big to make the gate posts. I went with 5"x5" sq. 3/8" thick steel posts with 12"x12" plates welded to the bottom. I dug 3'6" deep(hit solid rock)and made the holes 24"diam with a bell at the bottom. Also I "key'd" them with the driveway cement. Basicaly the cement will be againt and under the driveway cement. This may sound like over kill, but one of the posts is carrying two gates with no other bracing. I wound up with nine 80# bags of maximizer in each hole. I built the gates out of 2"x2" 11 gauge steel . They are 5'0" tall, fully welded. I used weld tabs with holes to mount my wood rails. The rails go on the top, middle, and under the steel gates. I mounted the gates to the posts using weld on 5" barrel hinges with grease fittings. You can move the gates with one finger, thats how easy they swing. I used 6"x 6' cedar tounge and groove paneling, flat on top. For the rails I used pressure treated pine 2"x4". I sealed all wood, all sides, before installing. I used oil based sealer no tint. I used hot dipped lag bolts to secure the rails and coated deck screws to secure the paneling. I pre drilled all holes in the paneling and for counter sink. I hope this info will help someone.

GenBuck,

Welcome to the forums.

Now, THAT'S a pair of gates!! Posting pics is allowed. Either post them directly or put them on a site like photobucket and post the URL.

Thanks Lefty, That means something coming from you. I will figure out how to post some pics.