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I am intending to construct a pair of driveway gates 8'6" wide x 5'6" high.
Advice please as to the best type of joints to use and what section of timber. I would like to have a close boarded front. Do I use timber connectors on half laps, how do I fit the diagonal brace to the styles, and should I bold all the vertical boarding to the horizantal rails?
Thanks :?

Hi. That is quite challenging. Am i right is assuming you want each gate to be 8'6'' wide rather than the pair? If so the quality on the final result is going to be very dependent on the quality of the joints.

You need proper close fitting mortise and tenon joints, preferably draw-bored, rather than half lap with timber connectors.

The cross bracing should be like the cross bracing on a gallows – into the upright on the side the gate is hung, and into the cross-piece at the top.

For good reasons to do with expansion etc the close-boarding is not usually structural. It would typically just be rabbeted into the frame.

Tall and narrow (or even square gates) are much more tolerant of less than perfect construction. Wide and short gates less so. Unless you have some experience I'd suggest leaving this one to the local joiner.

Hi Oddbod
Thanks for your response.
The overall size is 8'6" wide (so a pair of 4'3"" gates) All joints will have to be hand cut including the mortise and tenons (I am not familiar with 'draw bore') what is this?
Would the inclusion of connectors be of help with the facing boards?
I understand about the cross braces.
Thanks

Hi. OK, that is a lot easier. I'm assuming you'll be using treated softwood? 4by2 inch would be fine for the frame, with, 4by1.5 for the bracing. If you cant find it, you'd get away with 4by1.

Ideally you'd still use mortise and tenon joints, but they are quite hard to cut accurately by hand. You'll need a few practice joints first. You might find it easier to cut “through tenonsâ€

Hi Oddbod
Many, many thanks for the advice - I think I can do this ok now.
Regards
Curruthers