Thursday, June 26, 2014

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Pathetic Gate

Finally we decided, OK "A", decided to get rid of the metal gate that we were using to block access to the canyon. The metal gate is actually from our other house that we dragged here in the hopes that we could still use it for something. Yep we have had it there for 5 years.

We knew that we wanted a wood gate but could not decide on how to design it. Should it be permanent, should it open, or should it just be removable. We finally decided to make it removable.

We planned on using the existing  post attached to the wall on the right then construct one to the left. My original thought was to attach the 2x4 to the patio using concrete anchors. However once I started drilling into the concrete it wasn't thick enough and was breaking. Plan B was to set the 2x4 into concrete which was really easy and it should have been plan A. We used a french cleat to hold the gate onto the posts

We wanted to use any existing wood and here is where the pathetic comes in. We wanted it light so that it would be easy when we removed it. But it also could not block a lot of wind since it was such a light gate. I could see the wind catching it and blowing it up on the deck.

We spaced the vertical pieces about 8 inches apart and with it being thin pieces the gate looks really pathetic. But it does the job and we can now get rid of the metal piece of crap.

Just don't lean on it!!!!!!