Hello people, I’m planning to build a metal gate with wood inserts. I was wondering what would be the best thickness and size for the squared metal pipes and posts to use. I thought 1-1/2 dimension. I’m not a builder, so I’m not sure. Here I attached an idea of the plan with the dimensions. Any suggestions? Thank you!
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You might be better off to google it. Metal has more exacting descriptions.
Thank you oldhand!
You've got some large heavy gates hanging on the posts. There's a lot of leverage wanting to torque those posts. Your metal will come in 10 or 20 ft. lengths, so my first suggestion would be to make the posts 10 ft. with 4 ft in the ground and a goodly amount of concrete. You're not talking a lot of money so go for the over kill. Make the posts 2.5 inch square tubbing with .25 inch walls. I just bought some at $4.32/ft. The frames for the gates are going to have the most stress at the corners next to the posts. They will be only as good as the welds at these. You won't gain much from using larger or heavier tubbing, 1.5 in. with 3/16 walls should do fine. I'd think seriously about some diagonals. If not I use some flat triangle gussets at the corners. Think about how you'll mount the wood. You could use some 1' steel channel or some angle. I'm working my first major project in metal right now. A zero maintanence stair case. All steel and aluminum, with concrete treads. If you are not doing your own welding see what your welder recommends.
Thankyou mgmahan!
I will use your suggestions. For the wood, I would probably use some diagonals and bolt the wood on.
I would actually do the welding.
I have to have the metal delivered and I found a website. Do you have any suggestions for one that you think is recommended? Thank you again.
Where are you located? I ran my list through MetalsDepot, but ended up buying locally. Industrial Metal supply which is only in the southwest. You could pay a hefty delivery charge on that small order. Check for a local supplier.
I'm in NC and I looked at I was looking at Metaldepot too. I could not find a local supplier.