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I’m facing (two sides) a metal gate with 1x. This is in southern Califonia and I’ll be priming all surfaces and painting the kiln-dried lumber (redwood or cedar). The gate will have a layer of 1×6 t&g v-groove. Laid over that, to make a reveal, I’m going to attach a 1×10 frame. In addition, across the center of the gate will be a 1×10 cross piece (running across the 1×6 t&g). My question has to do with what kind of joint to use between all the 1×10’s. The longest 1×10 will be less than 10 feet. Biscuit joints would be easiest for me. I’ll try to attach a sketch of the gate.
I appreciate the wisdom on this board. Thanks for any suggestions (even outside the scope of the joinery!).
Michael
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Here's another try at the gate sketch.
*It depends on the look that you are trying to achieve. How rustic? Anyway, with the temperature and humidity changes that you will be dealing with, I would use a simple butt joint with no glue. This is just in case you have to replace a board. If you want a more polished look, you can use a glue joint bit in a router on one side of the joint and sand the other side to match. The bit I am referring to is a specialty bit for jointing plywood--it slightly hollows the edge for a glue-up, BUT DON'T USE GLUE.You could also use a half-lap or bevel the joints. These are all easy solutions (except maybe trying to find the specialty router bit). Remember that you can experience 40 degree temperature differentials daily, and you should consider this in the construction of the gate.Good luck, Sergio.
*Sergio,Thanks for the advice. You're suggesting not to use glue -- I assume because this will make the joint too tight and not allow movement due to weather changes (the gate does get full sun in the late afternoon). I can then more easily replace any boards that get damaged.However... if I make this a tight joint, there won't be any movement to crack the paint and let water in to make more problems. Instead of biscuits or laps, I was thinking of gluing and screwing a piece of backing board behind the butt joint (I'm facing the gate on two sides -- the backer board becomes part of the meat in the sandwich)...Again, I appreciate your sharing your knowledge. I'm still figuring this one out.
*looks neat Michael, don't even think of not posting a pic of the final product....how did the fence go?
*Nathan,Thanks for checking in. The fence is going (slowly but surely). I have most of my materials and will build it in a few days.I plan on posting pics when I'm done. Thing is, I can't open the image myself once I've posted it. All I get is a quicktime logo. Maybe I'll try a different browser.Michael
*Just a very late response that you may already know the answer to. Most residential gate openers have a 350 lbs weight capacity. You can push the weight factor but no matter how balanced that gate is the opener will wear out quickly.
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