Thread: Building steel gates.

I'm just in the process of doing the same, and have decided on 50x25mm for the gate frame, because I want to use 16mm steel pipe as the insert. My gates will be 3.7m in total width, and I'm going to use hardwood sleepers for the posts, 2x 150x75mm x 1.8m bolted back to back.

On the farm we normally do 75x75x3mm or 75x75x4mm gal SHS for strainers and gate posts. The gates are normally 12 foot or 14 foot N stay gates (approx 40-50kgs, 1.2m high and made with 25Nb gal tubing and mesh). The post holes are approx 900mm deep and 300mm in diameter and the posts are cemented in. This seems to work well for us.

If the gates are larger or heavier (eg cattle yards) we'll make the hole closer to 1.2m deep but still 300mm wide. Also we'll look for seconds of steel for the posts as it is cheaper rather than structural or first grade steel.

Hope this helps.

I was also thinking of using cypress pine for the posts instead of steel, we are in a termite area so redgum is out of the question.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I was also thinking of using cypress pine for the posts instead of steel, we are in a termite area so redgum is out of the question.

4.2 metre 15 year old gate using 35mm pipe with mesh, as we have a wild dog issue occasionally. The concrete blocks are to keep our dogs digging plus I also lightly rest the gate on one. The post is "locally sourced"

My side gate is a 3m opening currently filled by two rotted picket gates... one attached to a brick wall, the other to a 6'x4' wood post along the fence line.

Wood post has bent over the years, so I'm going to excavate/replace it with 100x100 steel post.
Also thinking of a similar sized steel frame, or 25x45 and covered with open pickets, or corrugated steel. Whole structure needs to be robust, as we have 20 to 50+ km/h gully winds in summer.

Now, to dust off the unused MIG welder and learn how to stick steel together!

[QUOTE=superquag;2120179
Also thinking of a similar sized steel frame, or 25x45 and covered with open pickets, or corrugated steel. Whole structure needs to be robust, as we have 20 to 50+ km/h gully winds in summer.
[/QUOTE]
Geez mate, if you get those kinds of breezes I'd be ditching the corrugated idea for a more flow through design!
The gal mesh I've used is structurally rigid but lighter than other designs.
And remember the pikkies of the finished product

ALL timber will succumb to time no matter what. Do it right, do it once and use gal steel. Doesnt have to be HD gal, just dura gal etc.

Originally Posted by uninformed

ALL timber will succumb to time no matter what. Do it right, do it once and use gal steel. Doesnt have to be HD gal, just dura gal etc.

Steel, even galvanised, will eventually succumb too. And steel posts would not achieve the look that I want, so I would not consider that to be "doing it right".