ADVICE PLEASE - Making a metal gate/door from 25mm box ??

[bilabonic]

Hi All

I plan on making a metal gate out off 25mm mild steel box section with a piece of galv sheet riveted to the front.

I intend to make the frame/door frame as one unit so that it can then be fixed between two 9" block walls.

Has anyone done this or got a plan/layout ??

I also plan on getting the box frame 'hot dipped galvanized' before i attach the sheet.

What thickness galv do i require ? and what size rivets ??

Also how would i go about fitting a slide bolt 'tidily' for a good finish ???

Cheers

[dewaltdisney]

Hi Bilbs,

Did you sort your shower trap blockage out?

DWD

[bilabonic]

Yes mate. Used one shot. Sorted it no problem.

[mikew1972]

Gate width and height please.

[bilabonic]

34" wide. 80" high.

That is the opening and wall height so frame needs to be included.

[Hitch]

I'd go with 30 box myself....bit stiffer-

Can you get away with 2000mm high- then you would only need to buy a 2000x1000 sheet, instead of 2500x1250.
Thickness...what is the door on? What is it doing, security etc...About 1.2mm would be ideal.
Rivets, 4.8x10 would be about right for that.

If you are having it hot dip galv'd, dont forget to put in your vent holes and drain holes....or they will charge you for the priveledge of putting holes in with a gas torch at £1+ a go.

Frame, it isnt very big, id be inclined to have full height verticles, then cut 4 bits the same six to go top and bottom` and 2 in between. The galve sheet will take the place of diagonal bracing.

Bolts, is it a tower bolt on the outside you are thinking of? Incorporate a piece of plate, 3/4/5mm into the frame, welded to the verticle piece and also one of the horizontals. Grind the weld flush on the side where the sheet will go. Fit the sheet, then put the bolt on the outside and bolt through the plate and sheet.

What hinges are you using?
Is the frame to be steel too?

[bilabonic]

Thanks for the reply Hitch.

I will make it from 30mm/3mm thick box. (comes in 7m lengths)

The only size sheets i can get are 2.5 x 1.25 (i only priced the 0.9mm and thats £23+Vat)

I doubt i would need drain holes with box section as the frame would either be open ended or sealed with weld (horizontals)

I also need to make a frame support and fit the door frame to it with hinges (what size ?), i plant on welding them onto door frame/main frame.

I also need to consider some sort of door stop, a VERY small length of flat tacked on around the main frame...

Cheers

[bilabonic]

Might seen obvious but does a 4.8mm rivet require a 4.8mm hole. I have seen loads of 12mm ones but not 10mm long.

[Hitch]

Thanks for the reply Hitch.

I will make it from 30mm/3mm thick box. (comes in 7m lengths)

The only size sheets i can get are 2.5 x 1.25 (i only priced the 0.9mm and thats £23+Vat)

I doubt i would need drain holes with box section as the frame would either be open ended or sealed with weld (horizontals)

I also need to make a frame support and fit the door frame to it with hinges (what size ?), i plant on welding them onto door frame/main frame.

I also need to consider some sort of door stop, a VERY small length of flat tacked on around the main frame...

Cheers

You DO need drain and vent holes, for the galvanising process.
Fair enough on the sheet, not everywhere keeps 2x1s in stock.

Rivets, drill a 5mm hole, 12mm long ones would be fine.

Doorstop, just tack a small bit of plate on no need for a full strip usually. You could also cut the sheet larger than the door its self, and have an extra 25mm or so to cover the gap between the frame and door when closed, on the top, and lock side.

Hinges, can be a bit of a pain with galved stuff. Too tight and the galv will jam them up, too loose, and the door will rattle around.
What we tend to do is use stainless hinges, drilled and tapped into the doors and frames after galv.
This sort works well, http://www.hingesandhardware.com/weld_o ... inges.html but be prepared to mess around cleaning the pin up, and drilling out the barrel after galv.