www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Didn't know whether to put this here, woodworking, or in general.

Our wooden gate needs replacing. It leads from the front of the house into a small side alley (and historically the back garden before the previous owners extended outwards).

I've seen what the likes of Wickes and B&Q offer, and they don't look particularly strong or sturdy. Are there any better gates out there? Maybe made of hardwood. Current gate is approx 910x1825mm. I'd like one with an arched top. Doesn't need to be framed (as this limits what can be carried through) but I will need one post replacing.

Also the current gate has bogstandard T-hinges which have clearly sagged over time (the door sticks and I have to lift it up from the handle when it's been raining). What would be a better replacement?

We bought our gate off of a eBay shop and they make them made to measure if you want.

The t-hinges I used were these https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ironmo ... nge/p27304
But these are probably more durable https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ironmo ... nge/p92939

Mike

London mike 61 wrote:We bought our gate off of a eBay shop and they make them made to measure if you want.

Do you recall the details of the seller?
Thanks

910x1825mm.

which is the width and which the height ?? Can make a huge difference on where to buy or whether to make yourself...

1825 height
910 width

If I was faced with this issue I would consider making it myself using treated wood from a timber yard - they often machine and treat sizes to order -and galvanised furniture from an agricultural supplier. Not knowing where you are you could try SCATS or Mole Valley Farmers, in West Wales we have a chain of farmers' cooperative suppliers (ccfagri.co.uk) whose website is no good to you but whose branches stock all this type of stuff (and smell funny in the shop!).

They won't have a ready made gate but they will have hinges & latches that will last for years, like you would see on a farm. Of course you probably need an 'O' level in woodwork and some decent tools.

arco_iris wrote:If I was faced with this issue I would consider making it myself using treated wood from a timber yard - they often machine and treat sizes to order -and galvanised furniture from an agricultural supplier. Not knowing where you are you could try SCATS or Mole Valley Farmers, in West Wales we have a chain of farmers' cooperative suppliers (ccfagri.co.uk) whose website is no good to you but whose branches stock all this type of stuff (and smell funny in the shop!).

They won't have a ready made gate but they will have hinges & latches that will last for years, like you would see on a farm. Of course you probably need an 'O' level in woodwork and some decent tools.

Yes there are two sorts of galvanised fittings. One sort looks shiny, and the other sort looks greyer, and has a much thicker coat of galv. and is usually heavier metal.
You want the thicker coated ones. We have some here that are well over 20 years old.

One snag with this route that I should have mentioned is to make sure that the furniture purchased comes packed with (not somebody has opened the bag and nicked) all relevant fixings. One job I did needed a (one only) No.14 x 1" countersunk woodscrew, preferably rust proof, & they seem to be as rare as rocking horse droppings containing hen's teeth in a snowstorm in a desert when there isn't an r in the month of Sundays.

Well the ebay option was eye opening. Much more choice of wood (English oak, iroko, idigbo, redwood), design etc. Most offer delivery as well which makes life easier.