Making a rustic Spanish style outdoor gate

[Lupe]

Dear Kreggers,

I received my Kreg 5 set and all the do-hickeys. Yes- I said do-hickeys. Still trying to learn all the parts.

I know we are suppose to start by building a worktable, but I saw this beautiful outdoor gate, I can't wait to get started. Is this a bad thing?

I searched the net for instructions on building a rustic door, but most talk about tongue and groove.  I have a couple of questions:

1. I have no idea what tongue & groove planks are except that I can find it at Home Depot.

2. If I don't use tongue and groove, can I make my door with my jig using pocket holes?

3. I read the part where it indicates to place vertical cross board strips to make it stronger. However, the instructions neglected to say how to attach them to the door.

4. If I want it to be as authentic as possible. I have no idea what kind of wood to buy-2x4x6?

5. I went to VanDykes and would love to attach the gates with the rustic hardware they sell. I think they are pretty heavy to lend to the authenticity of the door. What do I know-it's my first project.

I am attaching a picture of several doors. Does not have to be exact, but close

Thanks everyone.. I hope you can open the PDF file. That's the gate I really want.

[Tim Grace]

It doesn't matter where you start.  Mostly, it's the things that get us started that make us realize we need the workbench to do the work better.

1.  Tongue and groove is a joint in which the boards have a groove in one edge, and a small "tongue" on the other that fits into the groove.  This type joint can be used to allow expansion/contraction of the wood without showing gaps between the boards.

 

2.  Yes, you can use your jig to join the boards along the edge.

3.  The cross board strips are joined to the boards using screws or nails, usually through the strip into the slat boards of the gate.

4.  The wood you buy kind of depends on the area you are in.  Western red cedar, California redwood, black locust, teak and bald cypress are rot resistant woods suitable for outdoor use.  The gate in the PDF appears more as a door.  I'd use 2x dimensional lumber, probably CA redwood.  For a gate, 5/4 cedar or redwood.

Whatever route you go, enjoy the trip!

[Lupe]

Dear Tim,

Thanks a bunch. I live in El Paso, TX-It can get to 114 degrees. Yeah-the dry heat. I am looking up how to identify wood and what 2x4x8 actually mean. In your subtle way, I guess I better start with the Kreg bench. It makes sense. So- Would you please tell me exactly what kind of wood and size to buy for my gates? I really need your help in that area. I can go and purchase the door materials, as well as the wood for the Kreg bench.

As you can see, I am a real novice to this wood working hobby. I can't wait to get started. Right now I am You Tubed to death.

I just don't want to go to Home Depot and use the word do-hicky again.  I have been looking for door plans, but they all use tongue and groove.

I am assuming I need to purchase a nice thick wood in order to sustain the heavy hardware I want to purchase for it.

I figure if I look at the way some of the farm tables are built, I can figure out where and how to put pocket holes. You have been really nice about this. Thanks a bunch.

[Tim Grace]

Lupe,

We all started somewhere!  

A standard 2x4x8 is usually pine or fir. The dimensions 2x4x8 indicates that it the rough cut dimensions are 2 inches by 4 inches by 8 feet long. The finished dimension, after milling to make things smooth and somewhat straight is actually 1-1/2" by 3-1/2" by 8 feet long. The finished dimension is also called S4S (meaning "Surfaced four sides")  The 2x4s would be Ok for a bench, I would be hesitant to spend the energy to use them for the gate.  

Other wood will also come in the 2x4, but asking for cedar or other, just put the wood name in front - a cedar 2 by 4.  Not being sure of the dimensions of the gate/opening of the one in the PDF, I'd guess that the wood started as 2x6 (actually 1-1/2 x 5-1/2), cut and shaped to size.  The wood species, I can't even guess.

The pocket holes to join each 2x6 wood go along one edge of each, probably about 8" apart.  You will have to make sure that the pocket holes do not intersect the cut lines for the arch.

You can also look for gate plans.  The Kreg joint will also take the place of the tongue & groove.  So door plans you find using tongue and groove can be modified.  Keep in mind that some plans will include the tongue in the board width, some don't.  Draw out your plan on paper before heading to the HD. You will have to make adjustments depending on the width of your opening.

 

[James P. Cottingham]

I would think mesquite would make a nice "Texas" door but it may be too difficult to work with for a beginning project. One of the reasons they use the tongue and groves on those doors is to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood.