How to Make A Welded Swinging Driveway Gate
Width of the Gate Frame dependant on type of hinge
Normally a swing gate will fit in between the posts with a gap each side that depands on what hinge is used. Double and Bi-Folding Gates will also have a gap between them of 5 to 20mm. It is important to consider the type of hinge you want to use first so you know how much gap to allow between the gate and post.
Rake Gate for Sloping Ground
If the driveway has any slope across it (camber) then its a good idea to consider raking the bottom rail and possibly the top rail too.
... more on Swing Gates on Sloping Ground
It's important to measure the slope of your driveway carefully to allow for any rises or dips so when the gate is installed it doesn't hit the driveway preventing it from opening.
... more on Measuring Swing Gates
If you do need to rake your gate then it's best to draw the profile of your driveway to scale from your measurements on paper or with your favourite CAD program. Then draw your gate allowing the bottom rail to be 50mm or so above the ground on average.
To find the angle or the slope either measure it on your drawing or use some math:
Angle = COS Rise/Width
The Angle is handy for cutting the material so if fits snugly making welding a lot easier because you don't need to fill in any gaps. The Mitred corners need to have half the angle added or subtracted to get this correct too. Best to write all this down on the drawing before you start cutting other wise it can get very confusing and mistakes can be made on the job.
The Diagonals are necessary to make sure your gate is the right shape before welding it together otherwise the end mullions may not line up with the posts correctly. You can measure the diagonals off your drawing or use some math:
Diagonal 1 = square root of ((Height - Rise)2 + Width2)
Diagonal 2 = square root of ((Height + Rise)2 + Width2)
Holes Drilled before welding
If your gate will have round vertical tubing fitted inside the frame then you should drill holes for these in the frame before welding, as this is quicker than fitting them all carefully inside the frame. If you have a middle rail the alignment of the holes is much more critical so you can slide them through.
Once you have all the components of your gate cut out and holes drilled (if needed) it's time to weld the frame together. If all you have is a small stick welder this will do the job although takes a little longer than a MIG or TIG welder because you need to chip the slag off but the end result can be just as good. If you choose to use Aluminium for your frame you can weld aluminium with a stick welder by buying Aluminium Rods.
If you have no welding experience it's not something you can pick up playing around on a Sunday afternoon you will need someone with experience to show you how to weld and need to practice on some scrap material first before attempting to weld a gate together. Welding classes are a good idea.
It's best to lay all the components out on a flat surface so they line up exactly with each other. If the surface you're laying them out on is uneven you can use small timber wedges to even it out and make sure it is all flat.
