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How to make a Sliding Gate
do-it-yourself wooden sliding driveway gate
woodworking projects from the do-it-yourself carpentery workshop
  




Sliding Driveway Gate Project
bullet Page one: Introduction
bullet Page two: The gate plan, wheels and the latch design
bullet Page three: Preparing the grade for the track
bullet Page four: Installing the track and measuring the gate height
arrow Page five: Making the gate
bullet Page six: Installing the gate and end stop
bullet Page seven: Fitting the Latch and guide rollers
bullet Page eight: Updates      User Photos/Comments/Help
See how the gate works
see the video of how the sliding gate works

Making the gate

I knew the sliding gate would have to be strong and built well to minimize any warping.
I decided on a design like interior house wall, comprising of a 'wall frame' with lining (covering) on both sides of it. You can see the frame plan here
Having both sides of the frame covered and braced with plywood should help to prevent warping, as any movement in the wood (such as shrinkage/expansion) should be equal on both sides, therefore cancelling any forces that might cause the gate to warp.
I made the frame out of 2"x3" (75mm x 50mm) lumber and covered both sides with 1/2" (12mm) plywood.
The plywood (nailed and glued adequately) would act as a brace. I also incorporated additional diagonal bracing into the frame.
I also ensured that the frame was well fixed with nails and metal strap, the plywood was well glued and nailed, and that there was a good covering of paint.

Below is a sequence of photos showing the building process, followed by an explanation of each photo.

top and bottom gate plates
studs in place ready to be nailed
lattice holes made in the gate frame
intermediate studes added to the gate frame
blocking added to the gate frame
metal strap added to the gate frame
metal strap fixed to the stud
the gate frame being staightened
plywood going on the gate frame
more plywood going on the gate frame
the gate frame turned over
preparing to brace the frame
diagonal bracing being fixed in the gate frame
plywood added to the other side of the gate
the trim being fixed around the edges of the gate
the gate is finished. Ready for paint and hardware
the gate is painted
the wheels go on the sliding gate

Fig.1 The top and bottom plates placed together so that the stud positions can be marked.

Fig.2 The plates spread apart on the ground and the studs positioned on the marks.

Fig.3 The window holes made (for the lattice).

Fig.4 The intermediate studs positioned and fixed.

Fig.5 A row of blocking fixed in place.

Fig.6 Metal strapping around the plates fixed to the tops and bottoms of the studs.

Fig.7 A closer look at the metal strapping.

Fig.8 The plates made straight using a string line and packers.

Fig.9 1/2" (12mm) treated grooved plywood glued and nailed in place.

Fig.10 More 1/2" (12mm) treated grooved plywood glued and nailed in place.

Fig.11 The frame turned over.

Fig.12 Diagonal bracing lengths laid in place to be marked for cutting.

Fig.13 Diagonal bracing pieces glued and nailed in place.

Fig.14 More 1/2" (12mm) treated grooved plywood glued and nailed in place.

Fig.15 The trim glued, nailed and clamped in place.

Fig.16 Clamps taken off, ready for painting.

Fig.17 The painting commences.

Fig.18 The wheels are fixed to the bottom of the sliding gate.

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