Galoots Assembled,

My youngest darling daughter has commissioned (commanded) me to make a front
entrance gate for their newly fenced front yard.  To communicate her desires for
design, she indicated I should study the gates offered at http://www.pr
owellwoodworks.com/gate/index.htm">http://www.prowellwoodworks.com/gate/index.ht
m  I've rootled around this website--excellent sharing of information, I
might add--to gather information about types of wood to use/not use for a gate,
and types of joinery, hardware, etc.

Here is where I am right now.  The gate opening is 51 inches wide, and the gate
should be no more than 48 inches at the tallest point.    Here is the
"inspiration" for the gate my daughter (picky client) has picked:  www.prowellwoodworks.com/gate/garden_gates_96b.jpg">http://www.prowellwoodwor
ks.com/gate/garden_gates_96b.jpg   The gate will be western cedar, as
pictured.

Here are my questions:
1.  I'm planning on using 1 1/2 inch thick lumber, though I could also go as
thick as 2 or 2 1/4 inch thick stuff.  Is 1 1/2 inch stout enough if the bottom
rail is 7 inches wide, the middle and top rails 4 inches, and the sides 5 inches
wide?  Do these dimensions seem sufficient to keep the gate stiff and prevent
sagging over time?
2.  I was planning on using basic hand cut blind mortise and tenon joinery for
the gate frame.  Should I also plan to use a drawbore pin at each joint?  Is
this the best joinery option for a relative wide exterior gate?
3.  What else am I not considering that I should be? 

Your help will be appreciated greatly.

Cheers,
John

John M. Johnston
jmjhnstn@m...
"P.S. If you do not receive this, of course it must have been miscarried;
therefore I beg you to write and let me know." - Sir Boyle Roche, M.P.