On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 6:42 AM, John M Johnston (jmjhnstn) <
jmjhnstn@m...> wrote:

>
>
> 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?
>
>
1 - I would worry more about the posts moving under the weight of the gate
if you go too thick.  That will be a beastly heavy (though very pretty)
gate at those dimensions

2 - I would think big M&T, plus pairs of pins at each joint would help with
the sagging. With no diagonal bracing, there will be stresses there.



-- 
Kirk Eppler, back in Half Moon Bay, CA, who has built an ugly gate or two,
and fixed many more.