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BRADISH
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 12:41pm
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Hello All -
I am a ways away from building anything yet, but figured I would start my search for cheap materials.
For those of you with gates on your driveway, I am looking for smart design ideas, lessons learned, or any other cool hinge styles, etc.
So if you have a photo or story to share, I am all ears!
Thanks!
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 02:30pm
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When we were waiting to close on our property (it took 11mo.) I had a chance to meet many of the neighboring land owners. The question came up about 'gating' and 'signs'. I was given this advice.
New people, not from the area, not part of the local culture, tend to put up gates and signs. They basically advertise that they are not part of 'the community'. Some 'bad boys' seem to take that as a challenge.
So we didnt do a gate or signs, decided to act like we had been there right along, just more actively using the place now. So far, so good.
Only you can decide.
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BRADISH
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 02:43pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 So we didnt do a gate or signs, decided to act like we had been there right along, just more actively using the place now. So far, so good. Only you can decide.
That is certainly a unique experience!
One question for you - did your property already have a driveway established?
I only ask because of my specific situation. Our lot abuts the main access road in the area, and you can see the top of our cabin through the trees (if you know to look for it). Currently we have an agreement with the adjacent land owner, and his adjacent land owner to use their gated driveway. We extended the driveway of the closer neighbor where it splits over to our property. The agreement was just a handshake deal, with the condition that we would use it while building, and then construct our own once completed. Worked out to be a great deal for us.
With that said, we are just a few lots away from a public parking area that many folks use to park at to access their trail only access lots, so the road receives a fair amount of traffic (for the area). People tend to be fairly nosey around these parts and will wander around other peoples property. Currently because of our access through the neighbors, and the sloping hillside we are on, even if you see our cabin you can't determine how to access it. (A very nice feature while we have had multiple bunks of lumber sitting out!)
I fear an new, ungated driveway will invite far too much attention, and more looky-loos than I would prefer, seeing as we are away far more often than we are there.
I do see where you're coming from though..
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paulz
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 03:51pm
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You said cheap right? 
My ever evolving cheap gate has gone through several changes.
My place came with double chain link gates, albeit fallen over in the bushes. Might as well use 'em, so I did, and wired some sticks around the piping to hide it. Attached it to some logs I made an overhead support for.
The I decided I wanted an electric opener, so I got one and bolted both gates together into one. I used it for awhile but had to keep a battery out there, plus I like to chain lock it anyway, so took the opener off.
Then when I started having a lot of junk sitting around the yard, I put some old fence boards over it, and that's how it is now. Plus there is a motorcycle wheel helping hold up the end.
Not high class, but actually goes pretty well with the rustic fencing in the area. Some day I'll do a nice gate from scratch..
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 03:53pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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I use a common metal 5 rail gate, get a 16 footer, no exceptions. Attach your gate to a cemented in good railroad tie, then get a Spearco gate latch and then sink final railroad tie for latch end. The Spearco allows the gate to open in or out, carry s weight of person standing on gate. I do wrap a chain around post and gate (3/8" stainless chain) and have it bolted to gate so when its opened, the chain stays in place. Do both ends, so they cant steal the gate. My padlocks are the American A700 series with 7/16 hasp all keyed alike.
Gate hinge goes in inside of rail road tie, if you go on front or back, will open fully in only one direction. So keep hinge on inside.
Spearco 2 way gate latch
16 foot 5 rail gate
If you get lots of snow and plan on opening it then, set it up higher
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BRADISH
Member
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 04:02pm
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech The Spearco allows the gate to open in or out, carry s weight of person standing on gate.
That latch is pretty sweet! I have been wondering about good latch mechanisms so I will look into this!
Quoting: paulz You said cheap right?
Cheap is great! I like the evolution of your design haha
I am thinking I can weld the gate myself as I have access to cheap metal remnants often via our metal dumpster at work.
Photo attached of the current gate at my borrowed driveway. It works well enough to get the point across and deter the average person poking about.. I was thinking of something like this, but maybe only a single wider swing gate? I understand that would require more robust hinges though.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 04:07pm - Edited by: paulz
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Geez you drive earth moving equipment through there?
Agree with TMT though, 16 footer at least. I have a pretty tight turn off the main road, and with a long trailer to get through all the width helps.
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BRADISH
Member
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 04:16pm
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Quoting: paulz Geez you drive earth moving equipment through there?
Technically yes - I bring my bobcat through there all the time!
But the photo may be deceiving, the top rail of that gate is probably 4ft off the ground (when snow is gone) and its probably 20ft between gate posts.
I wouldn't do anything less than 16ft.
I have access to 8" pipe i could set down 8ft as a solid post if I do a single swing arm. Or I could do two swing arms and go with 4.5" pipe that I already have on site.
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jsahara24
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 04:26pm
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Agree with everyone in regards to the width.....My concern was always someone driving in and hooking up to my boat/trailer and stealing it....
So we did install a gate/fence at our entrance...Went with a simple double cattle gate hooked up to 6x6 set in concrete, and then a post and rail fence on either side to connect to the woods...
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BRADISH
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 04:28pm
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Quoting: jsahara24 So we did install a gate/fence at our entrance...Went with a simple double cattle gate hooked up to 6x6 set in concrete, and then a post and rail fence on either side to connect to the woods...
I see you are a snow recipient as well as myself.
Do you have any trouble with clearance for the cattle gate over the snow? How high do you have it set above grade?
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jsahara24
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 04:37pm
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Yes, we are in the lake ontario snow belt, lots of lake effect...we set the bottom of the gate about 2.5' above the ground and that has worked pretty well....
The snow has gone above it, but our snow is light and fluffy and you can open the gate through it without much issue....I'm not sure what kind of snow you guys get in AK but if its wet/heavy you could have some trouble.....
A normal winter puts us at about a 3' deep snowpack, with an average of >200" per year.....but we tend to get some thaws to keep it from building up too deep....
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 10:35pm
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Notice on that Speer latch, the part that bolts to the gate, the thru bolt is just under a rail, this keeps it from sliding if someone was to step on the gate to climb over it.
That lock on there is replaced with the American 700 series
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Irrigation Guy
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2022 06:42pm
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I did double 8’ gates. Because of the slope of the driveway I open them in most times but if there is snow I have to open them out.
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