Hi, this is my first posting, so please be gentle. 
I must have used this site a million times and its only just occurred to me to join the forum.
I recently took woodwork/joinery/carpentry up as a hobby; thanks to Norm Abram really. And too my suprise people were wanting to buy some of my work. People would ask me if I could build them something and if i could, i would. And if i couldnt, i would look up how too for future reference. Now, somebody asked me for a garden gate. I had never built one before, so i though how hard can it be. I decided on a framed gate, using mortise and tenon joints, then cladding vt+g on the front. But i struggle big time with the m+t joints and ended up screwing the joints through the sides in addition to the joints and glue. I then got it treated. I put it up at home, and it looked really, really good. Many people commented, and asked if they could have one.
That same night it rained...heavily. The next morning, my gate had fallen to pieces! I couldnt believe it. But then i realised, i hadnt used waterproof glue...only because i thought all glue was waterproof when dry. And the m+t joints were doing nothing, and when it swelled, even the screws struggled holding it together. Feeling very amateurish, i decided I had no choice...I removed an existing garden gate that had been joiner built and reverse engineered it. A costly exercise, but it has now allowed me to build a garden gate that is very strong indeed. And i have built several of these gates for friends already.
I have now been asked by friends of friends if i can build them a gate too. I dont want to let them down but i dont want to get it all wrong. A few things have been bothering me, so i thought why not join this site and see if I can put my mind at ease and further my knowledge and skills. The problems I have is this:
a) I can build smallish gates using 4x2 framed M+T joints with a top middle and bottom rail. However, for a bigger gate they will need bracing diagonally. Originally i was going to cut a diagonal piece and nail it in place, but i can see the weather affecting this. So, is this piece m+t, or could i use biscuits etc etc. I cant find any books or info on this at all.
b) Also, can anyone recommend an exterior glue that is best suited for gates like this, but not gorilla glue etc...to messy.
Any help is really appreciated and thanks for reading my first post
I must have used this site a million times and its only just occurred to me to join the forum. I recently took woodwork/joinery/carpentry up as a hobby; thanks to Norm Abram really. And too my suprise people were wanting to buy some of my work. People would ask me if I could build them something and if i could, i would. And if i couldnt, i would look up how too for future reference. Now, somebody asked me for a garden gate. I had never built one before, so i though how hard can it be. I decided on a framed gate, using mortise and tenon joints, then cladding vt+g on the front. But i struggle big time with the m+t joints and ended up screwing the joints through the sides in addition to the joints and glue. I then got it treated. I put it up at home, and it looked really, really good. Many people commented, and asked if they could have one.
That same night it rained...heavily. The next morning, my gate had fallen to pieces! I couldnt believe it. But then i realised, i hadnt used waterproof glue...only because i thought all glue was waterproof when dry. And the m+t joints were doing nothing, and when it swelled, even the screws struggled holding it together. Feeling very amateurish, i decided I had no choice...I removed an existing garden gate that had been joiner built and reverse engineered it. A costly exercise, but it has now allowed me to build a garden gate that is very strong indeed. And i have built several of these gates for friends already.
I have now been asked by friends of friends if i can build them a gate too. I dont want to let them down but i dont want to get it all wrong. A few things have been bothering me, so i thought why not join this site and see if I can put my mind at ease and further my knowledge and skills. The problems I have is this:
a) I can build smallish gates using 4x2 framed M+T joints with a top middle and bottom rail. However, for a bigger gate they will need bracing diagonally. Originally i was going to cut a diagonal piece and nail it in place, but i can see the weather affecting this. So, is this piece m+t, or could i use biscuits etc etc. I cant find any books or info on this at all.
b) Also, can anyone recommend an exterior glue that is best suited for gates like this, but not gorilla glue etc...to messy.
Any help is really appreciated and thanks for reading my first post
