Ed Turtle
Established Member
Hi, bit of a novice here with a limited selection of tools, but trying to learn and progress.
Basically I need a side gate for my house, which will be attached to the house on one side and then latch to a post on a half wall on the other side. I have made a few braced and battened doors which I am confident with, but this time I want to try and make a framed ledged door (maybe braced too if I need to - when do you need the diagonal braces?)
I can appreciate that this is probably more complicated than a ledged braced door, but in the future I will be wanting to replace other doors which I will want to be framed ledged doors, so I will be using this as a bit of a learning experience and for practice.
So, I'm not particularly confident with the door, or the frame. I am using reclaimed 4x2 rebated door lining for the frame, but I don't want a square frame really, as the rain could sit on the top, or I could plane the top edge to have a curve on top, would this be enough, or would I be better making a pointed arch? What joints would I use for the frame, I wont be using glue as its outside, but I think I will be painting it and the door. Would a screwed half lap joint be OK?
With the door I was going to use 4x2 pse for the top and sides, then 4x1 pse for the ledges in the middle and bottom. I have heard you shouldn't have a ledge on the bottom as its a rain trap, but if there's not a ledge there, how would you attach the battens? Do you just have the bottom ledge say 6 inches up from the bottom? I was thinking of using 4x1 but not tongue and groove, I was going to half lap them along the edge, so they are free to move but not have gaps. Would this work, or should I just get t&g? Finally, what method is best for making the frame, I've never done any mortice and tenon joints, but as I say I need to learn. Is this OK to use on an outside door? Not using any glue again, is this the best joint or should I screw a half lap or something else?
Is this going to work as a practice run for me, or should I just stick to a ledged braced gate?
Any other advice? I cant find much information about making my own doors!
Thanks, sorry for the long post!
Basically I need a side gate for my house, which will be attached to the house on one side and then latch to a post on a half wall on the other side. I have made a few braced and battened doors which I am confident with, but this time I want to try and make a framed ledged door (maybe braced too if I need to - when do you need the diagonal braces?)
I can appreciate that this is probably more complicated than a ledged braced door, but in the future I will be wanting to replace other doors which I will want to be framed ledged doors, so I will be using this as a bit of a learning experience and for practice.
So, I'm not particularly confident with the door, or the frame. I am using reclaimed 4x2 rebated door lining for the frame, but I don't want a square frame really, as the rain could sit on the top, or I could plane the top edge to have a curve on top, would this be enough, or would I be better making a pointed arch? What joints would I use for the frame, I wont be using glue as its outside, but I think I will be painting it and the door. Would a screwed half lap joint be OK?
With the door I was going to use 4x2 pse for the top and sides, then 4x1 pse for the ledges in the middle and bottom. I have heard you shouldn't have a ledge on the bottom as its a rain trap, but if there's not a ledge there, how would you attach the battens? Do you just have the bottom ledge say 6 inches up from the bottom? I was thinking of using 4x1 but not tongue and groove, I was going to half lap them along the edge, so they are free to move but not have gaps. Would this work, or should I just get t&g? Finally, what method is best for making the frame, I've never done any mortice and tenon joints, but as I say I need to learn. Is this OK to use on an outside door? Not using any glue again, is this the best joint or should I screw a half lap or something else?
Is this going to work as a practice run for me, or should I just stick to a ledged braced gate?
Any other advice? I cant find much information about making my own doors!
Thanks, sorry for the long post!