I have a neighbor who has left-over 3/4″ copper pipe from some bathroom remodel a house or two ago, and mentioned wanting to do something with it, like a gate for her fence. She wanted to be able to see through it to watch the kids play as she was in the kitchen, etc.
I haven’t really pulled out the measuring tape and taken dimensions, but I’d figure from a glance the opening to be about 3′ on an approximately 6′ high redwood privacy fence.
Now I’m trying to figure out how (if possible) to make the gate simple (I’m thinkin’ Tees and elbows,) yet nice. And a bit more perplexing is how to make it hinge and latch. It would be possible to add wood the gate (picture frame or something) to allow for screws and hinges, but I’m wondering if that would just make the gate sag.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Replies
Doesn't matter how you make it.
Get it made, hang it up... And soon enough, some meth head is going to come along and steal it for the copper.
There are hinges for gates made of pipe (though usually the pipe is more like 2" diameter). You might be able to use pipe clamps and attach the pipe to one nice board like cedar or ipe and then use gate hinges on the board to the opening. Another idea would be to attach a couple flanges to the wooden gate post and T's to the flanges. The T's would be slightly larger in diameter than the gate pipe and you slide the gate pipe into the tops of the T's (which are running vertically). Have to put some kind of stop to hold the gate where you wanted it in the T's.
Here are a couple of wood gates we recently made. We used copper pipe in the top elements and also at the bottom.Real simple to mount the copper, just make wooden cletes and drill a series of holes in them matching the diameter of your pipe.
http://woodsshop.com/Wood_Gates_Wood_Gates.htmhttp://www.woodsshop.com
JoeWood .... whoaaaa...those gates are reallyyyyyy nice bro! Very natural and elegant in a simple pleasing way. Great flow about it all.
I love the bamboo too...not tacky in the least!
Nice work!
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Great stuff! That's what it's all about, nice use of copper too and I love the fan arbor. All the bestMichael------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
That's some real beautiful stuff there Joe. I'm impressed, and love the simplicity.
My interpretation of what my neighbor wants is somewhat more open than that, so that she'd be able to see through it to keep an eye on the kids.
Edited 4/29/2007 11:31 pm by SBerruezo
I'm not sure if I'm just tired, but I'm not quite following your second idea, mostly. Any way you could clarify or draw it out for me? I'll read it again tomorrow just in case I'm thinking differently.
Thanks
I don't know how to draw here, so I'll try again (by the way, "jigs and fixtures" (number 13, I think) posted a good idea about hanging it from bushings on "L" shaped screw-in posts). Similar idea to mine--imagine a "T" but turned 90 degrees so it's like so: l-- (top of it is running up and down and the stem is running sideways into a flange fastened on a gatepost). Slide a pipe into that (need two or three "T's" to keep the gate from falling in or out). You'll need something to keep that pipe (which is like one big hinge-pin and the 'T's" are the hinge barrel) from just sliding all the way down until it rests on the ground--have to solder collars on to keep it from sliding through the "T's". The thing could be built and then the T's soldered into the flanges when it's being hung. Problem might be in attacking flanges to the post, since copper flanges (there are such things, I hope) may not have screw holes to attach then to the post.
Anyone else help?
She could sell the CU and build a gate with the money.
LOL
Or you could build a frame and dril the top and botom rails to size and use the CU pipe for the balluster pieces.
I wonder if the search function would show any other uses for copper pipe?...
;)
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Those same thoughts ran through my head, mostly for simplicity of attaching hinges and latches. If I did the frame, how think would you figure the frame would have to be?
I'm guessing/hoping that Cu is going to keep the gate light enough that sagging won't really be an issue.
I would probably try to make the frame with 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" red cedar and use epxoy for all the laminations, leaving some slack atr teh copper/wood junction att eh top because of the differential in thermal expansioon. Epxoy in the copper at bottom so the drilled cup pocket does nopt collect water.Better yet, Epoxy the top but drill the bottom all the way through then condensation can drip free.How wide this gate?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Gate is about 42" wide, with both posts 3/4--1" out of plumb.
When you say laminations, are you talking laminating 3 3/4" boards together? Or just gluing up corners?
I do like the idea of just the epoxy on the top. Probably have to drill a bit more than 3/4" to allow for epoxy though, right? And 3/4" at the bottom allow for a nice look.
I usually laminate the pieces for something like this to avoid warping and twisting. No sense making a work or art and having it travel all over town like a cheap date the first time you turn your back on it.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Makes sense. And epoxy over Gorilla Glue or the like? I don't mean to second guess you, I just have an easier time getting gorilla glue than epoxy (aside from the 1oz tubes) around here.
I also assume there will be no issues with sagging, like there is with the existing gate?
Edited 5/5/2007 2:02 pm by SBerruezo
I have thought about something similar ... thought about, but not actually done!
As best I can figure it, you make the gate using two elbows on the latch side, and two tees on the hinge side. Now, for the hinge...
At the hinge location, sink a post into concrete. This post will be the largest piece of steel pipe, or rebar, that you can fit inside the copper tubing. Slip the assembled gate over the steel post, and the post will act as your hinge. With the post projecting out the top of the upper tee, you can weld / bend something to keep the gate from coming off.
Now, for the latch ... I believe that there are "cross" pieces made for copper tubing. You could use one of these to slide a bolt into the fencepost on the latch side. A little thought, and you can even make it lockable.
I never thought of those ideas, but they make good sense. I wonder if there would be any galvanic reaction problems with the post and copper. Painting might help a little. The other thing to figure out would be what to do with the top of the post. I thought about an elbow at the top, but I don't think it would swing right, and the steel would probably wear through the copper fairly quickly.
I'd also have to figure out if I could even sink something next to the existing 4x4, in concrete.
Thanks.
If it is just decorative, you could put a piece of PVC pipe in as a bushing and hang it on "L" bolts in the side post. It will just lift off however, so that might not be a good idea depending on where it is.