How to Build Your Own Double-Swinging Metal Gate

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A decent quality gate can be hard to come by. So, why not grab some bits of metal, your metalworking gear, and supreme skill to build your very own?

If this sounds interesting, then this handy tutorial will guide you through the process. 

Like any project of this nature, you'll need some tools and materials before you get started. 

Bits and pieces needed

For this particular build, you will need: -

• Rectangular steel tubing of various sizes
• Steel sheeting
• Expanded steel metal sheet
• Angle grinder
• Steel rods
• Magnetic metal welding clamps
• F-bar welding clamps
• Welding gear and safety equipment
• Steel barrel hinges

With all your materials in hand, it is time to crack on with the main build. 

Step 1: Cut the steel tubing to size

First off, grab your steel tubing, mark off 45-degree angles at the end, and cut off using an angle grinder. This is because you will be welding them together to form a frame later on.

Be sure to wear the appropriate protective equipment when doing this. Getting hot, sharp bits of metal stuck in your hands or face is not fun. 

Be sure to also remove any barbs from the cut edge once complete. You will need four long lengths of steel tubing and four smaller ones if you are going to make a double swinging gate. If you only opt for a single swing gate, half the number of tube lengths.

The dimensions will depend entirely on the final size of your particular gate(s). 

Step 2: Weld the steel tubing together

Next, use your welding clamps to build a frame using two longer, and two shorter, lengths of the cut tubing together prior to welding it. Once set up, weld the joints between the steel tubes as needed. As always, make sure you wear the appropriate safety gear when doing so. 

Once complete, also add two cross-members of straight cut-edge steel tubes for added strength, if required. 

With that step finished, use your angle grinder to smooth down and clean up the welds, as needed. Next, cut down small pieces of steel sheet with the same dimensions as the steel tubing. 

Now, cut some more lengths of larger rectangular steel tubing, and weld the steel sheet pieces to the exposed ends, as shown. These will form the main supporting post(s) for the gate. 

Smooth down and clean up the welds once again using an angle grinder. Rinse and repeat until you have two equally sized lengths of tubing.

Step 3: Create the gate hinges

Next, grab your barrel hinges and mark out where you want them cited on the main gate frame and supporting posts. Secure them in place using f-bar clamps, and weld to the frame, as before. 

Test their movement once complete, to ensure the hinges freely swing. You may also want to clean up the welds at this point too. 

Step 4: Add the expanded steel sheeting

Next, grab your expanded steel sheeting and cut it down to size to fit the holes in the gate's steel frame. Secure into place on the steel frame, if needed, and weld them into place. 

For best results, weld the corners first, and then move on to welding each of the expanded steel wire sections. This will be a little fiddly, so take your time and make sure the welds are nice and strong. 

Step 5: Create the gate's sliding bolt lock and latch

Next, cut a small square of steel sheet, and drill a pilot hole slightly off-center, as shown below. 

Next, expand the hole as required, and bevel the edges. Replicate the process for two more equally sized pieces of sheet metal. You will need three in total per gate. These will be used to hold the bolt lock.

With these complete, secure, and weld to the gate door where the lock will be located near their bases (the bolts will be used to secure the gates to the floor in a mortise). Add two in parallel and another perpendicular to these two on the gate's frame. The latter will hold the bolt's arm when opening and moving the gate.

Next, take a section of the metal rod a slightly smaller diameter to the holes you made in the squares of sheet metal previously. Mark off, and cut one length long enough to clear the two, bolt holes and have enough clearance to reach the ground mortise. You will also need to cut another smaller one to form the sliding lock handle. 

Weld the two lengths of cut steel rod together to form an L-shape. Once cooled, this should easily fit, and slide through the locking mechanism. 

Next, it is time to make the gate's throw-over latch. Take a readymade one, or fashion one yourself, and mark out where the securing bolt holes need to go. 

Then drill the holes, and bevel the edges. Now, line up the latch and secure it to the gate's frame using suitably sized bolts. 

Step 6: Paint the gate

If you want your gate to be extra special, you can now paint all the exposed metal surfaces. Either do this by hand or use a spray gun -- the choice is yours.

In either case, try to paint the gate in a well-ventilated space -- preferably outdoors. 

Step 7: Complete the gate

Once the paint has dried, the gate is effectively finished. Now all you need to do if required is dig the holes and lay some concrete foundations for the gateposts. 

Secure the gateposts within the concrete, ensure they are perfectly vertical and secure in place until the concrete is sufficiently cured. Once complete, the gate can then be hung on the hinges of the gateposts. Alternatively, you could assemble the entire gate at this point too and leave the concrete to cure.

If you opted for a double swing gate, you will also need to add mortise holes in the floor where the gates will sit once closed. You can also now add the throw-over latch between the gates as needed. 

With that, your DIY metal gates are now complete. Now all you need is an outdoor sink to go with that amazing gate of yours!