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Bracing 4x4 wood gate post Question
I’m trying to figure an accurate estimate for putting in a 4ft high Field Fence, but I want to use a 2 piece chain link Gate from Home Depot. I was thinking of using a 4x4 posts even for the cross brace, but I’m having second thoughts after seeing it drawn out in Sketchup.
What do you think and should I do this differently?
What do you think and should I do this differently?

JohnnyB
I’m a die hard DIY guy. Don’t tell me to hire someone for what I can do myself.
Last edited by Sleeper; 10-10-2015 at 10:49 PM.
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Switch the angle of your braces... Keep the strength against the sag of the gates.
The Following User Says Thank You to asevereid For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-10-2015) |
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Switch the angle of your braces... Keep the strength against the sag of the gates.

JohnnyB
I’m a die hard DIY guy. Don’t tell me to hire someone for what I can do myself.
The Following User Says Thank You to Sleeper For This Useful Post: | asevereid (10-10-2015) |
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I'd use the stainless cable you described, with a turnbuckle. That way, you can tighten it up later if you need to.
The Following User Says Thank You to Quickstep For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-11-2015) |
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I'd use the stainless cable you described, with a turnbuckle. That way, you can tighten it up later if you need to.
JohnnyB
I’m a die hard DIY guy. Don’t tell me to hire someone for what I can do myself.
Senior Sawdust Sweeper
Might eventually need to run the cable on the gates themselves to correct any sag they acquire over time.
The Following User Says Thank You to Gary Beasley For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-11-2015) |
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Might eventually need to run the cable on the gates themselves to correct any sag they acquire over time.

JohnnyB
I’m a die hard DIY guy. Don’t tell me to hire someone for what I can do myself.
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Thanks It did look a little weird to me but at first I was thinking of using a steel cable as my brace and stayed with the same direction for some reason.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something -Plato
FrankC
http://sawdustmaking.com
http://woodworkerglossary.com
The Following User Says Thank You to FrankC For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-11-2015) |
I don't think anyone's saying the gates themselves will sag, just that the weight of the gates could cause the post that it's attached to to curve, causing a sag like effect.
The cable idea sounds interesting but I think a 2x4 brace would be just fine. Just change the angle/direction of the one in your picture as was mentioned.
The cable idea sounds interesting but I think a 2x4 brace would be just fine. Just change the angle/direction of the one in your picture as was mentioned.
The Following User Says Thank You to Chamfer For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-11-2015) |
I replaced the 4x4 braces in Sketchup with 3/8” cable and now I’m wondering if I really need the top 4x4

JohnnyB
I’m a die hard DIY guy. Don’t tell me to hire someone for what I can do myself.
Here's a bit of first year engineering regarding trusses. The loads from the gate acting on the gate posts are such that the outer top 4x4 and the outer post are what are called "zero force members." In other words, all the loads will be carried by the cable and the other two members are not doing anything but looking good. Your intuition is correct.
The Following User Says Thank You to terryh For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-13-2015) |
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... and the other two members are not doing anything but looking good. Your intuition is correct.
I like the idea of the top horizontal 4x4 as a design element in the general appearance of the fence.
It completes the frame concept with the adjacent posts.
My back-alley and side yard gates are sort of like that = I don't know how many times I have needed a flat spot to set something down "just for a minute."
Or, run the verticals up as high as allowed, add a bit of trellis wire and plant grape vines.
It completes the frame concept with the adjacent posts.
My back-alley and side yard gates are sort of like that = I don't know how many times I have needed a flat spot to set something down "just for a minute."
Or, run the verticals up as high as allowed, add a bit of trellis wire and plant grape vines.
The Following User Says Thank You to Brian T. For This Useful Post: | Sleeper (10-13-2015) |
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