snobordir
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I was able to replace the broken posts of this fence compliments of some kind imgur friends and lots of “repost” jokes—thank you imgur! But I’m not sure if I did a poor job or if the gate was designed poorly to begin with. The left side sags a bit compared to right side where the hinges are. The hinges are also bolted to fence slats rather than something stronger.
View from the other side with hinges visible. They’re bolted into the 4x8 on the left side, but then just into fence slats on the right side.
The non-hinge-side of the gate just rests on these 90° metal pieces visible here. It takes a bit of effort to lift the gate onto them but it stays on them alright most of the time—sometimes the gate seems to twist a bit and won’t stay on all 3 metal pieces. I’m hoping to make it easier to open and close. Support it better somehow, maybe?
Bumping into the platforms has worn out the horizontal supports on the gate quite a bit.
Dpatgotbanned
First, it needs to be taller. A heavier cross bar should be used to keep it locked. Guards on top would go a long way. Some sort of rampart, maybe. A murder hole could help deter battering rams. As of right now, if you hear the name Grond being chanted, consider leaving through a secondary gate.
snobordir
And cross my fingers the Lothlórien archers arrive in time 🤞
Grizwald1
CT1space3DX
Here's an idea. Built in '87 it has never sagged. You've gotten good comments already about bracing and hinges on the main posts. You might consider changing to a double gate like this, but you still need to anchor to the 4x4's, and have good support on the fence boards. Best of luck.
snobordir
Oh that would be super nice instead of one big honker of a gate. Obviously more legwork but definitely thinking about this, thank you!
Calicious
This is the solution. @OP's braces are upside down and they should be cut to fit within the frame, not attached to the outside.
The bracing doesn't necessarily need to go from corner to corner. Going to the corner of the crossbar is enough.
IDontCareAtAllButIShould
The diagonal brace has to run from corner to corner. And attached firmly.
snobordir
Is the diagonal brace the two 2x4s that are currently in a V shape? You’re saying they should be like a forward slash / running from the hinge side at the top to the other bottom corner?
IDontCareAtAllButIShould
It should start at the top on the hinge side and the bottom on the latch side.
imgurmage
This is backwards. The top should be at the latch side and the bottom at the hinge side. This helps transfer the weight of the top latch side to the post at the bottom hinge side connected to the post and helps to prevent the gate from sagging.
imgurmage
1. If possible attach the hinges to the post in the ground.
2. Cross bracing is best if done this way (pic related), that way all the load of the far top end of the gate is against the sturdiest portion of the post. Ideally your cross brace should be a single piece of wood, but that middle runner is going to be in the way. Fit the bracing between the three runners in a line so they're wedged in tight.
Calicious
Exactly what I was going to say
snobordir
Ah this is such a great and clear image and answer, thank you. Do you think I need to have vertical 2x4s around the edges like in that photo? I suppose I could ditch the center horizontal 2x4 and basically rebuild the fence exactly like pictured. The hinges are attached to the post in the ground, the fence is just sandwiched between hinge and post (and a 2x4 filling a gap).
imgurmage
The way the gate in the image I posted is built is a frame with the fence boards nailed to it. The frame is screwed to the hinges, and the hinges are screwed to the post. That's the ideal way to build it.
If you want to put in the work to rebuild yours it could make it sturdier and lean less, but that's quite a bit of work. I personally would see if adjusting your cross bracing fixes your problem first. Remember you will have to "lift" the gate back to square before bracing it, and nail it in.
imgurmage
Also, the cross bracing should be nailed or screwed to the frame (what I called "runners" originally in your images). This will prevent it from working itself loose with heat/cold and dry/wet cycles.
LeftRightThere
https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTY1YjkxZmJldDZ2aWc5cXpqMjBldjUwaWdsanh3MWtqamFtZzVxNGdjYzU4MDlqbCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/o1BNU1jKCih7tK4dwj/giphy.mp4
wayzoftheitguy
your cross supports are backwards. they should start at the bottom and go up to the center. that way it supports the weight of the gate and not apply a pulling force
snobordir
Are those the 2x4s attached in a V shape? Are you saying it should be upside down? Or I guess…rotated 180° from the center point?
wayzoftheitguy
https://www.slidegate.net/what-is-the-right-way-to-brace-a-gate
wayzoftheitguy
yep, you also just run a single 2x4 across, bottom adjacent to the bottom hinge
snobordir
Awesome, thank you!
JediUrsa
Spikes with skulls on them
snobordir
Make sure the neighbors know who’s boss