- 1). Sketch the gate, beginning with a rectangular wooden frame, braced diagonally from corner to corner. Indicate dimensions of the stiles (vertical framing members) and rails (horizontal framing members). The rails will be equal to the width of the gate. The length of the stiles will be equal to the distance between the upper and lower rails of the fence. Indicate the length and width of the infill planks and the spaces between them.
- 2). Set the chop saw to make 45-degree cuts and lock in place. Trim one end of a 2-by-4-inch plank to miter cut one end of the first rail. The framing planks are placed on the the saw table with the 4-inch surfaces horizontal and held firmly against the guide fence while cutting. Refer to your sketch to measure and mark the length of the longest side of the first rail. Cut the opposite end so the end cuts are divergent, not parallel. Repeat to cut the second rail.
- 3). Measure and mark a trimmed 2-by-4-inch plank to cut the first stile. Cut two matching stiles to length, again, with convergent end cuts.
- 4). Arrange the framing members on a flat surface to form a rectangle with mitered corners, like a picture frame. Using a drill with a driving bit and wood screws, attach one L-shaped steel bracket to each corner of the outside of the frame. Designate and mark one stile as the hinge-side of the gate and the other as the latch-side.
- 5). Lift the gate and slide a 1-by-6-inch plank under it, extending from the lower hinge side to the upper latch side. Center the width of the plank on the mitered joints of the frame. Use a carpenter's square to check the corners to make sure they are all 90 degrees. Trace the outer edge of the frame onto the diagonal plank. Remove the brace plank. Using a circular or jig saw, trim the brace on the traced lines. Recheck the frame for squareness and adjust the framing members as necessary.
- 6). Position the brace on the frame, again, extending from the lower hinge side to the upper latch side and centered on the mitered corners. Using a drill, driving bit and wood screws, attach the brace to the frame. Each end of the brace should be attached with six evenly spaced screws, three entering each rail and three in each stile. Turn the finished frame over. Place a scrap piece of 1-by-6-inch lumber under the unbraced corners to support the frame while you attach the infill pickets.
- 7). Mark and trim the infill planks if not previously trimmed to length. Test-fit the infill planks on the frame by positioning the center plank on the center of the frame, then adding planks to either side to fill the frame. If the outer infill planks overhang the sides of the gate, trace a line indicating the position of the outer edge of the frame onto the outer planks. Remove the outer planks and use a circular saw to trim on the traced lines. Replace the trimmed planks on the frame.
- 8). Screw the planks to the frame with two evenly spaced screws on each end and approximately 6 inches apart on the stiles. Your finished gate is ready for attachment of appropriate hardware and to be installed on the gate post.
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