Gate Overhead Project Almost Complete PICS

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

I started this in August and I am almost done with it. The other overhead was put in sometime in the late 70s and lasted until the carpenter ants made a home last summer.

It started by 100'+ Tamarack (Western Larch) trees that the neighbor cut down and skidded over for me. Larch is very hard (softwood) similiar to Douglas Fir but more dense and hard. It doesn't rot easy and is very straight grained. I have the same type of trees but only 10 acres. He has 500 acres and has been a logger all his life so he provided and did the cutting.

These trees are amazing and are probably 100 years old. The growth rings are so close together, you can hardly count them. The combination of elevation, short growing season and a condition called "misletoe" cause these trees to grow slow, straight, and with only limbs on the upper 1/4 of the tree.

My wife and I had to peel these by hand with a drawknife. It wasn't too bad but tedious. The bark on the butt log was about 3" thick and pretty tough.

I will post a few pics from start to where I have left off. I could not have done this without my JD tractor/backhoe!!

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

These are the gates that came off the old overhead. The wife wanted to use the same gates and try to copy the original design on the overhead. They are very heavy and I had to use the FEL to lift them and move to this location.

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

One peeled and more to go. They are heavy and I think around 40' long so the timberjack is needed to roll them over.

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

I cut one log into 21' sections for the posts. Each post is bolted to another smaller post for a bigger footprint. I smeared a black rubberized asphalt on the bottom 6' and wrapped it in tarpaper. Hopefully, this will keep the moisture off the sides. I didn't seal the bottom to allow any moisture to drain out of the post and into the surrounding gravel. The backhoe made it easy work on this part of the job. The last two pics are the finished products ready to go into the ground.

Farwell · Oct 29, 2005

I live in Mid Michigan and have a small barn that was made from Tamarack logs approximately 40 years ago. The wood is still in beautiful condition. Quite a bit of the bark has fallen off the logs and it is a little messy. Wish I had some Tamarack left on my property but most of it has been harvested in my general area.
Farwell

inveresk · Oct 29, 2005

Good work and nice project. The gates look great.

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

The ground here is full of large rocks (first picture behind the backhoe) and when you start to dig a "small" hole, it usually ends up being 3 times the size after the rocks are removed. I didn't want the hole anywhere this size but pulled out some huge boulders that were in the way. Luckily, I had 10 yards of gravel delivered to do this project and repair some roads. Lifting the posts went pretty easy. I didn't have help this day but did make sure I braced the posts during the process.

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

Ok, now the fun part begins. This is another neighbor (not the logger with the trees) and he build the trailer and the grapple from scratch. It isn't pretty but it works great. The top log is about 35 feet long and I guess 1000 lbs or more as it is fresh cut and still green. The straps are rated at 3000 pounds and I used two of them. We did build some temporary scaffolding to stand on. The top of the overhead is about 17 feet off the ground. I drilled through the top into the post and drove a 2' section of 5/8" bar into it like a big nail. I capped the hole with a piece of tin (lots of snow here). I will through-bolt an eyebolt to the post and outside of each end and attach the post and end with a turnbuckle and chain. Confusing but there will be a pic of it later. The turnbuckle helps keep the log on the top and keeps the structure from racking. The large drill broke half way through and I had to do these by hand with a brace and bit...

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

I used the old hinges and had to drill through to bolt these monster in. Yes, brace and bit time again. It wasn't bad as the bit was sharp and the log still green. In the pictures, you can see the turnbuckles in the corners helping keep this together. They are rated 2200 lbs and are 1/2". I could have gone bigger but didn't want to take away from the logs. I did get one gate up and need to measure and drill for the other. It has been snowing and is cold so I am waiting for a clear day to finish. The last part will be cutting the top log to size. One side is longer but I don't know what look I want until I see both gates up.

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

Tamarack is great wood. If you can keep it dry and take the bark off, it lasts for years. My neighbor has a stacked split rail fence out of tamarack that is over 100 years old. Makes great firewood too.

rox · Oct 29, 2005

I like the way you cut that smaller snuggling post at an angle. That was a nice touch, it is very pleasing to the eye. Now I am going to go on the internet and look up turn buckle.

Tom4310 · Oct 29, 2005

Thanks for the compliments and I would like to say I did it for the look but I did it mostly to shed water and snow. Turnbuckles are used to draw things together. I posted a link below to show where I had to buy these from.

Smith Fasteners

GeneD14 · Oct 31, 2005

Nice job! I really like how massive the gate is, it is gorgeous.

Tom4310 · Oct 31, 2005

( Nice job! I really like how massive the gate is, it is gorgeous. )

Thanks, the job was more than I had anticipated but they always are. I will finish drilling the other hinges and try and install the other gate tomorrow. They are calling for snow from Wed through Sunday so I really want to get these up. I will post a picture of the overhead before and after when it is all finished.

JustGary · Oct 31, 2005

( The last part will be cutting the top log to size.)

This may seem obvious, but you will probably want to cut the top log a little long at first and then trim it again. This will keep the weight of the free end from splitting the log.

In fact, I'd start with an undercut (but not enough to bind the saw) and then a topcut a few inches outside of that to help ensure that a split doesn't form on the bottom of the log.

After that, when you make the trim cut, the weight of just a few inches of the free end won't split the log. You may want to practice on a scrap in the yard first if you have one.

What a great looking entrance. Thanks for sharing it with us.

- Just Gary

Tom4310 · Oct 31, 2005

That will be the last thing because I want to see what length will fit. I cut firewood quite a bit and I will have to be careful because the piece will slab off if I just try to slice it off. I will make an undercut and then cut off small pieces. The long end needs about 2'+ off and that will weigh a few pounds and I don't want it crushing the already weakened fence below.

Thanks for all the replies. I did want to make notches, on the underside of the top log, for the posts to set into. However, when I was standing on the 16' scaffold trying to manuver the 35' log over my head, I had visions of me being killed by this thing. I am a retired fire captain and I can't tell you how many time I have heard "I thought it would never happen to me".

I was going to put the top log in place, mark it, take it down, cut the notchs and then put it back up but I figured I had pushed my luck too far and it stayed as it layed.

JustGary · Oct 31, 2005

For the 2 foot cutoff, a section of rope tied on and thrown over the beam (and held by a helper or your tractor) will keep the fence safe below. Just drape it loosely over the center of the beam so when the piece falls it will hang from the rope right between the gates.

I know what you mean about working at the top of something; it just doesn't feel the same as hard ground somehow, and if you loose your nerve you might as well quit right then.

Of course, ( I had visions of me being killed by this thing.) even if you decide to leave the pole long it still looks great.

Here's what I did in the air last weekend. The rafter ends are about 13 feet above ground on the downhill side, and the ladder just wouldn't stay outside of them for me to work. I had to bend backwards just to see the edge of the board. Several times I got torqued by the drill driving a screw and had to just stop and look out over the lake for a minute while I convinced myself to continue.

- Just Gary

JustGary · Oct 31, 2005

For completeness, here's a different view of the project. If I'd had room on the trailer, you'd see me standing in the FEL in the previous photo. Unfortunately, I had to haul the 2x4s and plywood decking, leaving no room for me to bring my best tool!

- Just Gary

Tom4310 · Oct 31, 2005

That is a great looking gazebo and what a beautiful setting. It looks great and please post pics when it is done. In your climate, you will be able to enjoy it year around. I have to get the other gate drilled and installed tomorrow or I will be working in the snow and ice.

I guess in my old age of 45, I am getting more careful when it comes to heights and getting hurt.

Thanks again for the replies, Tom

EddieWalker · Nov 1, 2005

(
However, when I was standing on the 16' scaffold trying to manuver the 35' log over my head, I had visions of me being killed by this thing. I am a retired fire captain and I can't tell you how many time I have heard "I thought it would never happen to me".

I was going to put the top log in place, mark it, take it down, cut the notchs and then put it back up but I figured I had pushed my luck too far and it stayed as it layed. )

Aint that the truth. I have all sorts of great ideas that change drastically when I'm above my comfort height. Then things take on a whole new perspective and my original plan gets modified to accomodate my fear of heights. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The entrance is amazing!! Very dramatic and impressive. Thanks for the pics and sharing your project.

Eddie