Rebuilding property entrance fence and gate; post-mortem on 25+ year old 6x6 PT posts

[rbstern]

I kept my gate open for 15 years and never had an issue. But my wife kept after me about locking it up because it would only take that one time that somebody came in and did something. Now that we have the gate opener in and it's working properly, I'm happy to have it. There is a more secure feeling knowing that the gate is closed all of the time.

I hear ya. In a perfect world, I would prefer closed, with reliable, digitally control motorized action. But there's a convenience to open. Maybe if we get to a phase where we are away from the property more often, I'll do motorized.

 

[rbstern]

Just stonework left to do. Form on the far left pedestal will come off tomorrow, and we should be able to finish it up this weekend.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I first did cultured stone a long time ago, I used regular mortar to install it. That worked fine, but you had to have the mix just right for it to stick. Then one day I had a fair amount to do and I wondered how tile thinset would work? It's more then twice the money as brick mortar, but the difference in installation is night and day. I will never use mortar again, it's worth the extra money using thinset in how easy it sticks, and how long you can mix it up and use it.

 

[rbstern]

Will pass that along to the wife. She's the mason in the family. This is her fifth project with those stones (breezeway step, pond dam wall face, greenhouse water table, accent wall in basement). She seems to have mastered it. I am happily content to mix mortar on her orders: "More water" or "more mortar".

She will certainly be interested in the thinset comment.

 

[EddieWalker]

I forgot to mention that I use less thinset then I used when using mortar. I apply the thinset to the back of the rock with a half inch by half inch tile trowel and stick it to the wall. The mortar, I had to put it on the wall, then put it on the rock, and then push it all together. for it to stick well. And I had to be careful not to go too tall on the rock with mortar as it might get too heavy and a big section of it would just fall away. Mortar isn't very good at sticking to anything.

 

[TractorGuy]

Nice looking gates!

We went back and forth on something similar but couldn't justify the expense over farm gates.

I set mine in deep enough to make room for my truck and trailer.

We weren't having any theft trouble but the wife came home and found a property appraiser behind the house unannounced. That and lost people looking for neighbors kept driving into our property and turning around in the front yard at all hours of the night.

I like having my gates closed and being able to open them without getting out.

 

[bcp]

Someone who only closes their gate when they are gone is signaling an observant thief.

Bruce

 

[rbstern]

Nicer weather finally allowed us to finish the project with staining and a couple of solar LED lights.

 

[yanmars]

Looks good.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks really nice!!!