The gate

[wroughtn_harv]

It took all morning but I finally got all the hangers on away from Texas. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Then I started removing all the brush and stuff so that my scratch made "D" would show up.

 

[DocHeb]

I don't know if it freezes much down there, but if you used that stone up north it would adsorb water and then freeze in the winter. That would lead to spalling and stone dust in short order.

Do you need to use any sealer on the stone?

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Then I started removing all the brush and stuff so that my scratch made "D" would show up. )</font>

That is just awesome! G

 

[wroughtn_harv]

It doesn't freeze much down here. The Oklahoma sandstone isn't hard like stone but it isn't the softest stuff around either.

I will be using a sealer. It's the same stuff I use on stuff around fountains. The reasons for using the sealer is a fear of moisture finding a fissure and freezing--expanding or just weakening a section.

The stone is pretty solid with no visible fracture lines. So I am comfortable with it's integrity.

Around here we have soft limestone. Every now and then you'll see a newbie want to use it for landscaping. About three years later after repeated freeze--fracture-powdering they'll have a pile of dust. So I am aware of what you're talking about.

I once noticed a limestone boulder about the size of a car out in a pasture after they'd went through with a large water line. I asked the farmer why he'd allowed them to leave it. He explained that it would soak up water, freeze, break apart, soak up water again, refreeze, break into smaller pieces. In no time at all he'd have limestone which he'd plow into the field and all would be well.

The stone is done and ready to be installed into the gate. I'll be doing that later in the week. We got really lucky on it. When you see it I'm sure you'll agree.

I'm serious about getting lucky. Lucky is different from being good. Good only takes effort. Luck is like on the rock when I accidently turned it over moving it around and found the underside is the side I really wanted to work with. Luck is taking the cutting torch while doing something else and burnishing a scrap piece of the gate rock. Luck is a good thing!

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Tomorrow looks like rock fitted into gate day.

Here's the rock on a pallet ready for installation tomorrow.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

There was a couple of hours spent figuring out how to transport this monster. It's heavy. It's sensitive. And it can break!

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Backside view. Note the mounting studs.

The fit is so tight into the gate frame that I have to place it in from the front and then attach the mounting plates to the rock. Then I get to weld the mounting plates to the gate frame.

I'll be as nervous as double tailed cat crossing the dance floor installing this one.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'll be as nervous as double tailed cat crossing the dance floor installing this one )</font>

I can imagine. How'd you get the mounting studs fastened into it?

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue"> I'll be as nervous as double tailed cat crossing the dance floor...... </font>

Here's a little something to calm your nerves before the delivery.....turn your sound on and click here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(As usual harv, just incredible work.)

Don

 

[wroughtn_harv]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can imagine. How'd you get the mounting studs fastened into it?)</font>

I used Redhead three eighths by three inch concrete anchors. I also "lubed" them for ease of installation with an expoxy they use for granite countertops. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RobS]

Ya know Harv, some things in life are cool. Some are neat. Some things pretty much stink. Many things are just kind of "there". Then every now and then, something comes along and all you can say is... WOW. You've made yet another one of those things. Can't wait to see the installation /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dummy]

That's almost just plain mean! Think Iris has a MP3 player onboard? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

We got lucky.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

While I was prepping the gate, grinding welds, painting. I had a bud make a wood assistant for placing the rock in place.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

prepped gate

 

[RobS]

Something tells me there wasn't a bit of luck involved in that Harv. Pure artistic skill. WOW /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Iris, wood assistant, bud, and me working like a tabernacle choir. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

It went in like grass through a goose, big grass, small goose /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[RobS]

Something tells me that's adding up to be a pretty heavy gate. What are you using for hinges? Hate to see the longhorn state sagging over the years /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif