When we built our house, we didn't think we'd need a gate in the privacy fence, but later changed our minds. My builder charges over $800 for a gate, and they use some proprietary rail sizes that I couldn't find anywhere. So I decided to repurpose an existing 3-ft section of fence to make my own gate:
- I bought 2 new 4x4" vinyl posts for the gate uprights which needed new holes for the old fence rails. I clamped the jigs in place and a top-bearing flush trim bit to route out the holes.
- The existing 5x5 fence posts became the gate posts with the addition of 5x5 aluminum stiffeners and gate hardware. I covered the old rail holes with these custom PETG covers.
- I designed the jigs and covers in F360 using parameters so you could modify the .f3d files if you need different sizes. I also designed the gate in F360; let me know if you want that file.
- Total cost was less than $250 and a few days work.
Jig Settings:
Filament Prusament PLA
Nozzle 0.6
Layer 0.35mm
Supports no
Fill 10% gyroid
Perimeters 2
Temp 215
Cover Settings
Filament Generic PETG
Nozzle 0.6
Layer 0.20mm
Supports no
Fill 15% gyroid
Perimeters 2
Temp 230C/240C
The author marked this model as their own original creation.