How to build a garden gate?

I have another client who needs a replacement garden gate. The old one is
just worn out and sagging. I'm looking for tricks of the trade to speed up
the construction and make a more accurate gate.

Here's the old process:
* Measure.
* Cut three horizontal rails and lay them out on the ground.
* Align the vertical pickets on top of the rails.
* Fiddle around until everything is square (or skewed for a gate over
sloping ground). This step takes forever, and it's a royal pain if the
gate isn't supposed to be square.
* Nail on the pickets.
* Hang the gate.
* Shift the non-hinge end up and down to align the gate with the fence.
* Cut two diagonal braces and attach them to the rails.
* Nail the pickets to the diagonals.
* Attach the latch.
* Cut a strip to cover the latch-side gap.

I've done some internet searches for a better process, but I can't find
anything with details, just hand-waving explanations, and _none_ that
approach it from a production point of view. Everything is aimed at a DIY
guy who has a whole weekend.

So what say you? Who has the best process for building a garden gate?
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Simple question on Z-brace for gate
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  • Re: How to build a garden gate?
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    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: Simple question on Z-brace for gate
    ... >> but on a gate the stiles should go between the rails. ... grain to face grain contact that is pinned by glue. ...
    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: Gate - curved top - how to?
    ... pickets on a wood gate about 3-1/2 feet wide. ... The pointed pickets with spaces between them would begin at their ... Let it droop down the amount to get the curve you want. ... string and pencil to mark on the cardboard. ...
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