Custom Ranch Driveway Gates in Columbus, Ohio: The ‘Whitetail Oak’ Project
This custom 12-foot dual swing driveway gate project showcases the quality of Columbus, Ohio driveway gates designed and fabricated by JDR Metal Art. Installed for a local client not far outside the I-270 loop, this heavy-duty steel entry system features our signature ‘Whitetail Deer & Oak Tree’ plasma-cut art, proving that functional security can also be a beautiful landmark for your property.
12′ Dual Swing Oak Tree with Whitetails
Designed, Fabricated, Powder Coated & Installed by JDR Metal Art
with Liftmaster LA 500 commercial grade automatic operator System
These ranch driveway gates were a fun project from start to finish and will look great at their new home for many years to come. JDR Metal Art designed, built, powder coated & installed this 24v solar-powered automatic gate system.
12′ Driveway Gate Design
We began with the 12′ dual swing gate design (a modification of one of our other tree driveway gates). Four whitetail deer and three turkeys are gathered under an oak tree. We also ended up adding to it a 14′ tall overhead arch with our customer’s ranch name plasma cut in a neat and attractive font.
Here’s our initial design concept; each steel driveway gate panel is exactly 6′ wide at the frame. The total opening between the posts is 12′ 10″ which allows for hinge spacing and a center gap of approximately 1″.
Custom Gate Fabrication in Columbus OH
The frames for our steel gates are typically fabricated from heavy duty 2 x 2 x 1/8″ & 2 x 2 x 3/16″ tubing. These pickets for the inside of the frame are 1 x 1 x 1/8″. The joints are cut with miters and given a slight gap for maximum weld penetration. Here’s how the frame looks after saw cutting and fabrication:
Next we are locating and placing the gate opener bracket for the LA 500 driveway gate opener.
Once the LA 500 bracket has been welded to the backside. In this case, it’s a “pull-to-open” gate opener installation setup.
After MIG welding the steel base plate to the posts…
This gate opener system is spec’d for Liftmaster LA 500 Gate openers
Our gate opener/operator of choice for this project is the Liftmaster LA 500 system. It’s a 24 volt DC commercial duty system which offers twice as much voltage (power) as the 12v systems. Liftmaster has become a household name over the years with great brand recognition, unsurpassed quality and excellent customer service.
For automating this ranch entrance we installed the LIFTMASTER LA 500 dual swing gate opener system. The gate opener and photo eye brackets were welded in place on the gates and posts prior to powder coating.
LA 500 gate opener bracket on 4x4x1/4″ steel tube:
Photo Eyes
Building the stands for the photo eyes. The photo-eyes play an extremely important safety role in this project. The holes in the stands are drilled and tapped for ease of installation on site.
Keypad Stand
The custom-built steel keypad stand is much better than the typical paper-thin steel ones.
Locating the photo-eye so it’s in line with the reflector on the other post.
Plasma cut turkey strutting in the grass.
Overhead arch for “Take a Chance Ranch”
Lettering is cut from 3/16″ sheet steel, welded to a rolled 2x2x1/8″ square tube. Will be welded to the top of the gate posts with flux-core/gasless welder.
Custom Plasma Cut Ranch Brand:
One of several signs we cut from 3/16″ steel for our client to put up around the ranch. Go here to see more ranch gates.
Posts & Small Parts Racked for Powder Coat
Here are most of the smaller parts required for this job, hanging from the powder coating cart.
Powder Coated Driveway Gates
Our favorite black powder coat – 60% gloss – is a “super-durable” grade powder coat made especially for high UV outdoor exposure. It looks great for many many years without the typical premature fading and/or peeling of a liquid coating.
Wet vs Dry Painting
Traditional paints are generally known as wet paints. Powder coating is called dry paint because it is applied in the form of a dry powder and there is no need for industrial solvents to dry and is thus green friendly.
Once the powder is applied to the parts, the parts go into a propane-fired powder coat oven where they bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. As the parts heat up a chemical reaction occurs and the powder turns into a gel at first and then fully cures into a tough finish as it cools.
A powder-painted finish is much tougher than a liquid painted but without the extended cure times which liquid coatings suffer from, generally weeks to a month or more. Whereas a powder-coated gate is fully cured upon baking; liquid-coated gates are often still far from fully cured during the time of delivery & installation, thus leading to easily scratched and rubbed off paint finishes due to handling parts with a yet uncured finish.
Driveway Gate Installation
Time for driveway gate installation. We begin by laying out the dimensions with a tape measure and marking the areas we’ll be working. We need holes for the gate posts and a trench between the two posts for the electrical and control wiring.
Gate Posts Holes And Trench for Control Wires
Holes have been drilled 40″ deep with a 24″ wide auger. The dummy base plates have been set in place with the threaded rods in their final resting place.
Setting Template for Overhead Posts
The posts for the overhead arch are 14′ tall. It’ll be easier to install a template for threaded rods which will be buried in concrete to support them.
Pouring Concrete
Before pouring the concrete it is necessary to fasten the rods in place so they can not shift while the hole is being filled.
Once the concrete is sufficiently set the posts will be secured to the threaded rods via galvanized nuts.
Liftmaster LA 500 photo eye
The photo-eye is a safety device that monitors the entry opening for obstructions in the pathway of the gate during the open/close cycle. Like a garage door, it reverses the course of the opener when an obstruction is sensed in the pathway of the gate. This newest model also has an onboard thermostat and heater.
About JDR Metal Art
Based in Columbus, we specialize in custom driveway gates for Ohio farms, estates, and homes. Whether you need a solar-powered ranch gate in Hilliard or a modern entry in New Albany, we design, build, and install it all.
Project Location: Lancaster, Ohio (Southeast of Columbus, OH)
Scope: Design, Fabrication, Powder Coating, Installation of Automatic Opener
Frequently Asked Questions: Columbus Ohio Gate Projects
Do you fabricate your driveway gates in Columbus, Ohio?
Yes. JDR Metal Art is a family-owned business located right here in Columbus. While we ship nationwide, this featured Whitetail Deer & Oak Tree gate was designed, cut, and powder coated at our local facility. We offer full design consultations for local clients looking for custom driveway gates in Central Ohio.
Does a solar gate opener work reliably in Ohio winters?
Absolutely. As seen in this project, we installed a heavy-duty solar opener system that functions year-round, even during cloudy Columbus winters. The key is correctly sizing the solar panel and batteries. To learn more about how we configure these systems for reliability, visit our Gate Openers & Automation Guide.
Can I customize this deer design for my property?
Yes. This 12′ dual swing gate is just one example. We can scale this Oak Tree design to fit 10′, 14′, or 16′ openings, or modify the art to feature elk, horses, or other wildlife. Explore our full range of animal-themed designs on our Wildlife Driveway Gates page.
Should I choose Steel or Aluminum for my Ohio driveway gate?
For this specific project, we used heavy-duty steel because the customer wanted maximum impact strength. However, for many Ohio homes exposed to road salt or moisture, we recommend Marine Grade Aluminum because it is 100% rust-proof. Unsure which is right for you? Read our detailed comparison on Steel vs. Aluminum Driveway Gates.
Ready to start your own project?
Whether you are in Columbus or California, we can build the perfect entrance for your land. Request a Free Gate Quote Here »
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation.
Best regards!
JDR Metal Art