Table of Contents
Materials and post installation
| Materials to use | |
| 100×100 (4×4) posts | 2400 (8ft) long. Can either be sawn (rough) or dressed (smooth). Must be of stock suitable for in ground applications. Posts should not be more than 2400mm (8ft) apart. |
| 100×50 (2×4) rails | Can either be sawn (rough) or dressed (smooth). Must be of stock suitable for exterior use. 4800mm (16ft) lengths will span 3 fence posts. |
| 150×25 (1×6) fence boards | Can either be sawn (rough) or dressed (smooth). Must be of stock suitable for exterior use. Fence boards should not touch the ground. |
| 100mm (4″) galvanized nails | To fix the rails to the posts |
| 60mm (2 1/4″) galvanized flat head nails | To fix the fence boards to the rails |
| Concrete | To concrete the posts into the ground |
Installing the Fence Posts:
(1) Determine the fence line and mark it out with a string line. Continue the string line 600mm (2ft) past each end of the fence line and tie each end to stakes hammered into the ground. Ensure the string line is taut and not touching the ground at any part.
(2) Push two small pegs into the ground marketing the center position of the two end posts.
(3) Next, peg the position of the intermediate posts along the string line, ensuring all pegs are equal distant apart and not exceeding 2400mm (8ft). Offset all pegs 50mm (2″) in from the string line. This is to establish the center of the post, as the posts are 100mm (4″) wide.
(4) Remove the string line and dig the post holes, 250mm (10″) square x 700mm (28″) deep. The pegs mark the centers of the postholes.
(5) When all holes are dug and cleaned out, replace the string line to its original position, checking the string line is not touching the ground at any part.
(6) Make a mix of concrete in a wheelbarrow at a ratio of 3 gravel, 2 sand and 1 cement. Add clean water and mix to a uniform consistency until wet enough to fill around the posts, yet stiff enough to hold the posts upright without the need of supports or braces. Of course you will need a wind free day. Carefully shovel 100mm (4″) of concrete into the bottom of every hole.
(7) Starting at one end, commence putting the posts in the holes. Using a plumb level against two adjacent sides, check that each post is plumb (vertical), and almost, but not quite, touching the string line.
(8) Fill hole with concrete to within 50mm (2″) of ground level. Check again the post is plumb and not quite touching the string line. Because of the depth of the hole, the concrete will support the post without the need for bracing, but not on a very windy day. Continue until all posts are concreted in.
This method saves a lot of time and lumber without the need of bracing each post, check the posts again for plumb (vertical) and that they are not touching (but close to) the string line. Leave until concrete cures.
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