Step 6: Attach the panels

attaching the panels of a picket fence to its post
Photo: Kolin Smith
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With the panel propped in place, put the next post into its hole so its front face touches the mason's line. For mortised post, adjust its height and slide rails into mortises.

Adjust post side to side so picket-to-post gap equals picket spacing.

Fill hole, as in Step 2. Check post and pickets for plumb.

Secure each rail with 2 1/2 inch screws.

Repeat Steps 3,4, and 6 until fence is complete.

Next

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    More in Yard & Garden

    Tools List

    Close
    • four-foot level
      Level
    • post hole digger
      Gibbs posthole digger,
      for digging 10-inch-wide holes 32 inches deep
    • mason's line
      Mason's line
    • seven-foot tamping bar
      7-foot tamping bar (or a 6-foot 2x4
    • pointed shovel
      Shovel
    • 7 foot digging bar
      7-foot digging bar,
      use flat end to cut roots; pointed end to pry out rocks
    • drill
      Drill/driver,
      for screwing through posts into rails
    • circular saw
      Circular saw,
      for trimming posts and panels, if necessary
    • tarp
      Tarp,
      to hold soil dug from postholes
    • 16-foot tape measure
      Tape measure

    Shopping List

    Close
    1. FENCING

    2. FENCE POSTS

    3. 2 1/2-INCH GALVANIZED SCREWS

    for attaching fence rails to posts



    4. WOOD WEDGES FOR PROPPING PANELS IN A LEVEL POSITION