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Replies

• 

  Andy Thorne July 10, 2010 at 10:47pm

  Paul
  
  How about ask a fencing firm if you can spend a few days helping them in the winter(when you're quiet) in exchange for some lessons whilst on the job?
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  Anthony Toop July 10, 2010 at 11:25pm

  Read up on the general technique online, then agree to smaller, easier jobs and ease yourself into it. For bigger jobs its definately a two man thing as some times two hands just arn't enough!
  I appreciate you don't want to take on something you're not sure about, but once you 'have a go' as with most things, from then on its far less daunting ;-)
  Maybe some one else on LJN, local to you could offer some on the job training?
• 

  Steven Whitaker July 11, 2010 at 1:46am

  Watch out for six foot fences because you cannot do them on your own! If a fence has been there in the past, always start off with a half panel, that way you are not digging out old post concrete every six feet, and definately erect one post, attach the panel to it and then do the next post -never try to fix your posts first!
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  Geoff Norfolk July 11, 2010 at 10:24am

  Think I made all these mistakes when I started!! Can you actually buy "half panels" anywhere? ......... I've just cut one down when needed as I assumed they didn't make them.
  
  Steven Whitaker said:

  Watch out for six foot fences because you cannot do them on your own! If a fence has been there in the past, always start off with a half panel, that way you are not digging out old post concrete every six feet, and definately erect one post, attach the panel to it and then do the next post -never try to fix your posts first!
• 

  Nic Johnson July 11, 2010 at 10:42am

  no you cant buy half panels you just have to cut them down to size to suit.
  
  Geoff Norfolk said:

  Think I made all these mistakes when I started!! Can you actually buy "half panels" anywhere? ......... I've just cut one down when needed as I assumed they didn't make them.
  
  Steven Whitaker said:

  Watch out for six foot fences because you cannot do them on your own! If a fence has been there in the past, always start off with a half panel, that way you are not digging out old post concrete every six feet, and definately erect one post, attach the panel to it and then do the next post -never try to fix your posts first!
• PRO

  Phil Voice July 11, 2010 at 10:52am

  Reducing the width of a fencing panel
  http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/cutdownfence.htm
  
  
  I've also cut panels with angles where a change in height - say from 6' down to 5' is needed (imo a slop looks aesthetically better than a step).
• 

  Nic Johnson July 11, 2010 at 11:03am

  Also i find decent screws save time and drive in far better, that goes for any landscaping job i had a right game with some 4 inch screws into boards and posts for some raised beds. Untill i then bought some dearer screws and they drove in easily.
  
  Stuart Marler said:

  Good Reply,
  Buy or hire the correct tools for the job, every time!
  
  Pro Gard said:

  IMO the basics are quite simple but the job can either be a strugle or with the right kit a breze.
  
  The key is to take time measuring and setting out plus good tools. Start with smaller jobs and get a good local supplier/ sawmill who can give you good terms. Tools like a shuv holer (double shovel) can save almost 5 mins per post hole and a lot more for gate posts.
  
  IMO a decent breaker, petrol mixer, impact driver, shuvholer and for close board/ feather edge a air or gas nailer are essential items along with the usual spirit levels and lines etc. Buy these as appropriate as you get jobs and hire when needed for the first jobs.