Instructions / Assembly

16
Building Fences
between the corner or end posts as a guide as
you set, align and brace the intermediate
posts. Intermediate post holes can be filled
with earth and gravel or, for a stronger fence
in loose or water saturated soil, use concrete.
Trim the Tops
Ensure that the tops of the fence posts are
even by trimming the tops off the posts after
they have been set - leaving room for post
caps as desired. Use end-cut solution on the
cut ends. (An alternative is to initially dig
each hole to the necessary depth to ensure
even tops.)
5. Attaching Railing, Siding Boards and
Kickboards
To accommodate slight variations in post
alignment, the horizontal rails between post
should be individually measured and cut to
fit. Use end-cut solution on the cut ends.
Typically, the bottom rail is installed about six
inches above the ground and the top rail
either at the top of the post or six inches
below it, if post caps are planned. Use a line-
level stretched between end posts to ensure
parallel placement, as shown in the illustra-
tion on page 15 (Rail installation may vary
depending on the siding board application
you have chosen.)
\Dado
Heavy board fences may be made
much stronger with the use of a
dado joint to connect the rails to
the posts. A chisel and handsaw
or power router can be
used to form the dado
channel. Use a
straight edge guide
and be sure the work
is well clamped. The
cut must be square
and smooth with sharp edges. Be sure to
apply end-cut solution to cut ends.
Dig the Holes
Digging the holes for your fence posts is easily
accomplished in most soils with a two-
handled clam shell digger. Rocky soil may
require the use of a digging bar to loosen the
soil. Power augers are great labor saving tools
if you have many post holes to dig.
The hole should be about 8-inches in diameter
for a 4”x4” post. The posts should be set 24 to
36 inches deep for a six-foot tall fence, deeper
for a taller fence or deep frost line (if in
doubt, consult your McFarland Cascade
®
dealer). Place a base stone or treated wood
block in the bottom of the hole as a post
foundation.
Set the Corner or End Posts
Set all of the corner or end posts first. Tempo-
rarily hold the posts in place by nailing two
braces from each post to stakes driven into
the ground several feet away as shown in the
illustration on page 15. Adjust the brace as you
plumb the sides of the post with a level. To
square the posts to each
other, use a line-level on
two strings stretched
between the posts, near
the top and near ground
level, and readjust the
bracing.
Fill the Holes
Fill the corner or end post
holes with concrete. One
bag of ready-mix should
be enough for each post
(more for deeper
post holes). The
fill should come 1 to 2 inches above
ground level and slope
away from the post to
divert water. Allow the
posts to set for two days
before proceeding.
Set the Intermediate
Posts
Again, use the line-level
Earth
Gravel
Earth
Gravel
Earth
Gravel
Soil or
concrete
concrete
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