Fence Talk

[makfence]

hi, I own a small custom fence co. So i thought i`d try to start a thread on fence. Hope to get some response. Thank you mak.

[olderthandirt]

Welcome,
And good luck with the fencing, only part I ever want to do again is call a contractor like you.

[MMLawn]

don't count on many responses since this is a lawn and landscape maintainence forum.....but I will suggest this....NEVER, EVER build a friggin gate for anyone that is less than 60" wide......cause we use big mowers :laugh:

[makfence]

don't count on many responses since this is a lawn and landscape maintainence forum.....but I will suggest this....NEVER, EVER build a friggin gate for anyone that is less than 60" wide......cause we use big mowers :laugh:
Your probley right, but I thought I`d try anyway. fencing is kind of related to the land scape. PS. have you covered on the gate.:)

[Markf]

I agree. I have two clients asking us to replace their pool fence which are starting to fall down. I would be grateful for any insight that you could offer.
I think it could be profitable especially since the holes are preexisting for the new posts.
Mark

[leadarrows]

I agree. I have two clients asking us to replace their pool fence which are starting to fall down. I would be grateful for any insight that you could offer.
I think it could be profitable especially since the holes are preexisting for the new posts.
Mark
I'M not a fence builder by trade mind you but I am a farmer that has built a lot of fence and this idea that the preexisting holes are going to make it easy is probable not true. Now I say probably because I don't know about your soil type, kinds of posts or kind of fence so I will limit my comments to wooden posts for field fence.
If you try to use the existing holes you will never get the post solid. When you set posts you need to have the holes larger at the top than at the bottom so you can tamp/pack the soil in solidly from the bottom up. They will not settle in and tighten up on their own.

[makfence]

Lead is correct on what he said for all wood fence. All other fence that require concrete. the holes need to be dug in the shape of a bell. so the frost dosen`t get under a cone shape hole and heave it out of the ground. Pool fences are probably the hardest to to, because every thing is magnafied compared to other fences. Good luck and if you need more advise just ask. mak :waving: :drinkup:

[makfence]

Mark, another suggestion, If you know any young strong guy thats done fencing before you could hire him to dig some holes plus maybe he could give you some ideas.

[Gilla Gorilla]

Hey Makfence

Do you not suggest to use a post hole auger like on a Toro Dingo with a 9" bit to dig the holes if they are to be set in concrete? I would really like whatever advice that you can give me for building a 8' tall privacy fence for a customer. I have built my 6' tall privacy fence 4 years ago and used concrete on all the post and it is holding up really well.

Thanks for any advice from you

[Trinity Lawn Care, LLC]

I helped a buddy start his fence biz. I agree with Mac. I do not want to get into that again. It is a nice biz though. I know a couple of people that are doing quite well doing fences.

[makfence]

HI Gilla, What kind of fence is it? If its a wood fence you don`t want to concrete the posts unless you use pressure treated because the wood will rot alot sooner. If you cement the posts you could use a auger but your going to end up with a huge hole to fill with concrete. probably 3 80 pound bags of sacrete for each hole. Plus depending on the conditions you might hit a root or big rock. throwing the auger way off creating even a larger hole. I only like using augers on large commercial chain link jobs or on large horse corrals out in a field. GOOD LUCK mak :waving:

[Gilla Gorilla]

Mak

Yes I have and will continue to only use pressure treated 4x4's for the post and 6x6's for the gate posts. The auger bit is only 9". How deep should the holes be for the post, I went around 20" to 24" on the post at my house that I used the 9" two man auger for the holes and If memory serves me rite it was around 1 bag per post that I used.

When setting the pressure treated post in the ground should I put a couple inches of gravel as a base or just put the post straight on the dirt?

Thanks again

[makfence]

Gilla I posted back to you a while ago, but something happened to the post. If you use wood post other then pressure treated you should not concrete the post, because they will rot faster. If you use concrete and dig the holes wita a auger the wholes will get rather large using at least three 80 pound bags of concrete. Plus if you hit a root or big rocks with the auger the holes will get even larger. I only like using a auger on large commercial chain link jobs and large horse corrals. GOOD LUCK MAK :drinkup:

[makfence]

I don`t know what happened with the double post. Oh well!!! If your puting up a 8 ft fence you should use all 6 by 6 and be set in the ground at least 30 inches if possible.

[makfence]

Jason, in reply to your question. There are many ways to get around roots. every hole could be different. Alot of times I`ll be diging next to a big tree thinking I`m going to hit all kinds of roots, and hit none. You can cut smaller roots but not the main ones. If you do hit a large root as long as your down a little. Clean out all around the root and beside it and deep under it. I take screws and screw a bunch into the root, let them stick out . then set the post and pour concrete around it. Another thing you can do,but I Don`t like the way it looks is to drive a 2 inch galv. pipe next to it clamp the post to it and cement. Be patient It will work great. :waving:

[ProMo]

I solved my double gate problem were I park my truck and trailer. It kept sagging and falling apart so I welded 2 frames and bolted the slats to it and it wont ever sag again.

[makfence]

I solved my double gate problem were I park my truck and trailer. It kept sagging and falling apart so I welded 2 frames and bolted the slats to it and it wont ever sag again.
Gates are a fence co. biggest call backs, if not installed properly. Great way to do it.

[Oasis-Outdoor]

I would say that fence building is closely related to lawn services. It doesn't pay bad at all. You have to invest some $ in equipment to save some of the as@ bustin work. Not a bad sideline business if ya want to do something different inbetween lawns!