How to Build a Split Rail Fence

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A split rail fence is one of the easiest fences to build on your own. Originating from the days of the Old West, a split rail fence was used to mark boundaries across vast expanses of land in a minimal amount of time.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Posts
Rails
Sand or gravel
Post hole digger
Saw
Hole saw kit and power drill
String
Level
Planer or sharp knife

Step1

Use string and a few stakes to mark the ground where you are going to build the split rail fence, making sure that the fence will be located on your side of the property line. Take the time to measure out where each post will go in advance by measuring the entire length of the fence, and dividing by the set length of the rails.

Step2

Precut all of the rails and posts for your split rail fence. This will involve drilling out holes at the top and bottom of the posts with a hole saw kit and a power drill to accommodate the rails. You will need to cut end posts, where the holes do not go completely through the post, corner posts, where the holes are formed at right angles from each other, and line posts, where the holes go all the way through.

Step3

Dig all of your post holes with a post hole digger so that approximately one-third of the post will be in the ground. The post should set into the ground less than a foot below where the bottom rail will connect. Give yourself an extra 6 inches to pour sand or gravel into the bottom of the hole to prevent water damage to your posts.

Step4

Install of your posts for the split rail fence, starting with the end posts. Line up each post vertically using a string and a level between the posts. As you tamp the extra soil back into the post holes, you can continue to make minor adjustments to ensure that the posts are plumb.

Step5

Insert the rails into the posts. If a post hole isn't large enough to accommodate a rail, shave the end of the rail down with a planer or sharp knife before you try to drill a larger hole in the post.

Tips & Warnings

Always consult with your neighbors before you build any type of fence. By accurately defining the property line in advance, you can avoid having to absorb the cost of relocating your fence and repairing the ground underneath.