Fencing methods

[drinksloe]

Some good advice above.

Wot I would say with strainers esp end strainers and turners using a bead/level is the worst thing u can do, a plumb strainer is useless ( unless hanging a gate) 

U want the head leant well back against the pull of fence.

Personally I like extra coup/lean on my strainers as prefer a lower stay so expect the top to move slightly, but I learnt mainly hand balling and digging strainers in.

Nowadays many put stays far higher than I was taught, if too high and not long enough really just act as a lever to lift post out off ground.

 

I always cut a hole for the stay shouldn't really need a nail when done right, I prefer a sharp chisel but many nowadays use a chainsaw.

Dug in wth a big stone packed in as a heel althou nowadays u generally drive a stab in as a heel and cut it off below ground level.

Does take a bit of practice to get the hang off it

 

For plain wire I'd just use rads ( radissuers?) so can be adjusted easily in future. Depend just how tight u want the fence umightbe able to tension just with a spanner althou far better with set of pullers.

 

Finally even a simple thing like putting steeples in can make a difference, u want them diagonally into post so not in same grain and even at a slight down hill angle so don't pip out if u climb it.

See loads off farmers putting them in straight up the grain just pop out when posts dry and split

[openspaceman]

36 minutes ago, drinksloe said:

Nowadays many put stays far higher than I was taught, if too high and not long enough really just act as a lever to lift post out off ground.

 

I always cut a hole for the stay shouldn't really need a nail when done right, I prefer a sharp chisel but many nowadays use a chainsaw.

Dug in wth a big stone packed in as a heel althou nowadays u generally drive a stab in as a heel and cut it off below ground level.

Does take a bit of practice to get the hang off it

 

Finally even a simple thing like putting steeples in can make a difference, u want them diagonally into post so not in same grain and even at a slight down hill angle so don't pip out if u climb it.

See loads off farmers putting them in straight up the grain just pop out when posts dry and split

Three good bits of advice there though I've not done any fencing for 40 years