Got my first fencing job

[hilog]

Hi guys I got my first fencing job on the weekend. It is concrete post and concrete gravel board then Harris rail with close board.

I've never done concrete post and gravel board befor alway done wooden. How hard are they to put up

[s.varty]

Hi guys I got my first fencing job on the weekend. It is concrete post and concrete gravel board then Harris rail with close board.

I've never done concrete post and gravel board befor alway done wooden. How hard are they to put up

 

If your buying the materials from a proper fencing supplier ( not b&q etc) ask them to go through the procedure with you.

[hilog]

Yeah I will do I don't think it will be too hard

[Gardenmac]

Work on an hour per post(hole dug post in and concreted), important to line up the gravel board before the next post. 6 ft fence plus gravel board =9ft post (allows 2ft in ground)

Just in case you didn't know.

[hilog]

Work on an hour per post(hole dug post in and concreted), important to line up the gravel board before the next post. 6 ft fence plus gravel board =9ft post (allows 2ft in ground)

Just in case you didn't know.

 

Does the gravel board bolt on and the Harris rails just slid in the mortus joint don't they

[Gardenmac]

normally slide concrete gravel board into mortice on concrete post the same with the rail. you may need to shave a bit off the rails to fit the mortice in the post. Are you doing the close board or are they close board panels( ready made?).

If you have to dig the holes ( not using an auger) then a pair of shov-holers and a good wrecking bar are a must.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Gardenmac

[hilog]

I am doing the close board that's the easy bit. I will struggle geting the rest set up

[Gardenmac]

you can prop the posts using the rails, the hard part is the gravel boards are heavy buggers, and the 9ft posts aren't like timber ones. I have two jobs coming up, one is to replace 15 posts and panels with new and the other is an 8 panel fence with concrete posts and boards through a concrete base.

All good fun, good luck and post some pics as you go.

[miker]

concrete gravel boards normally fit to the post with a metal cleat,the post will have pre drilled holes to accept the cleat,pre drilled hole in gravel board for bolt,to attach cleat to gravel board, arris rails and counter rail will slot into mortises in the post,have an extra pair of hands as you will struggle getting everything into the mortises on your own, good luck and put some pics up when you are done

[Kev Stephenson]

All the above people who are giving advice need to realise there are numerous different types of concrete posts depending on the manufacturer, telling a novice your way is THE way it is done could be leading the OP down the wrong path.

 

I have used a few different types, some with preformed bolt holes, some with holes for straining wires and some with channels in which the gravel boards and fence panels slide. The latter I have personally found to be the easiest to use but note that from most suppliers the gravel boards are 6ft wide (183cm) and the europanels are 180cm wide therefore you will need to either add a batten to the panels or cut a section off the gravel board. I know this does not apply to the OP who is making the wooden panels.

 

I would recommend allowing 1 hour and 2 people per section. I find it easiest with the channelled posts to install the gravel boards as I go along the fence line rather than do all the posts then try and lift a 40kg board 6ft high the following day. The posts are damned heavy. Lifting them from 2ft down a hole if you need to go a few inches more is damned hard work.

 

Good luck, it isn't rocket science just take your time as there is no trimming a bit off the top of a concrete post if you have set it too high