remove chainlink fence, replace with zigzag rail fence

[Sodo]

I'm getting tired of looking at this fence. My Ma-in-Law's lives there. Want to remove the chainlink because it looks like a parking lot, and replace it with a split-rail type zigzag fence. Mostly because I have huge numbers of 4-5 inch Douglas Fir trees that need to be thinned (cut out). I will have loads of fence material. The trees are 80 years old, super tight grain so I hope they will last awhile.

Here it is. Looks like a parking lot

Drawing of a zigzag split-rail style fence.

Chain link removed, laying out the logs to see how this will go...
Thinking of screwing the rails to the steel posts.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a cedar split rail fence that came with the property... probably about 30+ years old.

Was thinking of going cyclone in the rear for animal control... they do look industrial and not near as nice as a split rail.

 

[PILOON]

I have installed a reasonable amount of split rail fencing, mainly for decorative reasons.
Being a bit lazy I developed an easy method. (hate digging holes)

I drive 'T bars' where I want posts and wire the rails to the 'T bar' and then camouflage the T bar with short lengths of split cedar that I wire twist in place vertically.
Unless up real close you'd never know.

Also 'T bars' won't rot!

 

[wawajake]

I have done the t bar post , too, and as long as you don't have them have height above the wood and you camouflage like Piloon stated you will have quaint looking fence ........if you re-use the chainlink posts and don't hide , not so quaint.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you painted the existing posts a dark color, they should look good. If not, hiding it with a split log should be easy enough.

 

[Sodo]

.... wire the rails to the 'T bar' and then camouflage the T bar with short lengths of split cedar that I wire twist in place vertically.
Unless up real close you'd never know!

NOW we're cookin!

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess the person that did mine did it really simple all those years ago.

The Split Cedar rails are about 32" high and the ends at each overlapping joint are drilled to accept a single length of 1/2 inch rebar pounded into the ground...

Come to think about the system has been in place 45+ years because I remember it as a child going past the house.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I like the idea of using metal stakes and disguising them. Never saw that before.

For real fence posts, I use a Milwaukee Hole Hawg and a 6 inch soil drill/auger. This setup will drill a perfect 6 inch hole 24 inches deep in about 30 seconds. You have to hold on to the drill with both arms, and brace with both legs, but it gets the job done with a lot less effort than a post hole digger.

 

[Sodo]

After seeing it, the steel posts were disappointing. Though about paint but covering them is a much better idea.

These posts are 6" diameter, so split them with the tablesaw, and cut at 30*.

Digging the core out.

Not so hard because there are not many branches in these logs.

Ultrarunner that split rail cedar fence in the background has 5/8 re-bar thru drilled holes. My brother and I built that fence 16 years ago from split cedar telephone poles (with no tar).

This is gonna go quick now, just the way I like it. I'll just screw the two halves back together, then screw the logs to the posts. Then sawzall the tops off. Any ideas for a 'cap' to hide the pipe inside?

 

[EddieWalker]

Well done. Can you run power through the pipe and add lighting? Maybe low voltage lights?