Fencing tricks for hole depth?

[MNBobcat]

Thanks guys.

The fence has to follow the contour of the land.

I ended up making a story pole. I used an "L" shaped bracket on top which would hang on the top of the post. On the bottom I of the pole I put a horizontal brace that would span across the hole. I would set the story pole on the ground and then look to see how the top of the post lined up with the "L" bracket on the end of the pole.

My poles probably varied in about a 4" range in overall height. As long as I was between 8 foot and 8 foot four inches I called it good.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I once saw a fence company set posts to the approximate depth, build the fence, then trim the post tops to make them even.

If you really care, I think this is the only sure thing. I think there are just too many variables any other way.

 

[DT86]

If you really care, I think this is the only sure thing. I think there are just too many variables any other way.

I agree. That is the way I did it for a board fence I built last fall.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

We do it by eye, old fenceman's trick. I always laugh at guys with strings and wires because the last thing they do is check it out by eye.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

That don't work in our world. You see my father, he's now 87, taught us that you always cut off the bottom of the post to set it for height.

I agree. That is the way I did it for a board fence I built last fall.

 

[DT86]

We do it by eye, old fenceman's trick. I always laugh at guys with strings and wires because the last thing they do is check it out by eye.

When building hi tensile or woven wire, I drive the posts to approximately chin height and call it good. The exception being when the post hits an un-moveable object, then I'll trim the top.