Stock Fencing

Question 1

Tools required

Answer 1

String line
Spade
Hammer
Tape measure
Shuvholer
Tamper
Post level
Post driver
Small brush
Marker pegs
Saw
Monkey strainer
Pencil
Wood chisel

Question 2

Materials required

Answer 2

Straining posts
Struts and anchor stakes
Inter posts
Stock fencing
Fixings

Question 3

Step 1

Answer 3

Plan and mark out the fence line using a string line and pegs. Establish fence run ends and corner positions and place where the straining posts can be best positioned to tension the fence. Mark these positions with pegs.

Question 4

Step 2

Answer 4

To install the strainer post, measure the height of the stock-fence and any top wire to be added plus about 75mm for top clearance from the top wire. Take the total amount off the length of the strainer post to give the depth of the hole for the strainer post.

Question 5

Step 3

Answer 5

Use the rabbit spade and shuvholer to dig the hole for the straining post with straight vertical sides, making the hole as small as practical to allow for refilling and ramming.

Question 6

Step 4

Answer 6

Replace the excavated soil a bit at a time, ramming soil in well as filling proceeds so as to ensure the post is firm. Check the post is straight with a spirit level as you go.

Question 7

Step 5

Answer 7

The struts and anchor stakes are then fitted, with the strut facing the next straining position down the line. Use a saw to create a mortice on the strainer post, this should be at an angle to suit the length of the strut then cut the strut at an angle to suit the mortice hole.

Question 8

Step 6

Answer 8

Place the strut in place, fix with two 100mm nails then put the anchor stake in to act as a thrust plate to stop the strut moving when the strainer post is under strain. A small trench may need to be dug to allow the strut to sit against the anchor stake.

Question 9

Step 7

Answer 9

Fix strut to anchor stake with two 100mm nails.

Question 10

Step 8

Answer 10

Fix the string line between the first and second straining post, making sure the string is fixed to the same side of them, and then pull taut. The string should be above the ground.

Question 11

Step 9

Answer 11

With the string line in place, mark out the stake position at 1.8 to 2m centres. The stakes can be used to mark their final position by laying them at right angles to the string or by making a small hole to mark the spot.

Question 12

Step 10

Answer 12

Then using your chosen stakes, drive onto position using the post driver, checking with the post level as you go to keep it upright. The height of the inter posts should match the height of the strainer post.

Question 13

Step 11

Answer 13

If more than one run of stock fencing is required, the wires need to be joined using gripples to create a full length of wire to suit the run.

Question 14

Step 12

Answer 14

With all the straining posts and stakes in position, you can now fix the stock fence to the first strainer post using 30mm barbed staples. Staple every horizontal wire to the post, this has to be very secure as it will have to take all the strain when the fence is pulled taut. Once the wire has been fixed to the post, unroll the stock fence then pull the fence tight using a monkey strainer.

Question 15

Step 13

Answer 15

Once it is fixed together tight between strainer posts, the wire should be fixed to the inter posts.

Question 17

Step 14

Answer 17

Once the stock fence has been completed, the chosen top wire should be fixed to the strainer post. Roll the wire along the fence line, pull it up hand tight then tension it up once tight. Fix it to the inter posts and the other strainer posts. When cutting the wire always stand clear in case it snaps. A length should be left so it can be bent back over around to help keep it from moving.

Question 18

Step 15

Answer 18

Tidy up the site, making sure no off-cuts of wire or staples.