Wood railings are easy to build. They can separate and enhance an area in your yard. If desired, you can add a gate, or the fence can have a split opening for easy access to another area. You can complete this project with basic hand tools, if you have all of the wood pre-cut when you buy it from your local home center, or you can cut the pieces at home, if you have a power saw.
Instructions
1 Cut the 4-by-inch4 posts to a length of 45 inches. Locate where the first post should go. Dig a hole 12 inches deep and 8 inches in diameter. Mix half a bag of concrete mix according to the directions on the bag. Put the post in the hole and pour the concrete around it. Tamp the concrete down with a piece of 2-by-4, so that it slopes down away from the post. Level the post on two adjacent sides with the level. Check to see that it remains level as the concrete dries and adjust as necessary. Repeat this with any additional posts needed. The maximum space between posts should not exceed 8 feet.
2 Measure the distance between the posts. Cut 2-by-4s to fit between the posts. Attach them to the posts with the strap hangers. The narrow part of the 2-by-4 should be on the top and bottom, with the wide sides facing out. The top of the top rails should be flush with the top of the posts. The bottom of the bottom rails should be 5 inches off the ground.
3 Cut additional 2-by-4s to rest on top of the posts---cap rail---and nail them to the posts with the 16d nails.
4 Measure the distance from the top of the top rail to the bottom of the bottom rail. Cut spindles from 2-by-2 stock to that measurement. The 2-by-2s are typically 8 feet long, so you should get three spindles from each 8-foot length. Cut enough spindles so that they can be spaced 3 inches apart.
5 Nail the spindles to the rails with the finishing nails. Use two nails on the top and one on the bottom. The spindles should be flush with the bottom edge of the top cap rail and just touch the bottom of the bottom rail. Nail the first spindle 3 inches from the first post. Measure 3 inches from the first spindle and nail the second one in place. Continue doing this with the remaining spindles.
6 Paint or stain the fence as desired.