Colonial Style Split Rail Fence

I got the idea for this fence while taking my students to Colonial Plantation located in Ridley Creek State Park.  After we moved into our new home, there were two problems that needed to be addressed.  First, we had a number of oak trees that needed to come down and second, there is a drainage ditch in the back that we wanted to put a simple barrier in front of.  The solution?  Use the wood from the trees to create a simple split rail fence like the one I saw on the field trip.  In addition, I wanted to recreate the experience of an early American colonist as (relatively) authentically as possible.

The best part about this style of fence is that it does not require nails or screws.  It is quick and easy to disassemble to re-position or move completely somewhere else.  Plus, if you are unhappy with the results, with a few quick cuts from a chainsaw, you have a nice stack of firewood.  

DISCLAIMER:  You assume any and all risk.  Remember: You are always one small slip away from an ER visit.

It is imperative that you take several precautions before starting this project.

1.  If you are attempting this project, it is assumed that you have experience using the tools listed in the materials section.
2.  Always wear eye and hearing protection.  Avoid wearing shorts and open-toed shoes.
3.  Pace yourself!  Accidents tend to happen when you get tired or bored.  Need a break?  Take it!

Materials
Safety glasses Hearing protection (the sledgehammer hitting the wedge is surprising loud!) Sledgehammer 2-3 splitting wedges Maul Logs cut to length Chainsaw (optional)

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Vibrant Fence Project

* Update 6/5 *
Thanks to all of you who voted up my Project. Little did I know this would go so great
A shout out to 'BeachBum Living" on Youtube, he was my inspiration for this. Visit his great Restoration Page.

Thanks again !
**********888

I wanted to brighten up my pool area, and thought I would share this actually cheap and easy project. Not much to it, but I love the colors each day as I walk out to work, or sit contemplating life. This was actually a fast project with high reward value. The possibilities are limitless. Your Garden, the side of a house that is dull, Pool, who knows, have fun!

Time: 

2 Hours  (or long enough for the paint to dry)

Cost

Under 65$ for this 10' section, paint and screws. 

Items Needed.

1.  Buy 21 Fence Slats. You will find them in the Lumber Section. They are sold seperate to replace broken fence's.
* Find one with Curves, this makes the over all look nicer I think   1.99 cents each

2. One box of 1 1/2" wood screws  (250 count)  6$

3. Paint:    As many colors as you wish. 8$ a Quart. Flat Outdoor Paint tinted to your favorite colors.

4. Paint Trim Tool.  1.89 cents  to help you keep the paint of the adjoining board.

5. Hand Saw or circular saw. this wood cuts very easily, a simple hand saw can do the trick.

6. Screw Driver or Drill with screw bit.  

7. Cheap Paint Brust   5$   I don't suggest foam as these boards are very rough grain and foam would catch and snag

8. Lumber to secure or simple screws.  I used a 10' Spruce board x 12" high.  2$ a foot.   I needd two of these. The 2nd Verticle board was 5' high. You can often get creative, just ask the sales person at home depot etc. I could have also used a 2x4, it would have worked just as well at 3$ each.   Get Pressure Treated as this is outdoor.

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How to Patch a Wire or Barbed Wire Fence

What the heck is that big rusty yellow thing? ....that's what they used to say about my car back in high school, but no, I'm talking about the big rusty yellow thing in the picture! 
It's an old Fence Stretcher/Splicer and this Instructable is going to show you how to use it to splice a wire fence.

It's spring and we've already had a few tree-dropping storms, so I've got a few fences to repair...Let's go  !

First step, gather the tools needed: Fence Splicer/Splitter - this one has been around, but I see they can still be purchased ...your local farm supply store or even on Amazon Wire Wire cutter (I grabbed a tin snips...there are better tools for this job but alas....) Large screwdriver Fence Staples (1 1/4") Pliers or vice grips Tape to mark the repair Gloves
Safety first, if it's an electric fence turn off the electric fencer  :-)In the location of the split, clear fallen trees and plant-life so you have room to work. If it's an electric fence you'll want to keep plants from touching the line anyway.

De-kink the wire and pull it reasonably tight. You may have to check down the fence line a bit to be sure all the kinks are out.  
You may have to remove some fence staples to clear things up.

Grab one of the split fence ends and bend the wire to create a loop. Similar to a simple fishing line knot, you want to twist the wire and run it back through the loop so it can't easily come unwound by animals pushing against the fence.

Cut a section of wire from the spool of spare wire to use as a "splice wire"...you'll want some extra length, so make it maybe 3 feet long. Slip one end of it through the loop you just created and join the two sections by creating another loop. 

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