How to Build a Split-Rail Wood Fence

Split-railed wood fences if you zig zag them will make perfect places to plant flowers and shrubbery. These fences were built by pioneers back in the old days. They will surprise you with their beauty and will make your yard look good. Here are the steps to take on building your fence.

How to Build a Split-Rail Wood Fence

Step 1. Decide how high you want your fence to be. Most people choose three rails high and 50 feet long. You will need 18 rails and four extra ones for the ends.

Step 2. Hammer a steel wedge in the end of the log. Use a smaller hammer to start the wedge. After it is started, switch to the sledge hammer and pound the wedge in as far as the head will go.

Step 3. After the first wedge is in, begin a second wedge at the point where the crack opened by the first wedge ends.

Step 4. Drive in a third wedge as far as the top crack has extended.

Step 5. Keep working your way down the log, leap frogging the wedges. Do not expect the logs to split exactly straight. Split all rails so that the smallest ends maintain a decent size.

Step 6. Lay up your rails on the ground in a suitable arrangement. Let the ends of the logs overlap, then place a concrete block under the crossing of each joint.

Step 7. Just split more wood if you want to extend your fence later.