Tips for a successful trip to buy Reclaimed Fencing
First... measure the footage you will need... if you just count the "panels" you want to replace, the panels here may not be the same width of the panels you counted, as most used panels aren't a true 8ft wide.
Second... measure the width of the pickets, if you are trying to "match" existing panels. Most Pine pickets are not a true 4 inches wide. Most Cedar pickets are 4 or 6 inches wide, or a 5 7/8ths.
I know we all think we can "eyeball" it, but in reality we can't.
Measure the height of any existing panels as well.
Third.... be sure you have a trailer or truck that will hold the number of panels you are going purchase.
Short bed trucks can hold up to 10-12 panels, perhaps a few more, but when it comes time to tie them down it gets a bit interesting.
A van will not work, nor will the small U-Haul trailer. Even a U-Haul truck may not hold all the panels you want due to the thickness of the runners. If you stack the fences, runner side to runner side & smooth side to smooth side you will have a "shorter" stack.
Fourth... Bring Tie Downs!! Enough for an X across the load and one for front to rear of load.
Bring Gloves! Wear Shoes or Boots!! Flip Flops are not going to protect your feet from a nail if you step on a picket or runner while loading. Bring a hammer, to hit nails that are sticking out able to rip something, like your skin. BRING DRINKING WATER, it is VERY HOT & it is HARD WORK to load these panels. (there is a Sonic to the east! Turn Right on Country Club, Sonic on your left)
Fifth... Bring someone to help you load. Sometimes I have a friend here and sometimes I don't.
If I do please be prepared to tip them $1 per panel... or you can go to the corner store to see if anyone is there playing "games". Someone is usually there and will come over for $20 or so to help you.
I have seen many guys come alone and they are able to load up their panels. It takes them a long time & if the wind is blowing it is painful to watch. Just a FYI a 6' tall x 8' wide panel weighs 120lb.
TIPS ON INSTALLING YOUR RECLAIMED FENCE
1) DO NOT set your Posts before purchasing your Reclaimed Fence Panels. Many of these panels are "cut off" the posts so they are not a "true" 8ft wide. Other panels may be from a custom made fence with panels at various widths, and some panels when they were taken down may have even been cut in half.
2) Unless a fence panel has been sitting on a "kick board or weedeater board", usually a 2 x6 pressure treated board, the panel will show some wear on the bottom while the remainder of the panel is in great shape.
If you want your reclaimed fence to last for several years just trim off the 1/2 inch to 3 inches of wear on the bottom and sit it on a "kick board or weedeater board" whether it be a 2x6 or a *landscape timber that will keep the bottom off the ground. *check your city fence ordinance.
Your reclaimed fence will look great and save you a lot of money!!
Other tips will be shared when you purchase your reclaimed fence :)
