Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 1999 04:27am | #1

   *
   This is the way I do it. For 1x4 pickets with 4x4 posts I try to get a picket in front of each post to hide it a little. I use a picket as a gauge and space the width of a picket between each one. I nail one in front of the next post and as i get a few boards from it I start adjusting the spacing slightly so that they work out close enough that you cant really tell by eye that the spacing is a little off. There are formulas to use and you can use dividers and step it off but I dont think its really neccessary. Maybe someone else can help if you want to try it the mathematical way.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 1999 04:57am | #2

   *Freddi,1) Nail up two pickets at any two locations.2) Measure the distance from the center of one to the center of the other.3) Decide on how many pickets you would like to put between the two nailed up pickets, then add 1 to this number.4) Divide the measurement in 2) by the number in 3) to get the layout for the pickets in this section.Good Luck.........Ken

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 1999 01:32pm | #3

   *If you're feeling scattered (congrats on the baby girl!) walk a rail off with a pair of dividers set to the picket width plus the roughly desired spacing. If you don't end up right, tweak the dividers and walk it again, pressing harder when it comes out right to leave marks. Extend these marks to the other rails with a framing square. As mentioned above, it's easy enough to tweak the spacing a bit later.I like math in small doses but hate having to figure out stuff like 'what's 4 7/16" times 8?'Please use rust-resistant staples, nails or screws! Stainless for cedar/redwood. The streaked look drives me nuts.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 1999 04:18pm | #4

   *Freddi,Let me give an example using the method I posted earlier.Suppose that you have two posts set in concrete and you nail or screw two of your pickets to these posts. When you measure the distance from the center of one picket to the center of the other, you find this measurement to be 96"Now, suppose you wish to put 15 pickets between the two that are in place. Add 1 to 15 to get 16.Divide 96" by 16 to get 6"This is the on-center measurement for all of the pickets in this section. Just hook you tape on one of the end pickets, measure over 6", and this is where the next picket begins, etc, etc. The numbers don't always work out this nicely, but this method will always give you the correct on-center measurementHint: If you are inserting an odd number of pickets in between, (such as 15 in the above example), start by putting one exactly in the middle of the first two and work out from the center towards the end pickets.If you are inserting an even number of pickets in between, find the center point, then put up two pickets, equally spaced from the center and at the same time are at your on-center measurement. Once again, work from the center pickets towards both ends. As you get near the end pickets, you can "fudge" a little if you need to.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 19, 1999 05:59am | #5

   *Earth to Freddi, Earth to Freddi,How's the fence coming along? How's the baby doing? What formula are you using to feed?? You jump in here and ask for help and once you get some your computer shuts down? Update on baby formula and pickets requested.

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 19, 1999 10:00pm | #6

   *Hey Ken,Just would like to take this moment to give a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who replied....Thank everyone !!!!!Kenny...keep your pantyhose on ....you'll like this formula !I don't get on here from home....I work with these computers all day....fooling with this stuff at home..."NO WAY!!!! Not my idea of fun..."Anyway...I'm more math oriented...(minored in it at college but that was a ways back..."if you don't use it you lose it" ....Here's the formula:lets say:Picket rail (pr) = 96"#desired pickets (dp) = 12Width per picket (wp) = 1 1/2"dp X wp = (tp) total length of 12 1 1/2" pickets put side to side(ie.) 12 X 1 1/2" = 18"pr - tp = rl (remaining length of rail without pickets)(i.e) 96" - 18" = 78"tp + 1 = ts (total # of spaces between all pickets) (i.e.) 12 + 1 = 13 rl / ts = wsp (space between each picket)(i.e) 78" / 13" = 6" It's pretty cool ..try it... works for any size rail you want to use. A spacer block cut to the desired size makes short work of putting the pickets on...and just in case ...do the dry run first...Thanks to everyone who posted the replies ...I really enjoyed this form...was my first time in here...you all are a group "GOOD People" !!!!THANKS AGAIN.....FreddiG

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 20, 1999 02:38am | #7

   *"Good People"? Here?That's only because you didn't ask a question about vapor barriers, or insulation, or venting, or vinyl siding, or...Take good care of your little girl, do they ever grow up fast...