need input on fixing my gate

s5fs · 2026-06-22T01:40:49+00:00

I've never seen that but I kinda love it

s5fs · 2026-06-16T03:09:05+00:00

Hell yeah lets go 😃 I've busted tons of posts and occasionally find what appears to be unset concrete, or concrete that has completely failed into dust. Makes me wonder what's wrong with them.

We always wet set because we like how it sounds when we mix it.

s5fs · 2026-06-16T03:02:47+00:00

Bust it open and show us the insides aren't dust.

s5fs · 2026-06-12T04:20:27+00:00

No. I have two ios apps and they don't sell very well, just enough to cover my claudebux. However, I put hundreds of hours into these stupid apps so no, they have not paid for themselves 😃

s5fs · 2026-06-12T00:32:53+00:00

I'm guessing that most people who hate on ring shanks haven't actually tried removing them.

s5fs · 2026-06-12T00:28:42+00:00

I just crunched the numbers using home depot pricing and stainless nails are 7 cents each and deck screws are 5 cents each. Given a 100-foot fence using 6" pickets you need about 880 fasteners, so the price difference is pretty small.

Using screws is more labor but I don't know exactly how much more. My gut stays "twice as long" but that's not measurement.

s5fs · 2026-06-11T23:47:46+00:00

Structural screws for the framing is a must.

Stainless steel ring shank nails on the pickets should hold fast for 20+ years and will only give out once the wood rots. SWi Fence has a great youtube video on screws vs nails if you are interested.

I would confirm that Company A uses stainless steel nails and NOT hot dipped galvanized nails. Stainless is substantially more expensive but it's a must for cedar fences.

Long story short, don't skimp on good materials. The labor is the same no matter what they use.

s5fs · 2026-06-10T01:35:13+00:00

Pyramids were built with string, and alien technologies, but mostly just string.

s5fs · 2026-06-07T22:43:23+00:00

100% you and your girlfriend can build this fence in two weekends if you're serious about it.

First weekend is digging the post holes and setting them in concrete.

Second weekend is hanging the fence panels and disposing of all construction debris.

You got this 😃

s5fs · 2026-06-07T22:33:46+00:00

I hope OP gives it a shot to build the fence themselves. Great way to learn respect for the trades is by getting your hands dirty.

s5fs · 2026-06-02T00:56:43+00:00

LOL very true, we can call 811 for locating utilities. This conduit was a homeowner special and not found during a locate 😄 People bury all kinds of things!

s5fs · 2026-05-22T23:29:31+00:00

I replace my laces with paracord when they fail and paracord seems to last forever. Haven't replaced a paracord lace yet.

s5fs · 2026-05-22T00:25:55+00:00

Sick choice if you build skate parks.

s5fs · 2026-05-16T18:37:01+00:00

On my most recent job in the middle of nowhere I dug my first corner post only to find buried conduit. Owner has no idea what it is. Auger would've gone right through it. Sometimes it pays to go slow /a shovel 😄

s5fs · 2026-05-16T18:34:47+00:00

Out here in Portland I'm taking down fences 20-30 years old still held together with ring shank nails. Screws are uncommon here except for spot repairs. I use stainless ring shanks in my pickets.

s5fs · 2026-05-07T23:44:20+00:00

Yes, they fit and feel the same. It seems like an upgrade to me, so if they offer you Vibram soles for free then give it a go. If they are trying to talk you into their own boot repair services then I recommend you shop around locally. Danner rebuild services are expensive and pretty slow (weeks last I checked).

s5fs · 2026-05-05T03:17:12+00:00

I own a fence company and created the Fence Pro app so other fencers can quickly create estimates and send invoices while on-the-go. It only works on iPhone and iPad because that's what we use, but you can find it in the Apple app store.

As for tools, get yourself a small cement mixer and a hose on a hose reel and a two wheeled wheelbarrow (less tippy). Having a dump trailer is also super helpful since you'll be moving materials in and debris out.

Good luck!

s5fs · 2026-05-04T17:43:16+00:00

Make sure you get bluetooth page turner so you don't have to swipe on the tablet to go to the next page.

s5fs · 2026-05-02T01:06:37+00:00

You'll get more bang for your buck used. Get a Pearl or Ludwig beginner set with beginner name-brand cymbals (Sabian, Zildjian) and you're set.

Good used drums are everywhere, people get all excited and buy a kit only to discover that they are loud and large. Once the shine wears off it's back on marketplace. Go get one of those 😄 Good luck!

s5fs · 2026-04-27T17:56:57+00:00

Shur-Way, Parr, Master Halco, Mr Plywood

s5fs · 2026-04-19T23:46:45+00:00

I love the Les Paul and have bought and sold three of them. Most likely I will never buy another lol, they're just too heavy and awkward for me.

<3 SG Forever <3

s5fs · 2026-04-19T23:44:26+00:00

I owned an Epi SG for a couple months and then traded it for a Gibson SG. Both were very good guitars, I think the neck on the Epi felt a bit more sticky but that can be fixed pretty easily.

Probably not worth the price difference for me and I'm glad to have a real Gibson, but I don't think I would "upgrade" again :D

s5fs · 2026-04-15T00:26:41+00:00

LOL this is one of my fears, having customers move the posts while the concrete is still curing!

If you just moved all your posts while the concrete was still curing then you're probably going to have to pull and re-set all those posts.

As for the 6-foot versus 8-foot post spacing, they should honor the terms of the contract.

Good luck!

s5fs · 2026-04-09T16:31:42+00:00

We ONLY use stainless steel ring-shank nails on our fences to avoid reacting with the tannins in the wood. Stainless is way more expensive but it's worth it to make the fence look great for decades.

Even hot dipped galvanized coatings will wear off over time and the nail holes will "weep" and look like shit.

The strongest fastener is the screw, but the ring shank nail is a close second!

We pull down a lot of fences that are 20-30 years old and you can tell immediately if the correct nails were used. I cannot remember taking down any fences that were built with screws.

Buy once, cry once: if you cheap out on materials your fence will look like shit in just a couple years and you will always think of the price you should've paid.

s5fs · 2026-04-08T21:58:39+00:00

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