Chopping logs when the axe doesn't do it

Often large wood logs are too hard to chop with an ordinary axe. I use a chisel and sledge hammer (and standard hammer) to split the log by hammering the chisel into the log bit by bit (in line with the grain). 

Then leave the logs to dry out properly before using. 

Replacing a small garden fence on the cheap

£1 off cuts if fence material - bargain. So much more rewarding when I can use recycled materials and spend much less than if I had had to buy a new fence panel and materials.

I now have the back bit left, so will be in the hunt for more scrap bits.. 

Before: 

After:

Strange colour in the photo due to flash. 

A little bit unevenly spread, but it was very dark by the time I finished, and somehow I didn't worry (I normally do!!) about this - instead I think it adds character and goes with rest of the house, a bit uneven here and there (one blog post soon will be on trying to drill/screw into old plaster walls.. which is what I attempted after the first front section of the fence was completed - and have yet to master as the wall was too difficult and in poor condition right at that point where I needed to hang done thing, of course!! 😠).

The off cuts (£1 each!) 

Instructions 

Remove the planks from the fence off cuts using a hammer. Remove all nails by hammering the underside and remove nails once out as far as they go with hammer.

Cut to length if necessary. I had to cut quite a bit off my planks to go with the rest of the existing proportions. Saw off the exess all in one go - always best to do one part of the order of jobs in one go to stay organised. May sound pedantic but it works for me - and I am a pedant!! 😊

Remove the old fence from the posts (these will stay in place as they are fine). Amazingly the two horizontal planks that hold the vertical planks were the correct length. Brilliant. Spread the vertical planks evenly and start to nail then to the fence. I am using rust free nails. I would have likeed to use a nail gun but I don't own one (yet!! It's now in my top ten hit list for tools), sadly. Anyway, I enjoy using traditional tools and methods so that's fine. 

Once all in place, stand back and enjoy! 

Oh, and a coat or two of protective timber treatment is a must. The material I used was pre-treated but I always protect it myself anyway. The fence can also be protected using timber treatment oil etc. 

Screwing in the planks proved better than nailing them. I also re-secured the fence posts to the larger post (holding up a bigger fence between me and the neighbouring property. That fence, by the way, is also one if my jobs. (I will take some photos and post later).

29 March 2014 

Some time later, today, I managed to find more fence off cuts and could do the other side. This side worked out better as I did it in daylight and measured everything very carefully. The first one has more elements of ad-hoc to it.. But all good. Good job. Always satisfying to do it myself. 

Before: 

After: