materials needed

ITEM

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

TOOLS NEEDED

Locate underground utilities.  Obtain building permit if necessary.  Establish property lines.  Posts should be set approximately 4" inside property lines, which will help avoid encroaching on adjoining property with concrete footings.  This can be accomplished by stretching string along the property line and setting the posts 4" inside the line.

Distance between the gates should allow for the hinges and latch; 4" for single walk gates and 6" for double drive gates, using standard post and frame hinges.  Commercial gates will require different size openings, depending on the type of hinges and latch used.

Stretch a string line between the terminal post, making sure the concrete has set first.  Set the string 4" below the top of the terminal posts.  Mark line post locations, spacing evenly between the terminal post, not more than 10 feet apart.  Line the line post holes up so that when the posts are set in the center of the holes, their centers line up with the terminal post centers.  Dig the holes and set the line posts.  Use the string to set line posts evenly 4" below the top of the terminal posts (for installation on level ground).  Use a level to make sure posts are straight. 

Check the materials list above.  After concrete has set, slip tension bands and brace bands on terminal posts.  The long flat surface of the bands, as well as the bolt heads, should face the outside of the fence.  Apply all terminal post caps.  See figure below.

Attach loop caps to the line posts, setting so the top rail is offset toward the outside of the fence.  Insert top rail and attach to the terminal post using a rail end and brace band.  Continue installing the top rail.  If top rail is not swedged, connect with sleeves.  Upon reaching the other terminal post, measure carefully and cut the top rail to fit tightly into the rail end.

Unroll the chain link fabric on the ground along the fence line.  Slide the tension bar through the last link on the fabric.  Attach tension bar to terminal post with tension bands, using one less band than the height of the fence (but no less than three).  The fabric should be on the outside of the post.  Take the slack out of the fence as you walk along the fence line, loosely attaching to the top rail with a few tire wires.

Stretch the fabric from the first terminal post to which it is already attached to the next terminal post.  Insert tension bar 5' to 10' from the end of the fabric, depending on the length of the fence, and attach fence stretching tool to fabric.  Stretch the fabric until the tension is such that the fabric gives slightly.  The top of the fabric should be 1/2" above the top rail.  After the fabric is tight, remove excess fabric and attach to the terminal post with the tension bar and tension bands.  Excess fabric may be removed by opening the top and bottom knuckles and unwinding one key of fence through the diamonds until separated.  Fasten the fabric to the top rail and line posts, spacing the tie wires 18" apart.