How to Use Spikes to Build a Fence

Open a can of spray chalk and draw a mark on the ground at the start of the desired installation location for the fence. Walk along the length of the area and spray additional marks on the ground every 6 to 8 feet to indicate the location of each fence post.

Walk back to the starting location and dig a hole using a post hole digger, making each one-third the height of the posts you are installing. Repeat to dig the same depth hole at each remaining chalk mark.

Lay the first fence post on the ground and insert the upper square portion of a post spike against the bottom. Tap the bottom of the spike with a hammer to secure it snugly to the post. Tighten each bolt on the top of the spike using a socket wrench.

Pick up the post and insert the spike end into the bottom of the ground hole. Ask another person to hold the post upright while you hit the top of it with a sledgehammer. Hit the post until the spike extends all the way into the soil and only the upper square portion remains visible in the hole.

Back fill the hole with the removed soil and pack it down firmly using a hand tamper tool. To use a hand tamper, simply drop the flat portion repeatedly on the soil to compact it.

Repeat the process to install the post spikes and posts in each additional hole location.

Walk back to the first post and hold the end of a roll of wire fencing up to it. Wrap the end around the post once and secure the loose end of the wire using a staple gun and 1/2-inch stainless steel staples. Stretch the wire across all remaining posts and secure them in the same manner with additional staples. Cut off the excess wire fencing using tin snips.