How to Cut Rail Fences

Lay out the fence beforehand so that you can minimize cuts. With a zig-zag rail fence, you can lay out the pieces in the zig-zag pattern and then cut the ends off after the fence is installed. With post rail fences, you lay out the rails so you know where to set the posts. The posts have pre-drilled holes for the rails to set into, but you will need to make minute adjustments during the setting of the posts.

Cut the ends off of the zig-zag rail fence with the reciprocating saw. After you have stacked the pieces together in the zig-zag pattern, you can come back and work your way down the fence and cut off the tips of the rails as they stick out past the intersection according to your personal preference to keep the ends even with each other. Place the blade of the saw over the wood, pull the trigger and push the blade through the rail.

Make adjustments to the rails as necessary to slot into the predrilled holes on post rail fences. Measure from the inside hole of one fence posts to the inside of the hole on the next post, then transfer that measurement to your piece of railing. Mark it with a pencil and use the reciprocating saw to cut the end off so the piece will slide into the slots on the two posts.