How to Build Your Own Fence from Tin

Dig a hole with the post-hole digger and set a 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-10-foot treated post for the first corner post. Set the post 2 feet deep into the ground. Place the level on each side of the post to plumb or ensure that it is straight. When the bubble is between the lines, the post is plumb. Fill and pack dirt around the post.

Use the 16-foot steel measuring tape to measure 8 feet from the corner post, and then drive a stake for the second post using the hammer. Nail a 16 D nail in the corner post with the hammer and stretch a line to the stake, checking to see that the posts are in a straight line. Dig a hole with the post-hole digger and set a 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-10-foot treated post for the second corner post following the procedure in Step 1. Repeat this procedure until all posts are set. Remember to leave a place for a gate if you want one. Allow two to five days for the posts to settle before proceeding with construction.

Use the 16-foot steel measuring tape to measure 1 foot from the ground and use a pencil to mark a line on a post. This mark indicates where the bottom 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot treated board will be placed. Hold the board in place horizontally from post to post on the line and nail the board to the posts using three 16 D nails and the hammer. Repeat this procedure to nail boards 1 foot from the ground for remaining posts.

Measure 4 feet from the ground and mark another line on the post to indicate where the second run of the 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot treated boards will be installed. These boards will be for the middle row of the fence. Repeat this procedure for each board. Hold the boards in place horizontally from post to post on the line and nail them with three 16 D nails and the hammer.

Measure 6 feet from the bottom of the ground and mark another line on the post to indicate where the last run of the 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot treated boards will be installed. Repeat this procedure to install all boards. Hold the boards in place horizontally from post to post on the line and attach with three 16 D nails and the hammer.

Hold a sheet of 3-foot-by-6-foot tin or painted metal vertically and attach it to the bottom, middle and top 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot treated boards with the 1 1/2-inch roofing screws and portable drill.

Repeat Step 6 until all fence framing is covered.