2

I'm working on a wooden fence, similar to the picture below. It has a 2"x4" wood rail that will be the length of all four 4"x4" pressure-treated wood posts. This rail will be attached to the posts with screws.

Since the concrete where the posts are attached to is uneven, there will be "empty" space between rail and some posts in-between.

What can I use to fill that unwanted space that's strong enough to insert screws? I don't have the tools to cut the 4"x4" posts to the correct height, so that's out of the question.

enter image description here

Improve this question
5
  • 7
    You have no saws available, yet you're building a fence?
    – isherwood
    Sep 30, 2018 at 16:46
  • I have a saw, but I assumed you needed a heavy-duty was to cut 4x4 pressure-treated wood.
    – rbhat
    Sep 30, 2018 at 16:50
  • 5
    Negative. It's soft pine or fir, and cuts easily. You could clamp some blocks on the posts below the cut to act as guides, keeping the cut square and preventing accidental damage due to slips.
    – isherwood
    Sep 30, 2018 at 16:53
  • 1
    How big is the gap you need to fill?
    – Bijington
    Sep 30, 2018 at 19:55
  • I think the answer depends on a lot of things--like how big the gap is, how far apart the posts are, how many pieces of wood the top bar is (one?), how level and flat you want the top bar, how bowed the top bar is. Can you provide more details? I would agree with other comments though that the best way (in theory) to do this is to cut down the height of the tallest posts so that all posts are as even as possible.
    – spacetyper
    Sep 30, 2018 at 22:15

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
8

The right solution is to trim the higher posts, which can be done with a simple hand saw. You could clamp some blocks on the posts below the cut to act as guides, keeping the cut square and preventing accidental damage due to slips.

The only acceptable alternative (to my mind) is a shim cut of a suitable material, such as wood with the grain oriented across the post. This is actually a more complex task. You haven't said what the dimensions of the gaps are or what finish you need to match, so I can't offer a more specific suggestion.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.