How to Nail Pickets on a Wood Fence | Running Pickets 

Man if you've worked for a fence company a day in your life. You would understand that this would be one of the best trainers in the game , definitely will share this knowledge

This video saved my a$$. 220' 8' fence, i built a jig and knocked it out. Thank you!

The point you make about holding the gun up by the shoulder is so important, especially those with less experience. Great points here

Dude you move in a very productive way. You're a great example

I finally made it to the end of the rabbit hole. You sir, are the best I’ve ever seen. I finally feel 100% confident that I can do this. Thanks

Thanks man. I’ve been thinking overthinking and procrastinating on this project for weeks.

Great teacher!

Best instructional video I've f6so far on how to build a fence. Thank you!

He's good he knows what he's doing and explains it well 👍

Just a note for myself and others regarding nail length ... 2x4's are not 2" thick, they are 1-1/2" nominal thickness (by 3-1/2" width). Here in Florida, Lowes carries a HUGE supply of "Severe Weather" pickets (the most frequently used by professionals down here). Those pickets are 5/8" thick by 6" wide by 6' length. So, if we do the math, 1-1/2" = 1=4/8" (the 2x4), plus 5/8" (the picket) = 1-9/8ths or ,more correctly, 2-1/8" total thickness of wood to nail through for picket & rail. So a 2" nail would be perfect. I have a 21 degree framing nailer, so for me, Lowe's sells a "Metabo HPT 2-in x 0.113-in 21 Degree Hot-Dipped Galvanized Ring Collated Framing Nails (1000-Per Box)" for $41.98. The "Ring" in that description means ring-shank. I'm not a pro, just a homeowner, but as Bob Vila said, measure twice, cut once. I'm trying to think this all the way through but not over-think it. I want to build it once and move on with my life.

Decking screws are best!

This video is a thing of beauty, well done sir!!!

good idea using the posts as a level... I drove myself insane trying to level pickets that weren't parallel to begin with...

Very professional I like his work

BEAST MODE!! Nice system!!

Outstanding video!! I'm building a new fence next week and subscribing to your channel for reference.

This was amazing to watch! I have always bought the premade panels from Home Depot. I have built my 4' fences from scratch though. I enjoyed this video and can see me doing it this way before to long. I have to purchase that guard for the top for my pickets!

Should there be a gap between fence pickets?

I didn't see how u set your posts and rails so that u can run the pickets without a level. I always use a level and pickets get crooked. Whst am I doing wrong? U are a true pro

Man thanks so much .. Im so glad i googled fences. Were ready to set the pickets now. You helped out big time brother.. All the way up here in Kentucky💙👍

😂 it goes at the shoulder guys

Damm those nails are lines up like a beginner did it 😂😂😂 I was looking for a video oh now to do it perfect 😂

Ready to run through a wall coach!

Has anyone ever mentioned your shirts and logo looks similar to the Manchester City football shirts (soccer) here in England ?

Great video a lot of good info.

Can someone tell me the name of the metal tool he uses up top. Thanks in advance

Awesome, best ive seen

One board fence design with 5/8th pickets on 2x4 rails - max go with 2" ring shanked nails - you will have 1/8th of the rail thickness left before the nail pulls out other side. Board on board fence design with same size picket and rail - for bottom rail 2" nails will still work. For top pickets - 2" can be used but it will go only 3/4" in the rail which is a bit shorter. Ideal size would be 2-1/4in or 2-1/2 in nails. Always use hot dipped galvanized ring shanked nails. Nail thickness - standard 6D-10D nail thickness is sufficient. Nail head should be full round heads, don't use the ones that goes with the stick clipped nail guns that has half the nail head. Now once you find a matching brand in your local store, use a nail gun that can drive these nails. I am a dewalt fan but unfortunately none of dewalt guns can drive shorter that 2" nails which is a bummer.

Great video very informative!

Nice now I can do my own fence 🤣🤣

The nail line on the middle and lower rails would drive me nuts lol

5:47 what happened to not holding the nail gun down?

Awesome

This guy reminds me of this kid in school who ate his sandwiches alone in the cafeteria, not his choice. Still, I learned a few tips.

Will that fence snake with dry pickets butted tight together when they expand in weather?

I am replacing a section of fence blown down by a storm. I am keeping with the current design which has 3 rails that are 1x6 and not the traditional 2x4 rails like the remainder of my fence. This is a perimeter fence between our development and some Garden Homes. I'm looking at buying a 21 degree nail gun for the pickets, but the smallest ring shank nail I can find for it is 2" and it will slightly protrude on the backside of the rail. In previous fences I've replaced or built, I've used screws as the final securing hardware after installing the pickets with 18 GA nails (via nail gun). This time (and for the future) I want to speed up the process and use a nail gun one time and not come back with screws. Should I just buy a 30 degree nail gun instead, because I do see where there are 1.5 inch ring nails available for it?

I know screws take longer but would you also stagger screws or would a straight line be better?

I wonder how to get pickets that align with no gap. I check at different HD stores and no 2 pickets align and leave a gap.

What’s your favorite nail gun for pickets?

I have a mg 42 nail gun it was made in Germany and is the fastest firing nail gun of WW2.

Apparently nobody in Florida knows how to build wooden fences. No concrete slugs(just a post in the sand and a prayer), everything is screwed(no nails but sometimes "2 staples for pickets?), every picket is soppin wet with treatment and crowned like the king of France from the lumber suppliers, picket tails buried in the dirt so they rot in 2 years, unprotected/non-beveled post tops so they collect seeds and start growing weeds out of them, rarity to find any cross-bracing on gates, etc.

Plumb or level 😜

What type of nails you using?

What length and type of nails do you use for the pickets?

I still don't understand how the pickets can be plumb if they aren't perfectly cut straight from the factory. IF all uneven from Lowes or Home Depot that would slowly push out of plumb. What's the explanation for this?

Did u make that jig u placed on top of boards

I can never find the answer to my question! How do you put pickets on the other side? I bought a house and I’m looking at the back of all my neighbors fences. Do I put 2x4s on the middle and bottom rails? I’m putting pockets on my side.

How long of nails do you use for 5/8 board and a 2x4?

Do you guys use a bottom pressure treated rail to prevent picket from rotting up?

What do you mean 4 pickets then level then post what do you mean about the post part

Nice. How do you do it with pickets that are nit straigbt?

I have a question, does each picket have a "good side, bad side, curved side" like 2x4s etc, or can you just randomly install them without looking them over ?

"Foreman fence installer" lol

He's butting the pickets next to each other with no space in between. I've always heard that's a big no, no because the pickets won't have room to swell when they get soaked with rain. I guess because of the thickness of the pickets he's using, they resist warping.

Im just curious what about spacing so that wind flow doesn't blow it it over?

You are not supposed to have them touching and you don't nail the top then bottom and then middle. You work down til you get to the bottom. If you nail top , bottom then middle it can cause the nails to pop out when the wood shrinks and expands puts a bond on it and pressure. Same goes if you don't put a space in between them

What size nails are you using ??

no need for gap?

what type of nail are you using?

What nail gun are you running ?

Anyone know where to get one of those strght aways? Cant find them, and im about to install a 200 ft wood fence.

What size nails for pickets and rails

Whst do you charge per foot for standard dog ear 6ft

U mean plumb not level right ?

What kind of nail gun are you using?

what type of nails in the PT wood?

Whats the nail gun are you using in the video and what kind of nails(size)?

You called the jig a straightaway.. I cannot find it with that term on a search. Can anyone help?

What sized nail for the planks

Posts should be level

What about picket expansion when it rains? But I suppose that method would minimize gaps. It seems that top guide would only be useful for flat terrain rather than changes in elevation.

What type of Nail (for pickets) do you recommend? Also, is there a Corless/Airless Nail Gun that you recommend for shooting picket nails (if there is one)?

First problem its plumb not level

this is built ass backwards so much easier to use a string and get the top looks nicer

Are those treated pine pickets? I'm planning on replacing our fence but have researched and found that most installers in my area are using poor grade cedar pickets ( grade 3) or not even western red cedar. I prefer cedar but may have to settle for pressurized pine.

Why didn't he put a 1/8 gap between pickets ?

☘ Irish Alien ~ Fence fix. 😇😇

What's the reason behind you framing on the face of the 4x4 and not in between?

Hope you keep up for 10 hours 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

The high low nailing at top rail isn't needed. I never had a problem. I never like the look of one nail high and the other nail low. Looks messy, but just my opinion

I agree but don't you have to use a level when the pickets are warped?

Never trust a builder wearing gloves, gotta protect those tender lil sandwich grabbers!😂

5:39 giggity

Level is across the top Plum is a up and down

Where can I get that picket tool

id be mad if that was my shitty looking fence.. nailed it like a roofer

No gaps, it's gonna warp and look like crap

7" Picket at the top. That's to much it will warp.

Do you mean plumb??

How do you make that cheater picket?

GOOD VIDEO , GOOD WORK , but please tell me about expansion, wood expands and contracts so all this good work is doomed to fail , please post picture of fence recently i know i am right .

what’s the name of the level for the picket??

What l don't understand is the logic of more board being held by High-Low nail pattern. It only stands to reason that the middle rail and lower rail would follow the same nail pattern. Why are you NOT nailing those to match and to support your claim? I will snap a line across for the high nail and another snapline for the low nail on all three rail boards and call it symmetrical. As above, so below. Either way, the nails are not the focus of the thing, the color and straight edges are.

I’m having a issue with going up a slope or raking pickets

This method is ok for flat level land but if the land is not flat, this would never work.

It's so much better if u put a 1x6 on the last 2x4 and a little piece of another 2x4 on the 4x4 to put the nails on the 1x6 to make the fence so much stronger, and damn just put a wire on the top of the 4x4 and stop using that thing jaja

I was instructed by a local fence installer to allow a small gap between each picket to let wind blow through. Is that not necessary?

who is he talking to? Never once looked into the camera.

4:42...what these bad fence builders always do and ya can see it plain as day..running the boards you'll secure the pickets against and look at those boards attached to the 4x4 posts...only TWO inches of that board holding up all that weight and using nails..lol..vs doing what I do...the right way...using 6x6 posts and staggering the boards up and down so you can put the entire board against the post. I use a 2x6 on the top and bottom boards and a 2x4 on the middle board. Then I can screw in 5-6 screws on each post where each board attaches to it and I use fat screws to add more strength. Then the pickets get two 1 1/2" screws onto each board and never had any of my fences I've built...the right way...failed. and putting the boards butt up against each other...lord..this video shows fast lazy "it looks nice in the end" fence building...no thanks!

You keep a torpedo level in your pocket and you chek them every 4 pickets.He doesent tell us hes using number 1 lumber.Most dogear pickets arent milled true.You better keep an eye on your work.