How To Cut Fencepost Tops Without Specialty Tools

I built a six foot tall cedar fence and several of the post tops extended past the top of the fence. I wanted to have a consistent way of cutting the tops off evenly and without excess variation. I crafted a jig out of pinewood, clamped it in place after squaring it up and cut the tops off using a standard circular saw. Super easy.

Please follow common-sense sense safety standards when using power equipment and ladders.

[ratchriat]

love the jig you make all the cutting they're accurate.

[msk]

I bought threaded rod and 1/2” square tubing from HD, drilled 2 holes in each end of tubing then marked where to cut then screwed tight to post then ran a reciprocating saw across tubing. Quick cheap easy way that produces great result from me.

[jarrodlandahl]

Thanks for the tip! I think those that are saying use string line etc are kind of missing the point. Some people are great at cutting a straight line but I know for a fact I can't cut a straight line to save my life lol so this will help me with the deck posts I put in that my wife says are a bit to high! Thanks again.

[davidoreilly]

Excellent! It worked like a dream! Thanks.

[woodman]

I cut mine before putting pickets on. I can either a stringline and cut three sides in one continuous walk around the post motion, or set the top stringer and rest the shoe of the saw on the top stringer and cut three sides. Most times it comes out near perfect.
I keep it square by keeping the front of the shoe parallel by eye to the post edge while cutting.

Three cuts more accurate that two. Two can leave a step many times if not using a speed square for marking, or a jig like in this case.

[mikeh]

I don't have an existing fence, but using the clamp with a few 1 x 4s does the trick for me...Thanks!

[williamstubbs]

Kiss= keep it simple stupid. (not that you are, obviously) but i like it because of the simplicity of it. Nicely done!

[slavatko]

I came to this channel to see this beautiful yellow truck ;))

[garthdeb]

Great job on your fence- thks i am doing this tomorrow have 6 post for a privacy fence off the patio

[walk]

Haha cool I was getting sad that we in nz can't find the repro jig but ur idea great ty very much

[JungleJimABAB]

Thanks for posting. Good method and very helpful.

[bikerbobschoppers]

It all works but a chain saw less hassle if you have asset to one

[ghshomeimprovements]

I hate when fence follows the ground. Level the damn thing. It will be much nicer then just keep slapping panels. Since you have beautiful 5x5 post, put your rails in between then add pickets. Curb appeal matters

[gustavoreyes]

I haven' needed to cut any of the tops to my fence posts because I set the far corner posts the same height first, then i run a string from the tops each corner property posts making sure that I set the posts two feet under ground and my Property seems to be fairly level with no measurable grade. You probably don't dig the necessary depth on each post and your property has variances in grade. I used 8 foot posts.

[andrewarmstrong]

Did that kid say, "Hi Mr. Wilson?"

[michaellawrence]

Very cool! This is exactly what I needed to :D :D :D :D

[joshmason]

Wouldn't you rather run a string line after the posts are set up and cut them before you put the fence up? I worked in the fence business here in San Antinio for about 17 or 18 years and I've never seen a jig for cutting off posts. Try running a line and find the grade that way and cut those bad boys before you put up the fence. Much easier. That's how we do it anyway. Fence looks nice though. Just a guess, are you from up North somewhere?

[andrewjordan]

I definitely would cut off before pickets are installed...then they won't show above your nice fence....

[rickylai]

What is the name of the style of your fence?

[TherdCoat]

Wouldn't you want to create an angle at the top of the post, for water to run off?