A client in Austin made me rethink how I mark for post holes

For years, I just used a string line and a tape measure, maybe a can of spray paint if I was feeling fancy. It worked, but I'd always end up adjusting a post or two by hand because something was a hair off. Then, about three months ago, I was putting in a cedar fence for a guy who used to survey land. He watched me set up for a minute and said, 'You know, a plumb bob and some stakes would save you that back-and-forth walk.' I felt kind of dumb for not thinking of it. Now I drive a stake at each corner, run my string, and use a plumb bob to drop my mark straight down from the string intersection. It adds maybe five minutes to the setup, but I haven't had to tweak a single post position since. The line is always dead on. Has anyone else picked up a simple trick like that from a client?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivanl184h agoMost Upvoted

Oh man, that's a solid tip. I started using a cheap laser level for the same reason, just to shoot a line. Saves so much time over the old string and guess method.

aaronowens5m ago

Cheap lasers drift like crazy in bright light though... you end up checking them every five minutes. A chalk line snapped once is a permanent reference you can actually see. Batteries die at the worst times too, always when you're halfway through a cut.