Rounded fence slats

[Jmac80]

Hello all
Will soon be putting a new fence up, I would like to round the top of the fence slats just to make it a bit different from the normal square or spiked top fences in my area.
What would you all suggest would be the best way to round the tops of 200 plus fence slats?
I don't actually have a band saw yet but I'm looking to get one around the £400 mark in a couple of weeks.
Thanks

 

[speed]

Buy them ready round from a fencing supplier

 

[maltrout512]

Buy them ready round from a fencing supplier

:roll:

That's all very well said and done, BUT as Jmac80 said he's thinking on buying a bandsaw which would be used in the future for other projects. Then there is the great satisfaction in looking at the fence and say that I curved the tops. Not too difficult to make a jig that will repeat cut the curve (pivot point location) etc. If you need more help post or you can pm me.


All the best

 

[ColeyS1]

Unless im missing something id have thought a jigsaw would do the job .

 

[Racers]

Or a router and template, didn't norm do this?

Pete

 

[Jmac80]

Hi

Coley51: Yes a jigsaw i'm sure would do it but surely not the most accurate to get all the cuts the same? and maybe more time consuming?

Maltrout: I think some kind of a jig would be best to get them all accurate across many amounts.
This is all pretty new to me and i'm just starting to buy wood tools over the next while. I also plan on buying a router, could that do the same as a band saw for the curves? any help or ideas on a jig for either would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks
James

 

[Myfordman]

Is this a close board fence? if so then any profile on the top of slats will require you to get the overlap between boards spot on equal otherwise the cusps wont be in line.
I tend to find that I calculate the spacing for most of each bay then have to adjust as I get near the end of the bay which is fine for plain tops but not for profiles.

hth

 

[barkwindjammer]

Me personaly I'd 'gang cut' them in a vice with a handsaw-5 or 6 at a time, a touch up with a plane, and a going over with a heavy sander.

 

[Racers]

Hi, James

You won't see small differences in the slats unless you stack them up, its a fence not cabinetmaking, a jig saw will be fine.
You can hire them.
Norm used a router as he gets all his tools free and has to justify them some how.

Pete

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If you buy a bandsaw, make sure you hunt around, or buy second hand. I bought mine new. One price I found for it was Tesco - £420 - I paid (inc.del.) £265. That's one big difference. If I was prepared to pay £400, I'd probably have looked for a second hand one.
Don't forget your cut edges will need treating again.

 

[custard]

Interesting question, I'm in the same position, picket fence going up and wife adamant she wants rounded tops.

I assumed they'd be difficult to source (as I hardly see any around here) and therefore I was all set to make a template for the spindle moulder and gang cut them three at a time...but actually there was no problem sourcing them and no price premium over pointed top or flat top.

 

[misterfish]

As you're going to cut over 200 I would do what maltrout512 suggests and mak a simple jig to use on the bandsaw you are buying. Although the other methods would work they will be slower (and possibly more tedious and brain numbing).

Misterfish