From page 27
If you are a DIY sort of smallholder, consider making your own stile, but note that for this construction you will need to have a timber fencepost where you want to
Adding side posts makes it safer to climb
Simple and sturdy, and it doesn! t put any strain on existing fence elements
build the stile. Timber required( all 150x50mm): ❑ Step- 800- 900mm long ❑ Step bearer- 550mm long ❑ Brace board- 450mm long- notch into fencepost with chisel ❑ Bearer sides- 1 x 95mm long( at the brace post end), 1 x 210mm long( 160mm long + 50mm for the 45 degree bevel)-( at the fence post end) Rough sawn timber is best because it isn ' t so slippery underfoot.
Construction is simple: ❑ Dig in the brace post at right angles to the fenceline- 200-300mm behind your selected fencepost ❑ Nail sides to bearer, then nail bearer to fencepost and brace post( using 125mm flat head nails). Use a spirit level to set it horizontal- remember to set the bearer 50mm lower to allow for the thickness of step board. ❑ Nail the step on to the bearer( hard up against both posts with one end projecting through fence as a step by approx 150-250mm)- use 100mm flat head galvanised nails to secure it firmly to the bearer. ❑ Fit the brace- trim the end of brace board that fits to the fence line post to a taper- mark the fencepost and chisel a notch 20-30mm deep into
IN THE FIELD the post to receive the tapered end of the brace. ❑ Fit the brace into the notch, skew nail with a 100mm galvanised nail and skew nail the brace board to the brace post with three or four 125mm flat head galvanised nails. Use a rasp or plane to take any sharp edges off the finished stile. If the stile is going in a damp or shady area, a bit of chicken wire tacked on to the step board with 30mm staples will deal with the slippery step problems.
31 www. sasmallholder. co. za