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 .
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