# Privacy fence installation problem, need answer fast-ish **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 2, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123 "2015-05-02T22:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/1 "2015-05-02T22:18:31Z")
I want to put up a single 6-foot panel of composite fence, the kind where a composite sleeve fits over the 4x4 wooden posts. So, I bought everything I need, ready to roll, and the dang sleeve will not fit over the 4x4. The 4x4 is straight as an arrow, and I can get the sleeve on about 10 inches before it locks up. Gentle attempts to tap it on caused a small crack to form in the sleeve. I guess the lumber needs some sort of trimming/sanding/shaving. Would a local lumber yard take on such a small job? Would they think me loony for even asking? Any other suggestions? Thanks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/2 "2015-05-02T22:29:45Z")
Do you have a friend with a router? A medium sized router and a 1/4" round over bit would do the job. Another way would be to use a belt sander, but you’d probably find more future use for a router. A rasp would work too, but I’m a power tool guy when possible. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/3 "2015-05-02T22:40:44Z")
if it might be the corners then you can relieve (lessen or smooth) them some with a hand plane. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/4 "2015-05-02T23:20:00Z")
There are two kinds of 4 by 4’s. The rough ones with sharp corners. Then there are the decorative ones with already rounded corners. IIRC those also tend to be a smidge smaller as well. The second post might be the ones you need to use with that sleeve. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/5 "2015-05-02T23:40:34Z")
Thanks, everyone. I actually have a router that I’ve never used. Would have to get a bit. My other thought was to use my circular saw at a 45 degree angle and shave each corner\* off free-hand. Thoughts? mmm \*meaning the length of the lumber ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/6 "2015-05-02T23:52:01Z")
Either of those would work. Also either of those done unsafely may make the phrase “free hand” a bit too literal. So, BE CAREFUL. Though this type of work is not my bailiwick so I can’t tell you HOW to actually be careful in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2015, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/7 "2015-05-03T00:23:41Z")
Before you go any further, is the problem with every one of your 100 posts and every one of your 100 sleeves? Or just one post and one sleeve and all the others have been tested and fit together nicely? Or is the situation that you tried one pair, they stuck, and you’re guessing about the other 99? Once you know for sure which situation you’ve actually got, THEN you can make a plan. If nothing fits, you bought incompatible parts. Take it all back and get the right stuff. It may be the sleeves are cheap Chinese garbage that won’t actually fit typical US dimensional wood as it really is. Or as **billfish678** said, you got the wrong lumber. Manually shaving down 2 sides of 100 posts, power tools or no is gonna be a huge increment of work you’ll do well to avoid if possible. Yes, I’m guessing about how many posts your fence needs, but I bet it isn’t 3 or 4. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/8 "2015-05-03T16:33:23Z")
If you are using treated 4 x 4s that are very “fresh,” they should shrink slightly if you let them dry out. Procrastination pays off now and later! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/9 "2015-05-04T01:30:57Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > If you are using treated 4 x 4s that are very “fresh,” they should shrink slightly if you let them dry out. > > Procrastination pays off now and later! This may be the key point. They are treated, and feel very moist. How long to they take to dry out? mmm ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/10 "2015-05-04T11:36:31Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > This may be the key point. They are treated, and feel very moist. > > How long to they take to dry out? > mmm That depends on how wet they are and how you dry them. Also, as they dry, your nice straight posts may warp or twist. I’d lay them out on a couple cross pieces on a flat surface and turn them daily to discourage uneven drying. Four or five days may be sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/11 "2015-05-04T17:27:33Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Yes, I’m guessing about how many posts your fence needs, but I bet it isn’t 3 or 4. It looks like you’d win that bet. Unless the definition of the word “single” has changed, then according to the OP it needs one or two posts. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/12 "2015-05-04T18:11:59Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > It looks like you’d win that bet. Unless the definition of the word “single” has changed, then according to the OP it needs one or two posts. D’oh :smack::smack: … But skip reading just one small word and what do they call you ??? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/13 "2015-05-04T19:43:23Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > … But skip reading just one small word and what do they call you ??? 🙂 [MacGregor the sheep-fu](http://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/feuz6/whats_that_joke_that_endsbut_you_fuck_1_sheep/)…oh, wait, I missed a word or two there also. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-fence-installation-problem-need-answer-fast-ish/719123/14 "2015-05-05T02:19:40Z")
So…problem solved. I trimmed the corners by setting my circular saw at a 45-degree angle and running it the length of the posts x 4 corners. Next, I sanded all flat surfaces with a belt sander and very course sandpaper. It was a bit of work, and the sleeves were still pretty snug, but it worked. I appreciate all the advice. mmm