Operation Turnout

It had come to my attention that now that the sun-room addition is finished, using the adjacent patio area with propped up fencing as a turnout is not a long term viable option.  I cant dispute this fact and indeed I find the idea of grilling in an area where Ricky and Kassa have recently "been" is somewhat distasteful to me.  Therefore it was decided that operation turnout would begin.

The first phase of operation turnout is to remove the fifteen foot high privet bushes at the side of the house and hall them off to the convenience center.

The second phase in our plan is to protect the ac units from being targets.   I understand that urine is quite unhealthy for the life span of an ac unit.  I decided to fence in the units, however I needed to do so in such a way that the fence can easily be removed if the units need service or replacement.  I have an outdoor projects book which instructed me on how to layout the posts, dig the holes and set the posts in concrete.  Unlike the gentleman in this photo I did not have on my nice shoes and paints.  In the 90+ degree heat, covered in concrete dust, I looked nothing like this guy who clearly must be a pro.

Of course I also didn't have that fancy smancy auger.  Instead I had the old school manual kind.  Why was I doing this again..?

Oh ya...

I was trying to reuse as much material as possible from my old picket fence.  Any time you use old material measuring is kind of suspect.  It is worth mentioning that this shouldn't be considered a how to blog by any stretch of the imagination.  In fact I will take this opportunity to apologize to carpenters everywhere.

Rather than just nail the picket panels into the posts, I notched the posts so that the posts will hold the panels in place but the panels can be removed if the ac needs servicing.  I'm going to put in eye hooks on the inside to hold everything in place.  Notching the posts proved to be quite a time consuming challenge because as Murphy dictates, I left my chisels in the shed at the grey play field and it wasn't worth an hour round trip to go get them.  Instead a flat head screwdriver doubled as a chisel.  Why was I doing this again...?

Oh ya..

So the final steps were to notch and mount a 2x4 on the wall, (which I ripped from a spare piece of weathered 4x4), cut the posts down to size, and attach the decorative pieces on top of the posts.

My plan is to fence in from the front of the house to the picket fence post on the far side of the fire bush.  I think this will provide a nice turnout area where the boys can take care of things.  How far back this area goes however is still under negotiation.  I'm going to have a survey done to get a firm idea of the property line and then will proceed to the next step. For now.. the ac units are secure.. .. wheee.. 

Why am I doing this again.. ?

Oh ya..