[Gerald]

Get you a 4 foot level to use to be sure the post are straight. The level can also be used to make sure the fence boards are set straight. Leave about 1/8 inch gap between the fence boards....this allows for a few slightly crooked boards.

I used a string set at the top of where I wanted to top of the boards. Use a string level that attaches to the string to get the string set level."

A "one' person augur is only ok for a few holes.....then it is a 2 person augur. They are heavy and will really get hard to use. I found a post hole digger was easier to use. Have measuring stick to use while digging the holes or put a mark on the post hole digger. Lay out a string to keep the holes straight and evenly spaced, and then use a string to line up the post while setting them.

To install the stringers......if you are doing this alone, make you 2 support boards to hold the 2 x 4 stringer up while you nail/screw to the post. Support boards can be a 1 x 4 about 10 inches longer than the height of the stringer. Then nail a short piece of 2 x 4 about 3 inches from the top. This length allows the support board to be on an angle to hold the stringer next to the post.

Make 3 sets of support boards......one set for each height.

Buy about 20 or 30 extra fence boards to allow for some split or cracked boards. The store should give your money back for these bad boards and this keeps you from having to go back to get more.

Use all galvanized hardware. Be sure to get the brackets that connect the ends of the stringer boards together.

Mixing concrete.......doing it in the hole is easier and faster. Add about a quart of water and pour in some concrete. Use a 1/2 piece of PVC pipe or Re-bar about 5 feet long to mix this up good using an up and down motion.

Then repeat process until hole is filled. Add enough concrete until the concrete is about 3/4 inch above the ground. This will keep the water away from the post when it rains. Have a small trowel or piece of wood to use to smooth off the concrete and slope it away from the post.

Gates......anything wider than 40 inches needs 3 big hinges that are screwed into a 2x4. When placing the gate in position to connect the hinges, support [use wood blocks] the outer end of the gate about 1/2 inch high. This allows for the gate to sag some after installing the hinges and still be level.