How to clean cut picket fence rails?

[Aedp1]

I need to remove two panels of my fence to allow bob cat in to excavate soil for new garden. I have Ryobi 1 reciprictor saw. What is bext way/tool / attachment to cut the rails to get a clean cut and then what is best option to brace when I put it back.  TIA.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Aedp1,

Thank you for your question about how to remove some fence panels to allow a bobcat to get in.

Can you see where the rails are attached to the posts? Are there screws or nails anywhere?

Ideally, you should be able to just unscrew or pull the nails out so you can lift the panel off without having to cut anything.  

If we can avoid cutting the rails, that would be ideal as you would need to add blocks to the side of the posts for the rails to sit on. This puts the load from the fence panel on these blocks and the screws that hold them in place, as opposed to down through the posts, which is possible, but not ideal.

Please have a look for the location where there is a join in the fence rails and let me know what you find. It is likely located right over the posts.

Jacob

[Noyade]

G'day @Aedp1 and @JacobZ 

To my eyes it looks like they have trenched the post to accept the end of the railing? I thought I saw (blue) the over-cut of a multipurpose tool blade?

How deep - I dunno.

Then I think I see four (red) nails?

Slide a multipurpose tool with a metal cutting blade into that area and cut the four nails.

A King's Birthday thought.

Just curious @Aedp1  - every bobcat I've seen simply moves up the driveway. Why do they want your fence down?

[AlanM52]

Hi Aedp1,

Some of those posts will have the rails running straight through them and some will have rail joints.

Pick a location you want to clear for the bobcat.

Remove a paling that covers a post.

The rails may run straight through or have a join - that's good.

Remove another paling from a post left or right of that.

Use a power saw and make a plunge cut only deep enough the cut the rails.

Most likely nail gun was used so...

Use hammer and pry bar to carefully free that section from the posts.

When the job is done replace and nail followed by the palings which will cover those saw cuts.

Cheers