Thread: Sourcing Old Fencing Rails

We are renovating our country place in the Southern Highlands of NSW. A year ago we had our post and rail fences replaced, and ended up with about 100 sticks of old fencing rails - 5 inch by 1.25 inch in old terms - actually 120mm by 32mm by 3.0m in modern measurements. They are probably local stringybark.

We have had them 'thicknessed' to 28mm thick, by planing down one face, and we cleaned up the edges on an old bench power plane, ensuring the widths are either 120mm or 115mm. The result is terrific, with a lot of character showing. The colours are generally creams with a bit of pink evident. Being fence rails, they had very little steel in them. Just the occasional coach screw and or fencing wire which were easy to remove.

My understanding is that these were standard size fencing rails years ago, and everywhere I go I see them on post and rail fences.

My problem is that we don't have enough to complete the job. We need another 60 or so sticks of broadly similar material. I have gone to all of the local recycling places. One place didn't have a single stick. Another place was able to supply 9 sticks. Most of the other timber places know the material, but don't have any.

I e:mailed members of our local landcare group, thinking that there would be somebody with some lying around on a farm somewhere. One place responded positively, but the boss seems to want to keep the timber for yard repairs. I am hopeful I can persuade him.

So I am looking for suggestions re sourcing 60 sticks of this material. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.