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Short Summary
Main recommendation: Use CAMO hidden-fastener screws to attach horizontal five-quarter-inch by six-inch boards to fence posts, since they bury the screw head at an angle for a cleaner, longer-lasting fence. The presenter says this setup can last about 20 to 25 years before signs of wear appear and that it avoids the rot and splintering seen with surface screws. The video walks through leveling the first board with a string line, staggering joints, and pre-drilling before mounting.
Key Points
- CAMO screws come in at an angle through the board's rounded edge, keeping screw heads out of sight so the wood can swell over them after rain.
- Surface screws trap water at the screw head, causing rot and discoloration around each hole, while the CAMO-fastened sample at a 2015-era trade show demo (described as twelve years old) looked almost new.
- The presenter says the CAMO method is more labor-intensive than surface screws but outperforms them enough that he recommends charging clients additional cost for it.
- The fence uses a level first board and a string line as the reference for the rest of the boards.
- Posts are spaced about 141.5 inches apart (a couple inches shy of six feet) so cut ends can be trimmed and joints can be staggered for a tighter, squarer result.
Details Worth Noting
Concrete instructions:
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Choose the straightest board for the first course, attach it, and level it until the bubble sits between the level lines (about 1/16 inch of gap on each side is described as level).
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Stretch a string line over three posts, marking a center point and six-foot span, then mount it to set the line for the rest of the fence.
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Plan post spacing about 141.5 inches center to center for a 12-foot board, which leaves room to trim split or knotty ends.
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Cut the board ends clean and square, avoiding knots, staples, and dark stains, so butt joints fit tight.
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Pre-drill the holes and seat the CAMO screws in the fence post before lifting the board, since driving them without pre-drilling is difficult and can cause finger injuries.
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Once the board is at the string line, drive the pre-mounted screws immediately; if the screw doesn't start, a nail punch can give it a starting point.
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Stagger joints rather than building from one end, so any warped board is easy to spot and correct.
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Lumber often arrives wet and shrinks as it dries, which can open gaps, so the presenter mentions adjusting which side of the line each board sits on to avoid direct see-through lines.
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The presenter notes the CAMO system is originally designed for deck boards, and that finishing the fence is just repeating the same process 50 or 60 more times.
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Planters made from the same lumber are planned for a later stage of the project.
Bottom Line
Hidden-fastener CAMO screws, combined with careful leveling and staggered joints, give a longer-lasting, cleaner horizontal fence that is more labor-intensive but worth the extra cost.
