How to Mark and Drill End Posts for Your Cameo™ Horse Fence
Once your posts are set — corners, ends, and line posts — the next critical step in your Cameo™ Horse Fence installation is properly marking and drilling your end posts.
In Episode 4 of the Cameo™ Installation Skill Builder series, Clayton walks through exactly how to drill an end post correctly so your fence lines are straight, clean, and built for long-term performance.
Why End Post Drilling Matters
Your end posts carry tension. They anchor your fence lines and hold everything tight.
Improper drilling can:
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Imbalanced hardware
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Excessive strain on components
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Uneven fence appearance
When drilled correctly, your Cameo™ and Cameo Pulse™ lines will:
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Sit level
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Maintain correct spacing
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Install efficiently
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Have added longevity
Tools You’ll Need
Keep it simple. You don’t need specialty tools or expensive bits.
Requirements include:
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3/8" drill bit (approx. 12")
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3/4" drill bit
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Standard electric drill
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Story pole (recommended)
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Tape (wrapped 2" up on the 3/4" bit as a depth marker)
Pro-Tip from Clayton:
Skip the expensive auger bits.
Standard, inexpensive drill bits work just fine. Auger bits:
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Draw more power
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Heat up quickly
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Add unnecessary wear on your drill
Simple tools get the job done.
Step 1: Use a Story Pole for Perfect Layout
Cameo strongly recommends using a story pole. Because your posts are set at exactly 52 inches, the story pole fits perfectly without adjustment. No tape measure needed, as all markings are within the Story Pole!
No guesswork.
No recalculating.
The Story Pole:
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Marks a standard 52" post height
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Has pre-measured marks for:
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End/Gate posts
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Corner posts
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Line posts
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Eliminates measuring mistakes
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Increases efficiency
Step 2: Find and Mark the Center of the Post
Before marking Cameo™ Line locations:
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Stand directly in line with your fence run.
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Mark the center of the post at the top.
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Mark the center at the bottom.
This ensures:
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Your story pole is perfectly centered
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Your holes drill level.
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Your fence line stays aligned
Step 3: Mark All Six Line Locations
For a standard six-line Cameo™ fence:
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4 lines of Cameo™
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2 lines of Cameo Pulse™
Using the end post markings on the Story Pole:
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Mark all six line locations.
PRO-TIP: Clayton recommends marking the Pulse lines with a “P” so you don’t mix them up.
In a six-line setup:
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Top line = Pulse
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Second from bottom = Pulse
The remaining four lines are standard Cameo strands.
***If you don't have a Cameo Story Pole, mark your end posts at the following measurements:
Cameo Pulse lines: 47" and 15"
Cameo Lines: 40", 32", 24" and 8"
Step 4: Drill the Four Through-Holes for Cameo Lines
Using your 3/8" bit, drill the four Cameo strand holes completely through the post.
Important tips:
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Drill straight in line with direction of the fence.
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Keep the drill level — not angled up or down
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Stay centered.
**These four holes must go all the way through the post.
Step 5: Hollow Out the End/Gate Side for One-Way Vices
Switch to your 3/4" drill bit.
Now the holes made for Cameo Lines in the previous step, need to be hollowed out approximately 2 inches deep, on the End/Gate side only.
This creates placements for:
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One-Way Vice hardware
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Proper seating of tension components
Only the end/gate side needs hollowing, NOT the fence side.
PRO-TIP: Clayton wraps a piece of tape 2 inches up the bit and it acts as a depth stop.
Step 6: Drill Starter Holes for Cameo Pulse™
Switch back to your 3/8" bit.
Now drill the two Pulse holes from the fence side only.
Important:
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These holes DO NOT go all the way through.
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ONLY drill 3–4 inches deep.
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This creates a pilot hole for the End/Gate Post Insulator.
The End/Gate Post Insulator will screw directly into these two Cameo Pulse™ holes.
Why This System Works
This drilling method ensures:
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Measured alignment of all six lines
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Correct hardware locations
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Reduces post splitting
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Increased support for tension points
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Professional-level installation results
When every end post is drilled consistently, your entire fence run is clean and uniform.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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❌ Drilling off-center
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❌ Not marking Pulse lines clearly
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❌ Drilling Pulse holes all the way through
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❌ Over-drilling beyond 2" with the 3/4" bit
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❌ Using oversized or unnecessary auger bits
Precision beats force every time. As the old saying goes, "Measure twice, drill once."
Ready for the Next Step?
Once your end posts are drilled, you're ready to move on to:
Marking and drilling line posts and corner posts — which Clayton covers in the next episode of the Cameo™ Installation Skill Builder series.
Each step builds on the last, making installation straightforward and efficient.
Final Thoughts
Marking and drilling end posts sets the foundation for proper alignment, tension, fencing longevity.
You can prep an end post minutes with:
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Utilizing the Story Pole
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Correct markings, on center
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Standard drill bits
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Level and straight drilling