use concrete

It keeps from hurting the thieves as they jump the fence coming in and jump it again when they leave....less chance of a lawsuit.

I would use 8' metal post and concrete or a 10' metal post and drive it 4' into the ground. Shouldn't have a problem either way.

Yes use the concrete. There really is no need to mix it with water first - that's just making extra work for yourself.

Whatever you do, don't cheap out and buy untreated wood. It will rot out before the summer is over in that clay.

man I wish I could use a one or even 2 man hole auger in my yard. I am in the process of replacing my fence posts (builder used landscape timber.) I had to dig 2 new holes and hit rock about 6 inches down. Had to rent an electric jack hammer to get them dug. Still have about 8 left to dig out.

You got that right! Talk about a labor saver--

Just remember that old say, "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have".
I would mix us some sacrete and use it. How many posts are we talking about?

Ok, I got the posts set and wire strung. Now I need 93 2x4x8's, preferably in cedar or treated. I've checked Lowes-Home Depot, which has so-so lumber, and peeked on Craigslist and found some decent pricing.

My question now is, does anyone have a bud in the lumber business with competitive pricing by chance? I am not retail friendly.

I've built many fences using the "so-so" lumber at lowes...My suggestion is to use 2x4 treated. It's gonna cost more, NOW! not in the future when you have to repair it. I would use a lag bolts to attach the rails to the post...if ya got the right power tools!

Cedar supply in Richardson or Redwood Supply in Carrolton.
You can get almost any size lumber from them.

http://cedarsupply.net/

http://redwoodsuply.rtrk.com/?

did ya mean 2x4 or 1x4?
2x4 is gonna get pricey no matter where ya go.
are these for the pickets?

2x4's. These will be used as the cross rails, 3 per section.

Keep in mind Home Depot will "meet and beat" by 10% the prices of other folks. I saved about $150 when I did my fence by going to Lowes and having their contractor desk print me up a quote on all the lumber. Then driving down the street and having Home Depot beat their price by 10%. Also both places wont tell You unless You ask for it, current and retired military get 10% discount every day.

I always use treated 2x4's as the cross rails and then use cedar pickets. That is unless I'm building a decorative cedar fence(BOB), then I will use the cedar 2x4's.

Make sure and pick through them and find the straightest ones. Oh wait you said 93, that might take awhile.

Cedar supply has always had the best price in town on cedar. Comes right off the train to their yard. The only problem, you don't get to inspect your cedar before buying it. They bundle it and have it ready to load. I usually end up buying 5-10% extra to make up for any bad boards. Price is still better than other lumber yards.