Submitted by Trapdoormonkey t3_10it1c1 in DIY
Hey so I’m adding some new fence posts and I’m trying to understand how they did the prior one.
I looked at bits, but there’s no way this is hardware store size.
Couldn’t find pre drilled ones at lumber stores.
Do you know if a 4x4 post bracket will be enough for a 10’ post? Ideally would like to do a similar setup to the old ones.
Yes. This is how it originally was done.
Correct
You could cut off the pole flush, then bolt in a new saddle on top of the pier.(or drill and epoxy a new saddle in) I would stick with 6x6. 4x4s now a days warp much easier and won’t hold up as long.
I bet they used a self feed bit like a plumber would use, and a big ass 1/2" drill.
Yes a decent hardware store will have it.
How do you make sure you keep straight?
Not difficult when you have a long drill bit.
I tried to use a right angle square and it actually helped a lot to get the hole started straight
You can clamp a couple of straight guides to the post to assist alignment
I mean to core 2’ into the post, from the base. How will the straight guides keep me from curving will I drill?
You can clamp a couple of straight edges to the 6x6 to help guide your drill.
[deleted]
I doubt they used A drill press on 6x6 posts
Maybe a line boring rig but likely by hand.
this question is way too vague, and too many are trying to answer it!
Go on line to order the proper bit
You sink your post in wet concrete and let it dry that way.
Setting wood posts in concrete isn't legal everywhere, some cities prohibit it because the posts rot in the concrete if the climate is wet enough.
For a fence? The only restriction on fences I’m aware of in the model code (IRC) is height. Jurisdictions often put restrictions on fence setbacks and modify the IRC height, but a restriction on galvanized fence posts being set in concrete?
Yep. There are cities in my area, DFW, Texas, that require galvanized posts in concrete. There's a lot of clay in this area which holds moisture, so wood posts tend to rot enough to blow over in a storm in just five or ten years. OP should check to see if their AHJ has particular fencing requirements, what they've got now might be because of restrictive local fence codes.
That’s a metal post in concrete. I know they look similar l.
I know that OP's picture shows a metal post in concrete, though the drilled wooden post is definitely not a way I've seen before. Typically you'd use a full-length galvanized post and use brackets to connect the wooden fence panels. Not sure why OP's was done that way, seems to be extra work with no real gain.
There's no wood set in the concrete. If you look closely the wood stops and what's in the concrete is a metal pole. This pole was set in the concrete when it was wet so the person you're replying to is correct.
This is correct. I'm amazed that so many people think a person would waste so much time and effort to just drill down into that tube of concrete so close to the side without it crumbling to bits.
You can buy drill bit extenders for the extra depth.
Bolt the galvanized post into the wood post before setting in cement, that way you can level it easy
That appears to be a sono tube with a galvanized chainlink style post set into it. It’s easy enough to box around those with 2x4s to obtain a wood post look. You really don’t need the sono tube though. Nor would I leave it sticking up that far for just a fence.
How do I get the post into the 4x4? I’m worried about keeping the hole straight, and with what can I use?
You’ll need a level. You can brace the steel post to keep it straight or simply pound it in a bit to hold it. Then pour concrete in hole around it. Lots of videos online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6f98daPgFw If you’re using steel posts you can just bolt 2x4s to the steel. You don’t need 4x4s.
This wasn't put into the concrete after the fact, the concrete was poured around the post. Very common although normally centred. Basically there are these wide cardboard tubes that you can buy for this. To do this they dug a hole, put a cardboard tube in kindof like what's in a to roll, placed the post inside the tube, poured concrete in and let it cure.
Are you looking to add more or replace the existing one?
Definitely more, it looks super sturdy
What do you mean by “4x4 post bracket”?typical post bases handle lateral displacement - prevent the bottom of the post from getting kicked out - not hold posts upright. There is special hardware that you can bury in concrete to do that - it’s called a moment post base. The ones I’m familiar with, the concrete gets poured around it; it isn’t something you can bolt to a footing afterwards. And they’re at least $150/each for a 4x4 version, just for the hardware. Can’t remember height limit off the top of my head, but fence heights are often limited by code, and model code max I believe is 7ft. https://www.strongtie.com/standoffpostbases_castinplacepostbases/mpb_base/p/mpbz#ProductDetails
Not the OP, but I've done plenty of fence work myself, and really avoid just sinking posts in concrete like everyone seems to do. That piece there isn't one I've seen before, but good to know it exists. Thanks for the tip!
WOW! $150 for that!?! Its what,16 gauge stamped sheet metal? That's painful AF
Looks like thy clad a 2” galvanized round fence post with mitred 1x4 stock. That’s some good joinery if I’m right
Why do you want to change this ? It’s a galvanized pole wrapped with wood. If you wanted you could take the wood off and get brackets to hang 2x4’s off that pole. It looks like a great base to build off of though.
I want to make more like it but, 12’ high.
Looks like a dumbass built the original fence. I did fence building and owned fence company for 12 yrs . I wouldn't touch that fence . Except to tear it down and redo that bs .. my .02
How would you build a 12’ 4x4? Sonotube with cement, and the “rot guard plastic thing” around cement transition is what I was thinking.
What they have looks super sturdy though? I figured coring into the 4x4 and throwing a post in-say 2’, dropped into a sonotube cement.
So what it looks like they did and they put a metal fence post into a concrete. They just used a tube to pour the concrete in along with the pole. Then they basically made a 4x4 out of 2x4s. The basically built a box to slide over the pole so they could put the wood fence up.
Sono tube, that is the trashy bit about a foot below the top. Basically a cardboard tube that will rot away if you don't remove it. Use the steel poles with brackets you will never have to replace them.
Sono tube with metal pole inserted. Wood post over the pole, bolted in.
How do you get the hole in the wood pole, and make sure it’s straight?
A hole saw, Titan sells one. See my link, note I am not saying this will fit your size, etc. Just generically how it is done.
tylerjwilk t1_j5gbkba wrote
Sono tube. Put your post in. Fill with concrete.