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#1
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
I am building a split-rail fence out of locust rails and posts. The posts will be set about 8 feet apart. I plan to dig postholes about 18 inches deep, and set the posts into concrete. What is the best method, and type of concrete ? My thinking was to use Quickcrete fast-setting concrete. With similar things in the past, I have mixed the concrete with water, and poured the mix in and around the post. But, it seems that I have heard that other folks just pour the dry power in the hole around the post, and allow the moisture in the surrounding soil to harden the mix. Others pour in dry, and then just add a modest amount of water in the hole. What is the preferred method ?? Thanks for any advice on this !! James |
#2
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
James wrote: I am building a split-rail fence out of locust rails and posts. The posts will be set about 8 feet apart. I plan to dig postholes about 18 inches deep, and set the posts into concrete. snip Thanks for any advice on this !! James Your 18" post hole seems way too shallow for a fence. Better do some more research on local conditions and methods and then worry about concrete mix. Typically, some metal fence posts are 7' tall and 3' into the ground. For a relatively short fence 2' would be a good choice. YMMV Joe |
#3
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
Joe wrote:
James wrote: I am building a split-rail fence out of locust rails and posts. The posts will be set about 8 feet apart. I plan to dig postholes about 18 inches deep, and set the posts into concrete. snip Thanks for any advice on this !! James Your 18" post hole seems way too shallow for a fence. Better do some more research on local conditions and methods and then worry about concrete mix. Typically, some metal fence posts are 7' tall and 3' into the ground. For a relatively short fence 2' would be a good choice. YMMV Joe True enough Joe. He didn't say where he lives, or frost considerations. |
#4
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
Let's please stick with the concrete question.... these posts will be 18
inches into the ground, and about 40 inches OUT of the ground. Split rails will be placed across the posts. This is a simple three rail fence, not a conventional fence with 6 foot posts. Perhaps I led you wrong on the facts. Thanks James |
#5
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
James wrote:
Let's please stick with the concrete question.... these posts will be 18 inches into the ground, and about 40 inches OUT of the ground. Split rails will be placed across the posts. This is a simple three rail fence, not a conventional fence with 6 foot posts. Perhaps I led you wrong on the facts. Still too short in the ground, concrete or no concrete... In a few years they'll be laying over. -- |
#6
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
James wrote:
I am building a split-rail fence out of locust rails and posts. The posts will be set about 8 feet apart. I plan to dig postholes about 18 inches deep, and set the posts into concrete. What is the best method, and type of concrete ? My thinking was to use Quickcrete fast-setting concrete. With similar things in the past, I have mixed the concrete with water, and poured the mix in and around the post. But, it seems that I have heard that other folks just pour the dry power in the hole around the post, and allow the moisture in the surrounding soil to harden the mix. Others pour in dry, and then just add a modest amount of water in the hole. What is the preferred method ?? Thanks for any advice on this !! James Just plain sand works great. The only posts that should be set in concrete are the ones that need to support a gate. -- Art |
#7
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
Nope, sorry. Gonna use concrete. My question relates to the best
concrete, and the method to plant them. thanks !! James |
#8
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
[flup set to a.h.l.g.]
James said: Nope, sorry. Gonna use concrete. My question relates to the best concrete, and the method to plant them. Just curious, but when the wood rots away, how will you replace it? And, you've been told (more than once) that the depth you've chosen isn't deep enough, yet you insist on not heeding advice. You seem to have the answers, so which one would you prefer to be told about the concrete? -- Eggs ..sig not found. (A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail? |
#9
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
On Jun 15, 8:50 pm, Eggs Zachtly wrote:
[flup set to a.h.l.g.] James said: Nope, sorry. Gonna use concrete. My question relates to the best concrete, and the method to plant them. Just curious, but when the wood rots away, how will you replace it? And, you've been told (more than once) that the depth you've chosen isn't deep enough, yet you insist on not heeding advice. You seem to have the answers, so which one would you prefer to be told about the concrete? -- Eggs .sig not found. (A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail? Since he isn't willing to accept _any_ advice, I wonder why he asked in the first place. FWIW the only time I used 'crete is for steel posts (chain link) or when setting posts in wet gruound (you can't tamp wet dirt). Last fence I built was 1980 or thereabouts, still rock solid except for a few of the RR ties that have rotted out. Harry K |
#10
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
On Jun 15, 9:08 pm, "James" wrote:
Nope, sorry. Gonna use concrete. My question relates to the best concrete, and the method to plant them. The best concrete to set posts is none. A couple inches of gravel in the bottom and ALL the dirt back in the hole is the "proper" method. And 18" is too shallow; a waste of, time, effort, money -and- concrete if you're still set on using it. 30" is minimum and probably code, and 36" is better. Locust is the best choice for the posts, but you'd be better off setting them on fire rather than in concrete. Nothing lasts forever, try digging out a post set in concrete. By the time you're finished you'll have changed your mind, if you live through it. The concrete mix doesn't matter, any one will rot your posts as well as another. ----- - gpsman |
#11
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
On Jun 15, 9:57 pm, gpsman wrote:
On Jun 15, 9:08 pm, "James" wrote: Nope, sorry. Gonna use concrete. My question relates to the best concrete, and the method to plant them. The best concrete to set posts is none. A couple inches of gravel in the bottom and ALL the dirt back in the hole is the "proper" method. And 18" is too shallow; a waste of, time, effort, money -and- concrete if you're still set on using it. 30" is minimum and probably code, and 36" is better. Locust is the best choice for the posts, but you'd be better off setting them on fire rather than in concrete. Nothing lasts forever, try digging out a post set in concrete. By the time you're finished you'll have changed your mind, if you live through it. The concrete mix doesn't matter, any one will rot your posts as well as another. ----- - gpsman I guess I will at least answer your question - Most big home centers carry "post-set" concrete. You dig the hole, put the post in (with space around it) fill the space around the post with dry mix, add water, and mix it up by pushing a pc of rebar up and down in the "soup". Sets quickly, works fine and is very convenient. JK |
#12
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
"Big_Jake" wrote in message oups.com... snip I guess I will at least answer your question - Most big home centers carry "post-set" concrete. You dig the hole, put the post in (with space around it) fill the space around the post with dry mix, add water, and mix it up by pushing a pc of rebar up and down in the "soup". Sets quickly, works fine and is very convenient. JK Sorry, but I must respectfully disagree about putting dry mix in the hole. I have seen this done, but I have never seen it work well - fences were always leaning within 3 or 4 months. It is not possible to mix the concrete in the hole - there will always be dry pockets no matter how much poking and prodding is done. Mix your concrete in a wheelbarrow and pour it into the hole. Bob-tx |
#13
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
James wrote:
Nope, sorry. Gonna use concrete. My question relates to the best concrete, and the method to plant them. thanks !! James There is no "best". The kind of concrete is irrelevant. As long as it is mixed properly any concrete will do what you want. -- Art |
#14
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
There is no "best". The kind of concrete is irrelevant. As long as it is mixed properly any concrete will do what you want. If OP INSITS on concreting them in secure them in place, tied off with ropes or something, use dry mix its more convenient, leave set tied up a week or so flood area a couple times, so its all hardened |
#15
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Best concrete for setting locast posts ?
"Art" wrote in message ... James wrote: I am building a split-rail fence out of locust rails and posts. The posts will be set about 8 feet apart. I plan to dig postholes about 18 inches deep, and set the posts into concrete. What is the best method, and type of concrete ? My thinking was to use Quickcrete fast-setting concrete. With similar things in the past, I have mixed the concrete with water, and poured the mix in and around the post. But, it seems that I have heard that other folks just pour the dry power in the hole around the post, and allow the moisture in the surrounding soil to harden the mix. Others pour in dry, and then just add a modest amount of water in the hole. What is the preferred method ?? Thanks for any advice on this !! James Just plain sand works great. The only posts that should be set in concrete are the ones that need to support a gate. I would agree. But any set in concrete should not be set completely in concrete- a couple inches of gravel in bottom, then post, then 1/3 or so of the hole with tamped gravel, then concrete. Give the water a place to go, instead of bottom of post always being wet. Locust takes awhile to rot, but anything rots eventually. aem sends... |
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