Topic: Drive a fence post
Anonymous A started this discussion 14 years ago #18,366
I'm trying to drive a 3 foot fence post into the ground about 1 foot. Easiest way to do it? I put a bit of wood on top (to protect the post) then smacked it with a hammer, works but really slowly. Unfortunately I don't have a sledgehammer, but maybe I will try hitting it with the blunt side of a big axe. What are my options without buying equipment?
squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later[^] [v] #305,519
Dig a hole
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 4 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #305,521
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 27 seconds later, 5 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #305,522
@305,519 (squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc)
Maybe if your name was fencepost, your advice would be worth a damn.
Maybe if your name was fencepost, your advice would be worth a damn.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 14 minutes later, 19 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #305,523
Take a spade and etch around the fence post to ease the dirt. Then smack it with the axe.
squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 25 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #305,524
Ks !KansasxqvM joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 36 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #305,537
@OP
Cut a board of similar size (preferably slightly smaller) to a sharp point and use that to create most of the hole, if the ground is dry and hard water it really well in the evening and do it the next day.
You're welcome.
Cut a board of similar size (preferably slightly smaller) to a sharp point and use that to create most of the hole, if the ground is dry and hard water it really well in the evening and do it the next day.
You're welcome.
(Edited 54 seconds later.)
squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #305,538
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 40 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #305,552
@305,523 (D)
Yeah didn't think of that actually I'll try mashing up some of the grass with a shovel then give it some with the axe.
@305,537 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
> Cut a board
Sorry, what do you mean? They're square wooden posts 3 inch wide, already have a decent spike on them.
Yeah didn't think of that actually I'll try mashing up some of the grass with a shovel then give it some with the axe.
@305,537 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
> Cut a board
Sorry, what do you mean? They're square wooden posts 3 inch wide, already have a decent spike on them.
squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #305,553
@previous (A)
He means cut a smaller board to make a pilot hole with. You'll never get a 3" post into the ground 12" deep by just hammering. Even with a sledge it would be hard if not impossible. You'll spend more time per post then if you just make a pilot hole.
He means cut a smaller board to make a pilot hole with. You'll never get a 3" post into the ground 12" deep by just hammering. Even with a sledge it would be hard if not impossible. You'll spend more time per post then if you just make a pilot hole.
Ks !KansasxqvM replied with this 14 years ago, 12 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,555
@305,552 (A)
Those little decorative fences are a pain in the ass, either get the ground nice and soft with water or make pilot holes. Better yet do both. If I was installing that fence I'd either dig the holes or make bigger holes with a pilot and set the posts with a mixture of 60/40 cement/dirt. One foot into the ground leaves a flimsy fence unless you anchor the posts in with at least some cement. Hell you can even just pour dry cement mixture in the holes and top with dirt, the cement will extract moisture from the ground around it and set up fine. I dunno, if you're going the trouble of putting in the fence you may as well do it right.
It's only 17 holes, grab a spade and some cement, it'll only take an hour or so. It's what I'd do.
Those little decorative fences are a pain in the ass, either get the ground nice and soft with water or make pilot holes. Better yet do both. If I was installing that fence I'd either dig the holes or make bigger holes with a pilot and set the posts with a mixture of 60/40 cement/dirt. One foot into the ground leaves a flimsy fence unless you anchor the posts in with at least some cement. Hell you can even just pour dry cement mixture in the holes and top with dirt, the cement will extract moisture from the ground around it and set up fine. I dunno, if you're going the trouble of putting in the fence you may as well do it right.
It's only 17 holes, grab a spade and some cement, it'll only take an hour or so. It's what I'd do.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,556
@previous (Ks !KansasxqvM)
It should be a pain in the ass to pull the posts out if they're a foot deep (guessing). I was planning on cementing them if anyone tried to fuck with it but meh. Mixing cement is a giant pain in the ass. Will it really be easier if I wet the ground?
It should be a pain in the ass to pull the posts out if they're a foot deep (guessing). I was planning on cementing them if anyone tried to fuck with it but meh. Mixing cement is a giant pain in the ass. Will it really be easier if I wet the ground?
Ks !KansasxqvM replied with this 14 years ago, 9 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,557
@previous (A)
> It should be a pain in the ass to pull the posts out if they're a foot deep (guessing)
Not at all, and the first time somebody bumps that shit or kicks it after rain you're gonna have crooked fence.
> Mixing cement is a giant pain in the ass
Like I said, you can use straight up dry cement or just mix it with dry dirt in a bucket or wheelbarrow. Mixing cement properly sucks, I agree, but it's not needed here.
> Will it really be easier if I wet the ground?
Of course, but I mean you really gotta soak that shit to get the moisture deep. I did landscaping for years, if the ground was too dry for a particular project (edging comes to mind) we'd soak the hell out of it and work on it the next day. The amount of water used depended on the type of soil, time of day and how hot is was. A bit of guesswork involved in getting workable soil. You don't want muck, just a nice soft soil.
> It should be a pain in the ass to pull the posts out if they're a foot deep (guessing)
Not at all, and the first time somebody bumps that shit or kicks it after rain you're gonna have crooked fence.
> Mixing cement is a giant pain in the ass
Like I said, you can use straight up dry cement or just mix it with dry dirt in a bucket or wheelbarrow. Mixing cement properly sucks, I agree, but it's not needed here.
> Will it really be easier if I wet the ground?
Of course, but I mean you really gotta soak that shit to get the moisture deep. I did landscaping for years, if the ground was too dry for a particular project (edging comes to mind) we'd soak the hell out of it and work on it the next day. The amount of water used depended on the type of soil, time of day and how hot is was. A bit of guesswork involved in getting workable soil. You don't want muck, just a nice soft soil.
(Edited 1 minute later.)
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,559
@previous (Ks !KansasxqvM)
> straight up dry cement
Qualified brick layer here I never heard of doing that shit yet are you sure it would fucking work properly? Pouring dry cement mix into a hole and burying it would feel pretty weird...
> straight up dry cement
Qualified brick layer here I never heard of doing that shit yet are you sure it would fucking work properly? Pouring dry cement mix into a hole and burying it would feel pretty weird...
Ks !KansasxqvM replied with this 14 years ago, 9 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,562
@previous (A)
Sure it will work, it's not optimal, but will do the job. In fact it's done quite often for a quick n' dirty job. If you're a brick layer you know how fast dry cement mix soaks up moisture and turns hard. Dry cement topped with dirt, water when done, easy peasy. Don't set up fence without setting the posts in cement man, that'll be so cheap and shoddy. :/
Really your holes should be at least 2 x the diameter of your posts. I dunno what kind of fence set up you got going on, but just thinking about a shoddy fence hammered into plain dirt only 1ft deep without any cement really ruffles my jimmies.
Sure it will work, it's not optimal, but will do the job. In fact it's done quite often for a quick n' dirty job. If you're a brick layer you know how fast dry cement mix soaks up moisture and turns hard. Dry cement topped with dirt, water when done, easy peasy. Don't set up fence without setting the posts in cement man, that'll be so cheap and shoddy. :/
Really your holes should be at least 2 x the diameter of your posts. I dunno what kind of fence set up you got going on, but just thinking about a shoddy fence hammered into plain dirt only 1ft deep without any cement really ruffles my jimmies.
(Edited 3 minutes later.)
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,563
@previous (Ks !KansasxqvM)
> I dunno what kind of fence set up you got going on
Just uh putting those posts in then wrapping a fuckton of barbed wire between them. Yeah I should probably go buy some cement and do that. Not sure where I can buy cement mix in the UK
> I dunno what kind of fence set up you got going on
Just uh putting those posts in then wrapping a fuckton of barbed wire between them. Yeah I should probably go buy some cement and do that. Not sure where I can buy cement mix in the UK
(Edited 26 seconds later.)
Ks !KansasxqvM replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,565
@previous (A)
> wrapping a fuckton of barbed wire between them
Wololol.
> Not sure where I can buy cement mix in the UK
Quickcrete is pretty popular here, I'm sure there is an alternative in the UK.
> wrapping a fuckton of barbed wire between them
Wololol.
> Not sure where I can buy cement mix in the UK
Quickcrete is pretty popular here, I'm sure there is an alternative in the UK.
squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc replied with this 14 years ago, 24 seconds later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,566
@305,563 (A)
Am i posting in a t04str.
Oh wait.
"qualified brick layer."
Yeah, t04str doesn't fit that at "qualified."
nvm
Am i posting in a t04str.
Oh wait.
"qualified brick layer."
Yeah, t04str doesn't fit that at "qualified."
nvm
squeegee !hbZVTk6JYc double-posted this 14 years ago, 12 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,569
Wait a minute... What kind of qualified brick layer doesn't know where to buy cement? That's like a qualified plumber not knowing where to get pipe fittings.
This is a to4str thread!
This is a to4str thread!
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 21 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,575
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,598
@305,565 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
How long will it take to set if I just throw some water on the cement mix? I guess the cement will be weaker? Will it still grip the post OK though?
How long will it take to set if I just throw some water on the cement mix? I guess the cement will be weaker? Will it still grip the post OK though?
squeegee !firstkPE1Q joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,600
i've done some quick and dirty napkin math and have found that if you accelerate a 3x3 fence post to 231mph it will embed itself 1 foot into the ground. I wouldn't recommend wetting the area at all if you do this, it'll crater out too much material. just do it when the ground is dry.
no concrete required.
no concrete required.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 38 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,608
SQUARED :3 !L.....AlN. joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 5 hours later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #305,665
Dig a hole.
Place the fence post in said hole.
Pour in cement
Then wait.
Place the fence post in said hole.
Pour in cement
Then wait.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 12 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #305,735
@305,565 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
@previous (SQUARED :3 !L.....AlN.)
Yeah I decided to cement them in bought a ton of pre-mix cement for fence posts you just add water to I'm gonna use a ton of fucking cement on all of it won't have to worry about anyone fucking around with my damn fence so thanks for the advice...
@previous (SQUARED :3 !L.....AlN.)
Yeah I decided to cement them in bought a ton of pre-mix cement for fence posts you just add water to I'm gonna use a ton of fucking cement on all of it won't have to worry about anyone fucking around with my damn fence so thanks for the advice...