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I have installed some fencing on pahoehoe lava. If you drill a hole the right size you can pound the T-post into that. 1 1/2 inch is a little on the loose side but works. 1 3/8" is better. You have to pound it to get it in. In either case no concrete or epoxy is used, just the friction between the post and the ground. With 1 1/2" holes you might be able to get the post back out again, but it is held firmly upright. If you have solid pahoehoe and a good drill, the job is not so bad. Broken rock is a b**ch because you can neither drive things into it or drill easily into it without the rocks shifting.
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Electric fences are the cheapest going by tons, and better all around.
The nail trick is cool. That's actually code in Canada for putting plates on foundations, or was last I was there. They're more practical up there on a lot of things. Serious about what matters, not about what doesn't. The inverse applies here.
The new energy bill, apparently, will require every new house in Puna to comply with California energy efficiency standards, nationalizing the whole works in one fell swoop. I could see it coming. This is an aside, of course, but interesting to see it all come down.
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Oink,
As per setting the steel T post in the Lava. Over in Konafornia I've had the wonderful task of doing a great deal of decorative concrete form work. I used form pins/stakes for bracing the forms and they are 1" diameter steel pins. These could be pounded directly into the lava via sledge hammer, although I doubt they would hold well for fence use as they were not epoxied in and would give if stressed back and forth.
I would venture to say the steel post itself could be ground (use skillsaw and steel cutting blade)at the base removing the barb leaving the T bar intact. One can drill much larger holes, well over 3/4" with a roto hammer very easily into the lava and I would assume a 1.5" diameter bit would drive right through the lava like a hot knife through butter. I wouldn't use expoxy to set the post as it would prove very expensive to fill the void. I would use a mortar mix that contains only sand and no rock to set the T post within the hole. That would work very well... I guarantee it. You could also tint the mortar to match your lavas color. If the hole is just a 1/8" to 1/4" smaller or so in diameter; the hole could be filled with mortar first and the post can be pounded into place with a hand post driver into the mortar filled hole, setting it immediatly and therefore needing no set bracing. Try a couple test holes to establish the correct diameter for your T bar but a hole that's just a wee smaller than the T bar should allow for a quick easy set with a common post driver.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
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Sounds like the way to go, thanks.
Now I just need to get my butt there. I'm thinking one more year. Before the economy went poof I was thinking about now!
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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Drill 1 1/2" hole. Bang in T-post. No mortar. That is the way I and many others have done it. It works OK. It was recommended to me by local folks.
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Oink,
I lived over on the Kona side back in 2000-2001, bought a parcel in KulaKai in 03 and was suppose to move back in 05... I'm still over here in Seattle part time (now); LOL. Actually we're on our way now, the house is geting listed next week and as soon as it sells (should move quick) we'll be moving out to Waa Waa where we picked up a new "vog free" lot back in Feb. We seem to spend a great deal of time there though, we still havent moved yet and we're taking another trip in 3 weeks but we just got back less than 2 weeks ago. So, we're bouncing back and forth in limbo right now. The only thing keeping us over here in Seattle is getting this house ready to sell. I've waited over 7 years to get back there permanently, so I know the feeling very well.
We're renting a different VRBO this trip and the owner is trying to talk her kids and husband into moving to thier Leilani house over the San Diego house but they are holding her back as they are unwilling... she's bugging out about it too. They're many of us itching to get over there. My newest motto... JUST DO IT! I'm fed up with trying to wait for the perfect conditions. So what, we lose $150k on our OLD/PAST potential house value, our sanity is worth far more than that. I'm so fed up with hearing cars, planes, police helicopters and fighting traffic everyday. Sick of the fast pace, empty object possesions chase, depressing grey skies, cold, blah, blah, blah. The kids are on thier own now and enough is enough already. We're outa here. The mainland can kiss my ___.
Week before last I was clearing over 1000' of our overgrown driveway in Waa Waa and cussing only about how hard on the chainsaw Guava trees are. Nasty trees, I hate them. Anyhow, I'm with you on that note... can't wait to be moved over and mentally relaxing again.
South Florida is where you're at now I take it? Eeeks; I was over there last September and was happy to leave it behind. I did have one good night over there, but, I had to get drunk, it was in a very stinky bar called Blue Loues or something like that in Indiatlantic.
I wish you well on your desired move... life will be much better and I know that from experience.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
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Actually, Indiatlantic is considered central Florida. I lived there in early elementary school when my dad was the principal there. The area was still largely undeveloped at the time and there were even stories of panthers in the woods. There were plenty of snakes. I first learned to surf in Indiatlantic. My mother still lives in the county, Brevard. It's a little different now, than it was back around 1960. What brought you to Indiatlantic.
Oh yeah! Fence, Fence, Fence! Sorry!
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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I have a further question about drilling holes in undisturbed pahoehoe. On average (I know it will vary), how deep should the 1 3/8 - 1 1/2 inch hole be drilled?
Thanks.
Allen
Baton Rouge, LA & HPP
Allen
Finally in HPP
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I try for a foot or more but really 6" would be enough. It is unlikely that you will get every post nice and vertical. Just put your weight on it and bend it where it needs to go. I have never had the lava give before the post.
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What type drill do you use?
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
