Fencing

[rainyjim]

Would it be insane to suggest some type of "cap", "hat", or "roof" for the fence posts? Would that just be too expensive?

[kalakoa]

suggest some type of "cap", "hat", or "roof" for the fence posts?

Central Supply has PVC caps large enough for pipe posts.

Metal termite shields (for pier blocks) make a nice hat for large wood posts; I've also seen hunks of tire turned inside-out (not "pretty" but seems to work well).

[rainyjim]

I was imagining something substantial with an oriental look possibly utilizing ceramic tiles. The whole form/function thing - both?
It sounds expensive, maybe if producing a mold and using some locally sourced materials like crushed cinder could decrease costs.

[Tink]

If steel posts are set, you could always re fence with galvanized wire, then go back and wrap the steel,posts with rock and grout to seal it up tight, look real good when done, can do a post or two when you feel like it until finished. Just a thought...

Are you a human being, or a human doing?

[terracore]

One thing I noticed about the ungalvanized posts is that the ones that receive a lot of sun are lasting much longer. The ones with jungle up against them in the shade that never dry out are so weak you can bend them with one hand. If you have a bunch of ungalvanized posts, whatever you can do to keep the vegetation away from them will make them last much longer.

[MarkP]

Terracore:

How did you do the corner posts? Were they wood? Steel? What diameter? Diagonally braced or cantilevered? I assume that a hole was jackhammered first.

Thanks

[terracore]

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkP

Terracore:

How did you do the corner posts? Were they wood? Steel? What diameter? Diagonally braced or cantilevered? I assume that a hole was jackhammered first.

Thanks

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Our corner posts are like any of the others, though the fence isn't pulled as tight as it should be, but is working fine thus far. We have some diagonally braced posts at the fence on either side of the livestock gates because they push on the fence there and can compromise the fence by bending the posts. This is on a temporary fence line and it will eventually fail. Our newer gate doesn't use T-posts but regular pipe-like fence posts less likely to bend and they are in concrete. Our next livestock fence gate will use regular security fence posts. Our gate posts go into land that has been ripped so we don't have to jackhammer anything, its just a matter of using an o'o bar and elbow grease to move stuff around enough to make a crater to set the posts. Diagonal bracing does work with T-posts when its done right. I am suprised that my temporary measure (I used 10' conduit and hose clamps) works as long as it has on the temporary fence.

[TJRETO]

quote:

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Originally posted by terracore

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

sounds like a drilled hole and the post banged in with a mallet or sledge hammer.

I'll look for "mashed head" next time I'm up there.

In any case ... I can't decide whether self-install is really feasible -- some days it seems pretty easy, other times it's formidable. Will probably have to "just do it" to find out.

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Whatever you decide to do, make sure you get the galvanized fence posts. I'm pretty sure Mirandas is hands-down the cheapest but they also have them on sale frequently and a dollar off per post if you're buying a hundred of them is a substantial savings. Now that they come from China they are only like $3 more per post than the painted ones. The pre-existing fence on our lot looks pretty good (I think its level 3) but they installed it on ungalvanized posts and they have already rusted to the point where they are falling over. A fencing guy told me the vog interacts with the acidic soil and they literally melt away.

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[TJRETO]

Im listening to the conversations and thinking maybe when we do come over, that, perhaps a combination of natural plant or tree fencing along with a few strands of wire would hopefully accomplish the goal in mind (as to want u want out or want to keep in);;just seems easier to roll with nature rather than try to avoid the inevitable;;;I know my wife and I will have our share of challenges with this sort of thing;;;;TJ

[terracore]

That depends on what you want to do. Your method works great for a privacy barrier and will keep honest people out, but it won't contain livestock. (Well, maybe sheep)