Existential Angst wrote:
Awl --

So ahm lookin to put up 6' stockade fencing between me'n'my brain damaged
neighbors, but I sure could do without the post digging, the concrete, and
the drama.

So's I made somewhat of a discovery:

I started pounding various cross sections of metal into the dirt -- first
rebar, then a 1 1/4 plumbing pipe, then 2x2x16 ga sq tubing.

The rebar was so-so -- too thin, really, to be stable in dirt, but wow, the
plumbing pipe is pretty strong and easy to bang in, and the 2x2 tubing just
*slices* its way in, and seems VERY strong!

Fence installing made easy!?
Has anyone done this? pro's/con's??

Now the Q is: how deep should I pound this 2x2 tubing into the dirt? I
read somewhere recently that posts should be buried a depth = to the fence
height?? That seems extreme.....
Altho pounding 2x2x16 ga tubing 6 feet, extrapolating from the approx 2 feet
I did, doesn't seem like it will be a biggie, assuming I don't hit rocks,
etc.

I've also read depths of mebbe two feet with concrete, but that seems like
there would be a crowbar effect, esp.in a good wind.

I'm debating various sizes: 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, and materials, alum vs. steel.
The alum will be 1/8 wall, ergo more pounding to bury it, but still proly
workable. And of course much more resistant to corrosion.

I've got a fair amount of 2x2x16 ga SS tubing, that I'll proly never use,
but using it for fence posts would proly leave me unable to sleep at night,
AND it will be a bitch to attach brackets to, etc, -- one of the advantages
of alum.

Opinions, idears, experiences??


6' stockade fencing is common stuff. The normal way to install is a post
between each 8' section. The posts are normally simple 4X4 treated posts
dug in or driven in at least 4'. The reason for the deeper posts is the
wind load. Those panels can generate a lot of force in a good wind.

I doubt I would use plain steel as it has a nasty rusting problem.
Aluminum wouldn't be my choice because of cost and strength.

As for the digging go out and lay out where your posts will be. Then
rent a post hole digger and dig them all and drop the posts in. Get a
pal to help and you can do a LOT of holes fast. Will last longer and
stay straight and require less work in the long run.

--
Steve W.
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