On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 10:38:57 +0100, Hywel wrote:

In article ,
says...
I'm planning to build a painted wooden picket fence and I'm a bit stuck on
two main considerations. One is what would be the best type of commonly
available timber to use as regards durability. The other is in deciding how
the main posts are going to be fixed into the ground. Is there some kind of
metal socket available that can be set in concrete and then the post fitted
into the socket. Something similar to the "metapost" spiky affairs used for
garden fences but with a post release mechanism (perhaps a nut and bolt) to
allow replacement?

Metpost does a version that is specifically for setting in concrete. I
used them when replacing a larch-lap fence last year. They're very
good, and easy to put in straight, but I don't think the ones I used
have a bolt to allow th epost to be removed (I can't see the fence from
here). IIRC, the instructions mentioned cutting the timber near the
Metpost and burning the rest out.

Thanks, I'll have a look for those. I suppose not having a removal
mechanism would at least keep the socket looking trim and tidy. burning out
the old post when necessary wouldn't be too bad a method as a second
choice.
--
Tony Halmarack