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#1
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
I'm going to be building a raised garden bed out of pressure-treated
landscaping timbers, and I wanted to know how long re-bar would last in this material. First off, this is for a flower garden only, not a veggie garden, so anything leaching from the PT lumber will be of no health consequences. Secondly, this will be in a relatively hidden part of the yard, so it don't need to look incredibly purdy. For this reason, staining from the metal vs. wood is also of no consequence. I'm planning on predrilling holes through the timbers, then pounding re-bar through and into the ground about two additional feet. So my question is two-fold: 1. How long would this re-bar last before it rusted so badly from the PT chemicals that it lost it's holding abilities? 2. Is there a better material I could use similar (and as cheaply) to re-bar that wouldn't rust so badly? The bed will be three timbers high, so roughly 6 - 9 inches in total height. TIA. |
#2
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
Not much will be cheaper than rebar. If you have a chance, make sure
you interlock your corners. I have found this to be the best way to prevent movement. If I build one of these, I put the frame or design (if it is just a wall) and tack it together with some small galvanized nails on the edges. Once assembled, I take my drill with a spade bit and a 12" extension (HD or Lowe's, $6) and chuck up the 5/8" bit. Drill every 16 inches if it is on unlevel ground, and only go about 16" into undisturbed soil. If the ground is pretty level, then the stakes are only about 24" apart. In all cases though, you need to make sure your timbers have some 40d galvanized at the joints if you have them in the field. Also, no matter what the length, drill though your corner or turn joints and stake those. I never go more than 16" into the undisturbed soil, and never use less than a 1/2" bar. If I were afraid of rust, I would simply spray the bars with car undercoating before installing. At any rate, I still see one that I put in many years ago (7-8?), and nothing has failed anywhere on it. It looks like it has a few years left, and nothing was done to prevent rust. I don't think rust will be a problem for you, regardless of the PT you are using. And if it is just plain old landscaping timbers which are mostly dipped/soaked, not PRESSURE treated, you won't have problems. When you cut one, you will see what I mean. I don't think I have ever seen one of those things that the treatment material went more than 3/4" to 1" into the wood. I line mine completely with plastic like visqueen, rolling the plastic all the way up to the edge to be but off later for appearance sake. This will help keep unwanted plants from sneaking in as a root or runner. Robert |
#3
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
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#4
Posted to rec.woodworking
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
The rebar will outlast the wood by years. You may be able to pick some
up from a construction site scrap pile. robo hippy |
#5
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
I've done this is in the past, and agree with the other posters. However, I
recently had a job doing a large retaining wall with railroad ties. The owner didn't want rebar, so I broke down and tried Timberlock screws. They're great. You'll need a 1/2" drill to drive them in, but they're quick, easy, and solid as rock..... They are a bit pricey, but then it only takes about 15 seconds to drive one, aas oppoased to drilling, then driving in rebar.... YMMV --JD wrote in message oups.com... I'm going to be building a raised garden bed out of pressure-treated landscaping timbers, and I wanted to know how long re-bar would last in this material. First off, this is for a flower garden only, not a veggie garden, so anything leaching from the PT lumber will be of no health consequences. Secondly, this will be in a relatively hidden part of the yard, so it don't need to look incredibly purdy. For this reason, staining from the metal vs. wood is also of no consequence. I'm planning on predrilling holes through the timbers, then pounding re-bar through and into the ground about two additional feet. So my question is two-fold: 1. How long would this re-bar last before it rusted so badly from the PT chemicals that it lost it's holding abilities? 2. Is there a better material I could use similar (and as cheaply) to re-bar that wouldn't rust so badly? The bed will be three timbers high, so roughly 6 - 9 inches in total height. TIA. |
#6
Posted to rec.woodworking
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
I built a retaining wall using 4x4 Sunwood Pressure treated lumber. The
wall is 3 feet high and I secured by driving 1/2 rebar through holes I drilled with a larger auger and drill and driving the rebar at least 2' feet into the ground. Its been 10 years and I cannot see one instance of any movement or structural degradation. The wood itself looks great and even still has the red color wrote in message oups.com... I'm going to be building a raised garden bed out of pressure-treated landscaping timbers, and I wanted to know how long re-bar would last in this material. First off, this is for a flower garden only, not a veggie garden, so anything leaching from the PT lumber will be of no health consequences. Secondly, this will be in a relatively hidden part of the yard, so it don't need to look incredibly purdy. For this reason, staining from the metal vs. wood is also of no consequence. I'm planning on predrilling holes through the timbers, then pounding re-bar through and into the ground about two additional feet. So my question is two-fold: 1. How long would this re-bar last before it rusted so badly from the PT chemicals that it lost it's holding abilities? 2. Is there a better material I could use similar (and as cheaply) to re-bar that wouldn't rust so badly? The bed will be three timbers high, so roughly 6 - 9 inches in total height. TIA. |
#8
Posted to rec.woodworking
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Question about PT landscaping timbers and re-bar
Thanks for all the useful suggestions guys...I thank you, and my
hydrangeas thank you. |
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