| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| James |
advice on steel post and wire fencing pleaseI’m going to be building two new grapevine trellises in the coming weeks. I’ve not done this before, so any advice you have will be a help.I’m not entirely sure that the wording I’ve used is correct, I’ve taken it from the BTCV book on fencing (diagram at the top of the page here ). If I'm not making sense, please say so. There will be 2 lengths of trellis, each 15m long x 1.4 m high. To maximise the length of useable trellis, I'll use a strut secured to the straining post (instead of a wire running beyond the straining post). I’m intending to use 2m steel angle posts, with approximately 0.6m below ground level. The ground is reasonably level, with undulations probably accounting for a variation in ground level of up to 6 inches. The advice I would like: 1) When using steel posts, do you seat the straining post on a stone heal? Or does it get its strength from being driven in without having a heal at its base? Likewise with the strut, is it important to provide a thrust plate at the base of the strut? 2) If I need to drive the posts in, how do I do this? With a sledge hammer or a steel post driver? (I have the former, not the later) How do I ensure the straining posts face into the line of the trellis correctly? 3) I need to make sure the straining posts and the intermediate stakes all end up at exactly the same elevation to ensure the wires pass from post to post without pulling on the intermediates. How can I do this? I haven’t got a laser level (& don’t intend to buy one...). In the passed, I’ve used a hose, some (clear) siphon tube and water…this is an option, but would like to hear of any other ideas you have. 4) How do you attach the strut to the straining post? I presume a nut, bolt and self-tapping washer? I want this trellis to last. Once it’s in, it should support my vines for many years to come. |
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| James |
no-one with fencing experience ? | ||
| Nick |
You could buy a laser level. You're only talking about less than a tenner. That aside, no idea. 
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| Treacodactyl |
I guess not many people have metal posts experience. Everything I know seems to be in the BTCV book. I would guess the stone heal is to stop the post from being forced further into the ground so I would think it's important for steel posts. If you use a sledge hammer to put the posts in I'd put a block of wood to protect the tops of them as well. |
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| RichardW |
Never done metal fencing but would suggest.
I would use T posts not angle at least for the ends. 0.6m does not sound very far into the ground for the ends. I would think a bigger post with 1m in the ground would be better for the strainers. I would use a large flat stone to stop the end of the brace pushing in. Post thumper to put them in (or make your own with a length of scaf type tube/pole & weld the end up with a heavy lump of steel. Also would put the ends in slightly leaning out so they pull into line when tightened. Richard |
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| towerhill |
I helped on a job putting up security fencing around an industrial estate a couple of years ago.
These were the posts for chain link fencing with barbed wire running around the top. For the runs we dug 2.5 ft holes about 1 ft square. Put posts in and filled with 5:1 concrete mix. The corner posts were set just as deep but with wider holes and more concrete. These also had diagonal strainers concreted in the ground also. They have been in for 2 years now up near the coast in St Davids and haven't moved. Hope this helps. |
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| Blue Peter |
This has a picture. I don't know how applicable it is to your plans:
http://www.vigoltd.com/vineyard-sundries.php Peter. |
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| dpack |
only a few so concrete is viable | ||
| James |
thanks for the advice everyone.
what do you mean dpack? |
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| Nick |
If you've got 50 posts to hand mix concrete for, it's less enticing. With only a few posts it's no hardship, perhaps?
Dunno, I've tried plugging dpack into my babel fish before. It often fails. |
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| Behemoth |
I think he's saying a few bags of postcrete is affordable and easy. | ||
| dpack |
yep affordable £5 ish a post ,easy to line up posts /prop vertical/split bag and pour into hole /water /wait
500 is a different game in line triangular braces might be good if there will be plenty of weight on the wires 5mm stainless wire rope will work well as a string |