Barn post

[Hogfarmer10]

I have a barn post that needs replacing. Currently it’s an 8”x8” x 10’ oak post. I can only find 6”x 6” pressure treated pine posts to replace it with. I could also sister 2 4”x6” posts together to basically create an 8”x6”. I cannot go much thicker than 8” because there will be gate hinges that have to go through it. What’s everyone’s thoughts?

 

[kenny thomas]

Have someone with a portable mill cut one whatever size you need.

 

[Hogfarmer10]

I wish that was an option. The only portable mill I know of has a 1,000 ft minimum. All the traditional mills around here have all shut down.

 

[Warren Allison]

I have a barn post that needs replacing. Currently it’s an 8”x8” x 10’ oak post. I can only find 6”x 6” pressure treated pine posts to replace it with. I could also sister 2 4”x6” posts together to basically create an 8”x6”. I cannot go much thicker than 8” because there will be gate hinges that have to go through it. What’s everyone’s thoughts?

Lowe's has them . But pressure treated 8 x 8s will actually be 7 1/4 x 7 1/4. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-8-8-12-SEVERE-WEATHER-2-OR-BETTER/1001787136

 

[Hogfarmer10]

That’s where I found the 6x6s. My local Lowes will only order the 8x8s if I take a whole bundle.
Any thoughts about if the 6 x 6 post will hold?

 

[CowboyRam]

You should be able to special order what you need from a local lumber yard. I would not mess with the big box stores.

 

[kenny thomas]

I wish that was an option. The only portable mill I know of has a 1,000 ft minimum. All the traditional mills around here have all shut down.

Let me check over here. 8"x8"x 10ft?

 

[Travlr]

That’s where I found the 6x6s. My local Lowes will only order the 8x8s if I take a whole bundle.
Any thoughts about if the 6 x 6 post will hold?

I've ordered small quantities from Ace.

In Arkansas there were a lot of backwoods sawmills. Talk to people that heat with wood, because they may buy slabwood for their stove.

If you find someone that can cut something for you and the end is going in the ground, make sure you get "post" oak and not red or white oak. And if you buy from a lumber yard you'll want red treated rather than green treated wood.

The compression strength of wood is far greater than the break strength across the grain. Does this post hold up a loft? Or what?

 

[Lucky]

Reaplace them with metal post. It'll be better

 

[SmokinM]

Is it a compression load or a lot of side load? I would think surely somebody up in those hollers has a little band mill and could whip you out an 8x8. If you do find somebody and this post is ground contact make sure you cut it out of white oak with no sap wood. Red will rot in short order.

 

[jltrent]

A 6x6 and add a 2x6 to the side would be close. A lot of beams in homes they tack multiple 2 byes together. If you have some good cedar trees, get one of those and have somebody with a small portable mill to square it up. I have had that done before by a neighbor.

 

[Travlr]

Due to its high strength, post oak is excellent for structural applications like posts and beams where load-bearing is critical. Cedar's strength is adequate for many uses, but it is often chosen more for its natural rot resistance and lighter weight.

Cedar is a more brittle wood with less compression strength.

 

[Ebenezer]

Some commercial building around here use 2X's and use treated wood in the ground with enough treatment to last. They stagger the lengths so that the wood sticking out of the ground is various lengths. Then the use untreated wood above that and the uneven nailing, gluing and bolting points make them stronger. The direction of the laps are perpendicular to the expected loads. Make what you want type posts that work.

 

[WAnabee]

I ordered an engineered kit pole building awhile back and the plans called out 8"x8" posts with 2"x10"s scabbed onto either side to create almost like an I-beam. Maybe this is an option

 

[SmokinM]

5 2x8s laminated would give you a 7 1/2” ( roughly) sq. post and would likely be as cheap as a treated 8x8 or something custom. It would be plenty strong as well if you put it together right.

 

[GoWyo]

5 2x8s laminated would give you a 7 1/2” ( roughly) sq. post and would likely be as cheap as a treated 8x8 or something custom. It would be plenty strong as well if you put it together right.

And they would be way less likely to warp or twist. Think they are called "Glu-Lam" or maybe that is a brand name.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

If you’re okay with the post being round, a piece of electric/telephone pole could work. Around here, you can sometimes get retired poles from the electric co-op for pretty cheap. You could use lag screw style J-bolts to hang your gate instead of the machine thread style that have to go all the way through the post.

A steel post of some sort would also be an option. Pipe, box tubing, or I-beam could all work.

 

[Brute 23]

I was thinking the same thing about the electrical pole even though I'm not a big fan of using them.

Not sure how far you are from water but the places that carry marine grade wood usually have the big stuff and it's way better quality than what is as most stores.

 

[lynnmcmahan]

If you could find Osage Orange and could put a broad ax to it. Your great great grandson might replace it around 2125.

 

[Hogfarmer10]

Thanks guys. Yes it is 100% compression load. It does hold up a loft but the loft doesn’t get used. It’s completely empty. It sets on a concrete foundation so that helps with it not rotting. I had thought I may be able to sister a 6x6 with a 4x6 on the back. Best way to do that- glue and 3/4” dia carriage bolts?