Fence post ques.

[bird dog]

I am building some fence using cedar post (ash juniper I believe is the real name) and some of my posts are almost as big as my 12" auger. If I can drill a straight hole and get the post in it, I won't have much room to tamp it. I hate manual labor so I am trying to avoid enlarging the hole by hand, so what are my options? I am in black soil in Central Tx

Thanks
Bird dog

 

[herefordlover]

pour cement around it

 

[Caustic Burno]

I'm so confused or stupid I didn't know you could build fence without manual labor.

 

[tom4018]

I'm so confused or stupid I didn't know you could build fence without manual labor.

Me either, if there is a way please let me know, got a 1/2 mile to put up.

 

[dun]

Just pack itg as hard and tight as you can without enlarging the hole

 

[novatech]

Most of the black dirt in Central Texas is expansive. Meaning it shrinks and swells with the weather. Use dry sand blasting sand or play sand to fill around the post. As the ground expands and contracts the sand continues to fall down to the bottom keeping the post tight.
If these are line posts it really is not all that important. If they are corner posts you may have to refill with sand when the ground dries and shrinks. If you use concrete in this type of soil it will initially act as a filler enabling you to tighten the fence. When the ground dries and shrinks the dirt shrinks back and you may end up with a loose fence. Depth and quantity are important. Depth as the soil maintains stability deeper in the ground and quantity as the concrete acts as ballast keeping the fence tight. The concrete forms a bucket around the post and will cause it to rot. The sand is cheaper and dries out faster.

 

[M.Magis]

With posts that large, I split them a sledge and mull.

 

[thendrix]

I'm so confused or stupid I didn't know you could build fence without manual labor.

Only way I know of is hire somebody to do it.

Bird dog; If you hate manual labor you may be in the wrong business :2cents:

 

[Brute 23]

I am building some fence using cedar post (ash juniper I believe is the real name) and some of my posts are almost as big as my 12" auger. If I can drill a straight hole and get the post in it, I won't have much room to tamp it. I hate manual labor so I am trying to avoid enlarging the hole by hand, so what are my options? I am in black soil in Central Tx

Thanks
Bird dog

Either get a smaller post or bigger auger. Do not use cement or sand. Do it right or don't do it at all. ;-)

 

[bird dog]

I guess I should have said "extra manual labor" so you old farts wouldn't have to make your smart mouth comments. I know its a lot of work, just looking for some ideas. Thanks to all who gave suggestions. I know the concrete doesn't work very well. I have used pea gravel before with some success but I will try the sand method.

 

[Brute 23]

Im 25 and your gonna learn the hard way about that sand just as I did. :tiphat:

 

[thendrix]

I guess I should have said "extra manual labor" so you old farts wouldn't have to make your smart mouth comments.

When did turning 30 make me an "old fart"?

Again I say, if you don't like manual labor (especially EXTRA manual labor) maybe you're in the wrong business.

 

[thendrix]

BTW, the only way to keep from getting smart ass comments on internet message boards is not posting in the first place.

 

[shaz]

If your using cedar you should be trimming off the white sap wood anyway. That should help with your hole size problem too.
FYI: Cedar posts tend to be brittle. Not sure I would use them in an area where they may get pushed on.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

sounds like a better soil for driving them in

 

[LRTX1]

So, whats to learn about the sand? Here, in North Florida, muck ground, I have used fine sand, the kind you find under sheds that havent been wet in years, for a long time. I haven't had any problems. I have poured the sand in, shook the post, and pulled my wire right after.

 

[Anonymous]

I set posts in that fine sand all the time. It still needs to be tamped. But if the post is set deep enough you can pull wire just fine. Especially using h braces

 

[novatech]

bird dog said he was in black land not fine sand. I said sandblasting sand or play sand not fine sand. Sandblasting sand and play sand does not bond together like fine sand. There is nothing wrong with setting posts in fine sand, you can pack it like a rock.

Trimming the white off a line post? Why? As it rots the dirt takes it's place. When this black dirt shrinks you can end up with an inch gap around it. When it is wet the cows can push it and make it lean regardless of how tight you pack it.

Now after this you probably think you would never want a place with black dirt. It has it's problems but the reason it is black is because of humus. There is no finer soil for growing grass or just about anything else for that matter.

 

[bigbull338]

when your digging postholes an setting posts.you have to tamp the dirt in them nice an tight.theres no way around it.

 

[shaz]

bird dog said he was in black land not fine sand. I said sandblasting sand or play sand not fine sand. Sandblasting sand and play sand does not bond together like fine sand. There is nothing wrong with setting posts in fine sand, you can pack it like a rock.

Trimming the white off a line post? Why? As it rots the dirt takes it's place. When this black dirt shrinks you can end up with an inch gap around it. When it is wet the cows can push it and make it lean regardless of how tight you pack it.Now after this you probably think you would never want a place with black dirt. It has it's problems but the reason it is black is because of humus. There is no finer soil for growing grass or just about anything else for that matter.

I concrete all posts. I only use cedar for line posts not braces.
I typically cut a seven foot post and only put it 2ft in the ground because I'm digging into limestone. In that application there is no dirt to tamp.