fence post spikes

Jenn · #1 04/07/07, 09:17 AM

See on internet (what a frustrating but helpful building tool) sledgehammer in metal spikes with a socket on top that will hold my 4x4 fence posts and recommendations for them. Can not find anyone on internet or in phone book who sells them!

Any advice or sources?

fantasymaker · #2 04/07/07, 09:24 AM

got a link?

Beeman · #3 04/07/07, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn

See on internet (what a frustrating but helpful building tool) sledgehammer in metal spikes with a socket on top that will hold my 4x4 fence posts and recommendations for them. Can not find anyone on internet or in phone book who sells them!

Any advice or sources?

I'm a little confused about what you are trying to accomplish. Are you wanting to drive something in the ground to use a wire to pull your post to? Or are you wanting to drive something in the ground to set the post on? I have seen spikes that drive in the ground that a post would set on, but they are used for mailboxes and such. I don't think this would work well for a fence.

Windy in Kansas · #4 04/07/07, 09:34 AM

Doesn't Home Depot carry the items you seek?

I recall seeing some drive in post supports.

Jenn · #5 04/07/07, 10:01 AM

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/setfencepost

Jenn · #6 04/07/07, 10:04 AM

I'm wanting to drive something in the ground to set the post in. DH got some smaller ones (in England) he used for his (large medieval) tent posts.

I'll try HD thanks- and look at the mailbox sections of my local stores.

jacksun65 · #7 04/07/07, 10:07 AM

it would be cheeper and easier to find someone with a post driver.

fordy · #8 04/07/07, 01:22 PM

[QUOTE=Jenn]I'm wanting to drive something in the ground to set the post in. DH got some smaller ones (in England) he used for his (large medieval) tent posts.

I'll try HD thanks- and look at the mailbox sections of my local stores.

http://www.rohrermfg.com/

..............try one of these , I used one for several years ! Only takes a small aircompressor with low volume , 1.5cfm , and 90 to 100 psi . I drove alot of tposts with mine into some very hard clay building fence . Worth every penny . , fordy...

Jenn · #9 04/07/07, 02:38 PM

Found mailbox post spikes at Lowe's for $15 (beats bag cement, extra 3 ft of post, decreased life span of fence posts, and my time and trouble digging and setting cement vs my DH's pounding in stake)- thanks everyone!

Beeman · #10 04/07/07, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn

Found mailbox post spikes at Lowe's for $15 (beats bag cement, extra 3 ft of post, decreased life span of fence posts, and my time and trouble digging and setting cement vs my DH's pounding in stake)- thanks everyone!

What are you fencing for or with? Are you fencing for animal containment or privacy? Either way I don't think installing a post like that will stand any side pressure from wind or animals.

agmantoo · #11 04/07/07, 03:28 PM

I have installed a lot of fence posts and this concept is, IMHO, something that sounds better than it will perform. I would move cautiously ahead if I were to consider using them. Remember, the weakest link in the chain is where the failure will occur and these spikes are truly weak links in a fence. You ever notice that most things that are worthwhile have more work associated?

farmergirl · #12 04/07/07, 04:23 PM

I agree with Agmantoo. Farm work is hard for a reason. It would be difficult to overbuild a fence to contain livestock, keep out predators, withstand falling tree limbs, etc.. I'm often of the mind that if it's not hard, it's probably not worth doing. I have pulled and replaced too many flimsy fencelines for my taste, and I don't want to set myself up for the same thing in the nearish future.

The Paw · #13 04/07/07, 05:39 PM

I have used post spike before and they are okay for certain applications. If you are doing a fence with 2 or 3 rails of 2x4, they will be fine.

If you are doing a more solid type of fence, it should generally be less than 4 ft. tall, as they can wobble in the bracket over time. In a high wind area, a long stretch of fence would wiggle loose eventually, and you would have to go back and tighten the bolts periodically.

I wouldn't use them for a fence containing animals.

Jenn · #14 04/08/07, 12:10 AM

This is for 40-50 ft on top of a 4 ft retaining wall. Want to put in a cute 3-4' picket fence that matches the porch this will connect to (instead of the chain link at its other end). The dog currently obeys the chain link fence, runs along the corner top of the wall to get around the gate, and hasn't to our knowledge jumped off of the wall nor up onto it from below. Think she will not be pushing against the fence (she can hop the gates on the porch more easily and safely). Do not plan for other livestock to be here at this area- have some plantings not meant for browsing except by humans nearby.

However still have DD6; no younger ones expected, who might lean against it unsafely.... Would have posts behind 15" wide (cement block) wall, pickets on back edge of that wall.

Will have DH read your concerns, maybe put in one trial post and lean on it a bit before I put in any others. And maybe one panel (2 posts) ahead of the other 4 panels and 7 posts.

Thanks for all the feedback!

mightybooboo · #15 04/08/07, 01:05 AM

[QUOTE=fordy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn

I'm wanting to drive something in the ground to set the post in. DH got some smaller ones (in England) he used for his (large medieval) tent posts.

I'll try HD thanks- and look at the mailbox sections of my local stores.

http://www.rohrermfg.com/

..............try one of these , I used one for several years ! Only takes a small aircompressor with low volume , 1.5cfm , and 90 to 100 psi . I drove alot of tposts with mine into some very hard clay building fence . Worth every penny . , fordy...

Nice tool

ellebeaux · #16 04/08/07, 01:35 AM

Jenn, I vote you HT Queen of fencing!

Junkmanme · #17 04/08/07, 05:09 AM

FENCE POST SPIKES are very expensive !

http://www.academyfence.com/ozpost/types/

You can build a LOT OF FENCE for what these things cost!

The Paw · #18 04/08/07, 10:07 AM

Jenn:

based on your description, I think you will be very happy using post spikes. As Junkmanme points out, they are more expensive, but if you only need 7 or so, that is not a big concern and they save you a ton of time.

When I said they might wobble loose a little, I think having a six year old lean on the fence occasionally will not really affect it. You probably don't want kids climbing on it though (although you probably don't want kids climbing a four foot fence overlooking another 4 foot drop anyway).

Good luck.