Steel Pipe Fence Corners

[luckysranch]

We are putting up a new fence and would like to set the corners so the fence will stay tight and upright for a good number of years. We have used wood corners before, but now we would like to try a steel pipe corner with braces. I have been calling around for some help with this since we don't have a welder or a post driver. Some people who install fence use concrete, some don't and some won't even weld the braces. Does anyone have any advice on setting this type of fence corner?

[uncle Will in In.]

We have clay soil, and a 3x3x3 concrete base for a 4 inch or larger steel pipe makes a bull stought coner post without any braces. Railroad rails were used on many farms around here. Don't get much better than that.

[Up North]

Purchase or have welding/metal shop construct complete corner assembly with 3 posts and the H-Braces already welded in place. Dig 3 holes, plunk assembly in, and then tamp or pour concrete as you deem necessary.

[haypoint]

In areas that the ground freezes fairly deep, improperly poured concrete will help the soil push the posts out. If you pour concrete around the post and the top of the concrete flares out like a mushroom or an upside down tree trunk, the freeze/thaw cycle can get under the concrete and push the post out of the ground. A chunk of sheet metal formed into a cylinder and set down into the hole a bit makes a nice concrete form.