Metal Post Driver

[Ramblin Wreck]

Tractor Supply sells a metal post driver that is spring loaded such that it provides some of the force for the uplift of the driver from the spring's recoil. Have any of you had experience using one of these type drivers? In principal, it seems like it should help reduce the strain/effort required to build a fence, but it would be good to hear of some real life experiences using one of this type.

[unioncreek]

I don't like them as they absorb some of the shock when driving the post, so it takes more power to work. I just take a piece of 2 1/2 inch pipe and weld a piece of shaft in and a couple of handles on it for my post drivers.

Bobg

[Oxankle]

Union Creek is right. Any force that remains to bounce the driver back upward has not been absorbed by the post.

I'm using one made for me by a friend 30 years ago. A piece of 2 & 7/8 inch pipe with a cap welded on and two sucker rod ends for handles. Another friend saw it when new and poured about 5 pounds of molten lead inside. A booger to lift but a pile driving son of a gun.
Ox

[Ken Scharabok]

I use one I bought from a Farmers' Co-op years ago. However, a friend made me a slug of metal about 6" long which slipped down inside. To secure it I drilled in several holes in the side and then plug welded it in place. Once you get the rythum (sp?) down it is easy to use and works well.

[Ramblin Wreck]

Thanks to all for your advice.

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

Had one come off the top of a short post. Like a fool I reached towards the end and when it came back down it almost cut off the end of my left pointer finger.