children who eat timber play equipment probably need removing from the genepool anyway
Long lasting softwood fence posts
- Thread starter Brisel
- Start date
Ok that’s interesting thanks. Iv always assumed and been led to believe that tantalising and creosote were as much use as urine when it comes to timber treatment. I’ll need to have a look into it
renewablejohn
Member
- Location
- lancs
Any Kiwis on here tried these posts and how good are they.
https://www.futurepost.co.nz/
Looking at making some in UK as I am fed up of softwood not lasting.
https://www.futurepost.co.nz/
Looking at making some in UK as I am fed up of softwood not lasting.
No such thing as long lasting softwood fence posts in my book . Oak or Chestnut is about as good as it gets . If you don't need it to look twee might as well just point up freshly cut fire cord wood up to 6-8 " dia cut from your own woods. With the modern post bangers they go in ok . Might look a bit overkill but most likely last just as long as 3 - 4 inch posts you can buy .
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
Exactly what we did with some leylandii. They lasted surprisingly well but they probably worked out expensive cutting by hand.
We have tried all sorts as bought in posts barely make to 10 years before they need to be replaced . It doesn't take too long to point them on a bench or even with a chainsaw . It is something to do on a wet day.
Rule of thumb with wood is the faster it grows the quicker it rots .
Rule of thumb with wood is the faster it grows the quicker it rots .
I've been thinking of doing this with a load of overgrown hedges we have. How long do you think they would last? There's some hazel, birch, alder,holly and willow mostly but there might be some oak and ash too. And some pine and lelandi that need a chop I could use. Some would be big enough for strainers and gates but I don't want to use them and they rot off and ruin the fence in a few years.
Goweresque
Member
- Location
- North Wilts
Not that pricey IMO - Creosoted half rounds are over £4 from my local timber supplier now, and the last lot of 60mm x 5'10" plastic posts I had were under £4 each delivered. Now I'll accept that a 60mm plastic post is not the equal of a half round timber post in terms of rigidity, so they aren't an exact swap, but if you are fencing half decent hedges the 60mm plastic is more than enough, with the backing of the hedge behind.
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
I think I’d still buy creosote treated first, especially if fencing livestock. Mine were used to support a raspberry patch (a 2 acre patch!) which have a limited lifetime anyway. The posts generally lasted longer than the raspberries though.
Ash and birch won’t last 5 minutes nor will willow unless it grows when you stick it in, I think hazel rots quick outdoors too. Oak is your best, preferably cleft rather than sawn.
just brought a barrel of creosote its not that dear
How yer diddling.
I recommend introducing woodworm to the posts first, the resulting holes absorb creosote better. Thank me latter.
I recommend introducing woodworm to the posts first, the resulting holes absorb creosote better. Thank me latter.
i'm not buying any more of your worms half of them died and the other half have buggered off are they homing wormsHow yer diddling.
I recommend introducing woodworm to the posts first, the resulting holes absorb creosote better. Thank me latter.
renewablejohn
Member
- Location
- lancs
Thats interesting. Converting to metric yours are 60mm x 1.8m whereas the NZ ones are 100 x 1.8 and 125 x 1.8. Could you still use a post knocker on the 60mm as I was going to manufacture 100mm as standard.
renewablejohn
Member
- Location
- lancs
How much would people pay for posts made out recycled plastic and which would be the optimum post size. ie 60mm 100mm or 125mm. Maybe assuming fence post price is 5p per mm diameter.
willow or withy cut them and drive them the same day and they may well last a long time
make sure you point the bottom end though if you don't trim them then given time they will grow more stakes
how well do they bang in with a post knocker on our type of ground shale and rocky do they not splinter/shatter ?
Goweresque
Member
- Location
- North Wilts
I don't think you could use a post knocker on the 60mm, no, there's too much flex in them. We use a rammer with a rock spike, make a pilot hole first, then the plastic post slides in perfectly.
Goweresque
Member
- Location
- North Wilts
Its horses for courses I think, smaller diameter is fine in protected locations, 60mm against hedges for example, whereas a stand alone fence would need 75-80mm diameter posts to have enough rigidity.
When you say 5p/mm diameter, what length are you getting at that price?
renewablejohn
Member
- Location
- lancs
The same 1.8 mtr as your 60mm post but in 100 or 125. Just going off whats advertised on that NZ website.