Most alwyas its not a good idea to use cedar as fence posts, but if your set on it go ahead and set the posts in cret, use 6'' copper flat stock and wrap the area of the posts where the posts meet the creet. John

Hi John,

What kind of post material do you like?

Preasure Treated .40 J

For this project I need stable material (minimal warp, minimum twist). The fence will look

Although the $$s are more, I think I'll go all cedar.

Thanks for the ideas!

those are pt posts. J

Yes, you are correct, that is PI. I hadn't noticed. I was only looking at the design and proportions.

I have made garden structures before (trellises, pergolas) with tight joinery, {{!gwi}}.

The PI is just way too wild, twists, warps etc. I think the large growth rings make it erratic.

BTW, are you serious about wrapping the posts in copper? What does that accomplish?

My plan at this point is to put 2" of gravel in bottom of each post hole, drop in the post, then fill with crete.

I use pt posts then wrap them in cedar that way you get the strength and life from pt with none of the movement problems.Not to wrap the whole post in copper just the area where it meets the creet say 6'' copper flat stock half in the creet and half out installed with copper nails. This is a very old trick the more it leaches the more protection you get thus the reason for all the copper in acq treated lumber.J

Side Note>>> the gravel thing, forget it .40 pt is made for ground contact, cedar is going to go with or with out it probley at the contact point of the ground, but protected with the copper wrap it just might make it a while. J

I'm trying to visualize that, is this what you mean?

And where do you buy copper sheet/copper nails?

TIA

BTW, I see your website. Very nice stuff.

Thanks

Tom Fischer

Yup,thats how its done, the copper would be a little lower in the creet.Just look in the phone book a lot of sheet metal guys carry copper I use a outfit that makes standing seam copper roof. John

Hi John,

Sorry to keep dragging this thread on, but I want to get this right.

I went to one of the box stores, and the guy who knows about fences agreed about the copper flashing. They stock it, for that reason.

But he also suggested this design: not putting the cedar into the concrete at all, but use a nickel plated fastening system, "J-Bolt" plus connecting hardware to the cedar posts. Here's my drawing:

http://users.tellurian.net/tom/fence/J_Bolt_post.htm

Your comments are most valued.

Thanks In Advance

tf

Here are pics of the fence.

I hired a contractor to install the posts (we're talking a very big fence post drill), and a landscaper to finish grade it to level.

I have also added 5K volt deer fencing (not shown in the pics)

Thanks for all the help!