Fence Posts - Sonotubes?

SecretSquirrel · 07-24-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronBerquist

On a side note, the "big box" store I'm ordering from indicated that each bag does 1 cubic foot. Suffice to say I ignored that info. Sigh...

I bet they screwed up their product description, confusing it with a 94lb bag of Portland cement as that has the contents of 1 cu ft.

AaronBerquist · 07-24-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

I bet they screwed up their product description, confusing it with a 94lb bag of Portland cement as that has the contents of 1 cu ft.

Thanks for all the help and guidance - you've got some "positive reputation points" from me!

Ron6519 · 07-24-2007, 04:16 PM

I see the point of using sonotubes for a fence that high. That size wall will be subjected to some serious wind load at times. I don't think the 10" sonotube will hold up. You will see cracks at the corners in no time due to the small amount of concrete surrounding the post. The 12" sonotube was questionable with the 6" post. Best case scenario would be a 4" post with the 12" tube or a 14-16" tube with the 6" post.
Predicating a sonotube size based on the limitation of a drill bit size is the wrong way to engineer the job.
Ron

AaronBerquist · 07-25-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron6519

I see the point of using sonotubes for a fence that high. That size wall will be subjected to some serious wind load at times. I don't think the 10" sonotube will hold up. You will see cracks at the corners in no time due to the small amount of concrete surrounding the post. The 12" sonotube was questionable with the 6" post. Best case scenario would be a 4" post with the 12" tube or a 14-16" tube with the 6" post.
Predicating a sonotube size based on the limitation of a drill bit size is the wrong way to engineer the job.
Ron

Ron - thanks for the advice... quick question though. If the hole is drilled with a 10" auger, how easy/difficult would it be to make that hole wide enough to accomodate a 12" sonotube?

Ron6519 · 07-25-2007, 12:03 PM

You realize you can rent these augers. If your friend digs out a 10" hole you can rent a power auger with a 12" bit for about $50.00 a day. You can enlarge and clean out alot of holes in 8 hours.
You may even be able to just rent the auger bit if the machines are compatible.
Ron

AaronBerquist · 07-25-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron6519

You realize you can rent these augers. If your friend digs out a 10" hole you can rent a power auger with a 12" bit for about $50.00 a day. You can enlarge and clean out alot of holes in 8 hours.
You may even be able to just rent the auger bit if the machines are compatible.
Ron

I thought about that after I posted the message. I'll call around and see if I can source a 12" auger for him to use on his machine.