[LarryJ-nova]

(There should be a separate Forum for Fences, or at least a sub-forum under Landscape.).

Thinking of using existing chain-link fence posts for upgraded wooden fence, similar to what was done in this video, at 3:15.

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The difference is, my existing steel posts are 3' and I want to put up a 6' fence. They are old. I don't know how old or how much concrete exists below ground, but they feel solid. Spaced about 10' apart. I'm planning similar pickets, but will add a space between them. I'm not seeing any real issues with using existing steel posts. Thoughts.

 

[mako1]

I think it's a bad idea.You will spend more money and time doing it the way the video shows than t buying and and setting 4x4 posts in concrete.It will not last as long and I dont think you have considered wind loads.

 

[Bondo]

The difference is, my existing steel posts are 3' and I want to put up a 6' fence. They are old. I don't know how old or how much concrete exists below ground, but they feel solid.

Ayuh,.... It might work, or the wind might blow it over, time will tell,.....

I'd be usin' a pile of big deck screws to build those post sleeve posts with though, not nails,....

 

[LarryJ-nova]

I think it's a bad idea.You will spend more money and time doing it the way the video shows than t buying and and setting 4x4 posts in concrete.It will not last as long and I dont think you have considered wind loads.

I'll spend a little more money, but save lots of time not having to pull posts and setting new ones. IYO, how deep should posts be set if spaced on 10' centers.

Ayuh,.... It might work, or the wind might blow it over, time will tell,.....

I'd be usin' a pile of big deck screws to build those post sleeve posts with though, not nails,....

I dropped a line down two of the posts and determined that there's a minimum of 12-18" of concrete at the posts. I might just expose a few to see how deep the concrete extends. What's your recommendation for adequate concrete base for use of existing posts.

 

[Bondo]

What's your recommendation for adequate concrete base for use of existing posts.

Ayuh,..... The ground yer workin' in is no doubt different than the ground here,.....

I've got a 300' wooden fence hung on 4x4s that are set 4' into the clay, no concrete at all,.....

 

[Phases]

When I build privacy/shadowbox fences (have done a few.. but I don't do it for living or anything. I would say probably probably 1k ft worth) I put the posts 24 inches deep with a 50 pound bag of concrete for 10 feet apart, 6 ft high fence.

Maybe it's overkill but that's what I learned after lots of research and was taught by a family friend when I built the first, it was real successful so that's what I followed with the others.

Soil condition, I would say, matters.

I don't think for chain link posts I've ever seen one (well, the scraps of one I don't have xray vision into the ground) with enough concrete to make me comfortable supporting a 6 ft privacy / shadowbox in high winds by any stretch, though.

It's a neat idea but I wouldn't be comfortable with it myself.

 

[choti]

A different concept , let us see how it will look after its completion . oh i think you should take the risk.

 

[LarryJ-nova]

A different concept , let us see how it will look after its completion . oh i think you should take the risk.

It will look just like the one in the video, see minute 6:45, but I would space the pickets about 1/2" rather than trying to butt them end-to-end.

yeah, I'm gonna explore sub grade conditions more before I decide.

 

[rander101]

I see two problems with your proposed plan. First: the post covers for a 5 or 6 foot fence are pretty heavy and slid over those 1 1/2" 3 foot posts aren't very robust. In a heavy wind that solid board fence is a big sail that is going to bend those little metal post even if it doesn't roll them out of the ground. Second: The method of setting the bottom end of the fence boards in that slotted arrangement. When it rains water will be trapped in the slot keeping the ends of the fence boards continually wet and they will rot out fairly quickly.