4"x4" posts using 3 foot steel spikes

[Mike52]

Question: Is it adviseable to set my 4"x4" posts using 3 foot steel spikes driven into the ground that the posts are bolted or screwed into?

[geneaut]

I wouldn't hang on a 4X4 post

[Braden]

That will certainly keep the posts anchored down, but 4 x 4's will twist or banana bow on you. Modern rapid growth timber just seems to warp. Old timbers probably still do fine. I've got about 4 to 5" Osage Orange (hedge apple) posts that were 50 years old before I bought this place, been hanging on them for 20 years. Built a fence from some of that same leftover hedge apple that was so damned hard that I had to drill pilot holes in order to drive 16p nails into them. 4 x 6 timbers seems to be the consensus on minimum size of lumber posts for hanging these days, from what I've gathered.

[TrailSlug]

I wouldn't hang on a 4X4 post

Same here. 4X6 at a minimum and 6x6's are the best.

[Danimal9]

This is my napping setup. 4x4 posts in the ground 42 inches. 2-2x6s connecting the top of each post for support. Hasn't budge a millimeter in 3 years.

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[Braden]

Yeah, Danimal has it going on, that header is making all the difference w/ 4x4's. I guess the uprights could move some in the horizontal plane, not likely tho, and certainly not inward. Well done.

[Need2noCallahan]

There is a video that was posted a year or two ago where a man post holed two holes 3-4’ deep. Put in pvc pipe and put in some gravel. He could then remove the post when not in use and put caps in.


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[TrailSlug]

Yes, if you add the top cross members then that changes the force dynamics and 4x4's can be used. I'd still go for 4x6's at a minimum if it were me.

[Tikker]

[oldgringo]

This is my napping setup. 4x4 posts in the ground 42 inches. 2-2x6s connecting the top of each post for support. Hasn't budge a millimeter in 3 years.

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Nice. You *get it*.