Attaching wodden rails to concrete fence post

[Andyc84]

Hello,

I intend to use a halving joint on a 2x4 rail and bolt this to the concrete fence post by drilling a hole for a bolt to go through the lot. I intend to use large washers to spread the load on the wood side. I have assumed an M12 bolt as the diameter for the holes in the post are 15mm.

This is the post I intend to use (universal on the left, not the repair spur)

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• Andyc84
• 21 Mar 2014
• 1

This is the detail i intend to use

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• Andyc84
• 21 Mar 2014
• 1

Any one got any ideas of how to strengthen this joint?

Screw the joint together using a few 1.5 inch wood screws? glue?

Should I go back to the drawing board...?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Burnerman]

That will do well enough, Andy.....a nice big washer or other stainless plate.
You could plant another piece on the back of the rail - fish plate style - but it wouldn't be as tidy!
John

 

[JohnD]

the rails can be at alternate heights

 

[r896neo]

as john says put the rails at alternate heights.

You need to think this through when setting your posts though as you want the first 3 posts at one height so that a rail spans them and the the next 3 posts 4 inches higher or lower for the next rail etc etc.

 

[Andyc84]

Thanks for the advice

I'd happily set the rails at alternating heights, but then I would end up with the rails changing height along the length, and as I am going to end up with the rails on my side, I wanted the rails to be a consistent height.

I'll be having the rails on my side as then the face of fence will be 2 inches off the post, and therefore sit along the middle of the wall, although depending on the construction, I may well end up cahaning my mind and fencing my side of the rails so i get the nicer looking side

One of the other reasons to fence the neighbours side and not mine, is they had a habit of putting hanging baskets on the previous fence and I cant help but think that this ruined the previous fence by setting an uneven weight ont he posts... hence concrete going forward

 

[r896neo]

If you stagger your rails up and down it doesn't look bad as long as its neat and consitent.

I'll pop a photo up of one i did last week

 

[Andyc84]

Thanks r896neo,

My posts wont arrive for another few weeks, so I look forward to a photo, may save me a fair bit of effort fitting the halving joints!

 

[r896neo]

sorry for the wait

 

[Andyc84]

From the look of that, one rail is bolted and the other is attached to the bolted rail...

what attachement have you used, couple of screws across the foot? length.

Thanks again and sorry for the slow reply, been busy digging holes and concreting in the posts...

 

[Andyc84]

Quick pic of work so far.

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• Andyc84
• 22 Apr 2014
• 1