New fence. Dig hole and cement or use metal spike???

[TheOriginalTableLeg]

I plan to fit a new fence on my front garden. I don't yet have either a post hole digger or some gravel and post fix for digging.

Given the cost of these items still yet to be sourced I wondered if it would be easier/cheaper to use metal spikes for the posts instead?

I have never used the spikes before or know anybody who has that I could ask for their experience of using them, so I hope I might get some friendly advice on here.

I realise that the spikes would need to be hammered in and I do have a 14lb sledge hammer.

Any advice please?

 

[Burnerman]

Only my opinion, but metal spikes are fine if the earth is sound - but if they hit a bit of stone down there then nothing happens......
Digging a deepish hole, post in, support it with random stone then get in there with the concrete, well tamped down - I'm no fan of postcrete either.
Mind you, its windy where I live!
John

 

[TheOriginalTableLeg]

Thanks for the quick reply

Would I need to buy either an auger or one of the post digging tools I have seen? im guessing if I used a spade it would make too big a hole in diameter and then that would need more concrete to fill.

I dont know but I am guessing that buying some 25kg bags of cement would be cheaper than post fix of the same size? I do have a mixing paddle that I could use in a large bucket and mix the cement. Would it be that much cheaper doing it this way?

Any thoughts?

 

[TheOriginalTableLeg]

Having just looked at the prices 25kg of Rugby post fix is the same as a 25kg bag of normal cement.

It seems that post mix would be simpler/easier for me them.

 

[Burnerman]

Again, just personally I'd use a spit to dig a hole for the post, and use a concrete mix using portland cement with plenty of aggregate.
I dont like postcrete because it sets at unbelievable speed (5 minutes is all you get)....I prefer a wetter mix so that the concrete can be tamped down. Up to you, really!
John

 

[imamartian]

my personal opinion is that metal spikes are ok for fences upto 4ft, anything bigger and the wind will win. As for hit rocks, you can dig a hole and hit a big rock.. that's just pot luck. And the postcrete i have used (with respect), always took longer than 5 mins to go off.

What size and length of fence is it?

 

[TheOriginalTableLeg]

Fence is a 1m high picket fence, 2x separate sections - one at 10m the other at 7m.

 

[ollysfollys]

My opinion, always postfix, just as cheap as spikes if not cheaper, and more secure, stronger, dig down a few feet and slap it in then back fill.

As said above, you never know whats underneath for the spikes

Oh and if its only a low fence, under 3 foot, then i have in the past used one bag for 2 posts

good luck.

 

[TheOriginalTableLeg]

Thank you for the response

1 bag per post, that's good news too as it'll save a little bit of money and mean i'll probably be able to get all the bags I need into the boot of my car.

So I just need a post hole digger? or one of the hand turn auger things?

Any advice here please

 

[ollysfollys]

No need for a special post digger mate, just a good solid spade will do the job, infact i had a cheap garden spade that the handle snapped and welded a 4 foot length of steel tube to, better than any post tool i have ever used, good and heavy for digging down.
You mite do with a long jimmy incase you get a stubarn bit.

wayne

 

[TheOriginalTableLeg]

Many thanks again for the reply.