Sleeves for Concrete (Fencing)

[DIYalot]

Hi. I decided that I'd place my fence posts inside sleeves, then fill with concrete / Postcrete. If I buy 200mm diameter tubing, that is made of 3mm thick cardboard, I'd be paying about £12, each for my sleeves (not incl. postage). That's £60 for 5 posts + postage on top. I may be able to use 160mm dia (according to Copilot (AI)). OK, but what if I seek to "roll my own" i.e., make my own sleeves. Has anyone here done such a thing? Any ideas how I could make my own sleeves, (degradable like cardboard or long-lasting plastic). Possibly repurpose something/ Thanks.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You might find such tubes disposed of by printing firms etc, paper rolls are often delivered inside such cardboard tubes.

 

[jj4091]

If you can get some DPM sheet or thick polythene I would have thought you would be better just wrapping and stapling them than using card board. But as long as the postcrete comes above any soil level you shouldn't need to do anything. If it doesn't then they will just rot off above the post crete. Could you not use concrete posts

 

[Tricky-Dicky]

I get my paper tubes from Carpet shops, they are always pleased to have them removed off site.
They comes in various lengths and diameters.
Give them a try

 

[JohnD]

Do you mean wooden posts? What is the purpose of the tubes? Is it to make removal of the rotten wood easier?

 

[jj4091]

Sorry just reread your post and I think the tubes are to provide shuttering for the post crete is that correct.

 

[stevie888]

Use proper concrete, fill your hole back to the soil and just shape the top to fall away from the post if wood.

 

[DIYalot]

I'm wanting the fence holes to be circular from top to bottom and to do that I finally got myself some 200mm diameter flue tubing. I've cut the holes square, I'll place the sleeve in the hole and backfill around the sleeve. Then, I'll gently pull out the sleeve hoping that the circular hole remaining does not collapse. Then I'll place a fence post in that circular hole and fill with Postcrete.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Fence post concrete should be set in undisturbed earth to get a good bond/create a good foundation not up against loosely filled in backfill. I don't understand why you're doing this.

 

[stevie888]

I'm wanting the fence holes to be circular from top to bottom and to do that I finally got myself some 200mm diameter flue tubing. I've cut the holes square, I'll place the sleeve in the hole and backfill around the sleeve. Then, I'll gently pull out the sleeve hoping that the circular hole remaining does not collapse. Then I'll place a fence post in that circular hole and fill with Postcrete.

Sorry to be blunt, but that's plain daft!! A lot more work for a vastly inferior job.