Very confused about metpost/stakes - question

Joined
18 Aug 2008
Messages
3,824
Reaction score
274
Location
London
Country
United Kingdom
Hi all,
I have some 50mm metposts I would like to put 50mm wood into and make a fence to act as a windbreak for my veg patch. The frustrating thing is that I can't seem to find 50mm finished wood. I don't mind if it's bare pine or whatever, I'll paint it, but I can only find 50mm wood which is actually 44mm finished, meaning I have to make a wedge for each post/stake to make it sturdy. Is there something obvious I'm missing here?
Thanks
 
Sponsored Links
Fair enough. I guess the 3mm allows for expansion of the wood in wet weather. I just hope that what I'm looking for is actually suitable for the application.. if that makes sense
 
what type of metpost - some have a bolt at the top to pull the square into the post , others just use a flange inside which holds the post - I prefer the bolts version when i use them , only used with 3x3" 75mm and 4x4" 100mm posts thought not 2" 50mm

wrong size - but this idea on bolts
https://www.toolstation.com/drive-i...cUvlSNkgVq8yVFRcCPRQom9qFLynr-X4aAreaEALw_wcB

and flanges - this is what I meant, again wrong size just an idea
https://www.toolstation.com/easygrip-post-spike/p56458

I have also used slithers of wood to pack out and the posts are still up
 
Sponsored Links
The bolt ones are ideal but I didn't get those ones. I picked up a load of them cheap and just felt the price was right. I realise it's not ideal. Thanks for your recommendation on the wood. I hope there isn't the opposite problem and the 50mm finished size is too big to fit into the metpost haha
 
https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/tre...YJ9AqaWUFvULMAiCjDQaAhQMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

the sawn is normally not finished/planned and actual size , usually planned is then a finished size
worth a call
also a measure the inside size of the metpost

As you are showing London, there will be a few timber yards, probably the chains like travisperkins as linked champions maybe -
I saw a good timber yard in west london by Peter Millard on youtube on friday - not sure if that is near to you or if they stock fencing posts
I use alsford timber a lot https://www.alsfordtimber.com/
 
Last edited:
I bought rough sawn, marked the end that was going in the post and then planed/sanded the top section. My size was 150 x 150 x 2000
It had the corner bolts which bit into the rough end and then I drill all 4 sides and secured with coach bolts.
If you are using 50 x 50 you could, as suggested, use packers to equalise it centrally and then bolt it in position from all four sides. It's a good idea to stagger the bolt heights slightly so opposite ones don't hit each other.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top