I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
every couple of times? Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?

-- 
Terry, West Sussex, UK

In article ,
	Terry Pinnell  writes:

> I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
> 4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
> patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
> clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
> of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
> every couple of times?


That's what I do.

I use the clamp ones, and you can hammer small wedges in the sides
to make the post straight even if the post socket isn't.


> Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?


I would think that would destroy the integrity of the post support,
as you are unlikely to recompact as well as it was before.

-- 
Andrew Gabriel

In article , "Terry 
Pinnell" terrypinDELETE@THESEdial.pipex.com says...
<snip>

> Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?
> 

If you're going to do that you might as well set the post in 
concrete.

"Terry Pinnell"  wrote in message 
news:ka6191htk5h6pb1g23t6ajbfqfpis7ei4n@4ax.com...

> I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
> 4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
> patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
> clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
> of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
> every couple of times? Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?
>
> -- 
> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>

There are a couple of extras which can make the job easy to. You could 
borrow or buy a Metpost drift. This is a solid metal drift that fits where 
the post will eventually go. Drive the metpost into the ground, checking for 
squareness as you go, till the bracket part is just above ground level. Now 
fit the post and secure then drive it further till the mounting bracket is 
just below ground level. The top end of the post should be protected with an 
end cap or better use a proper post driver which can be hired. Verticals 
should be checked frequently every few blows to the post.
Measure the installed posts and cut the tops off to bring them level with 
each other.

Richard.

Terry wrote;

> I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
> clever technique or tip to achieve this please?


I've had trouble with them in the past.  The odd one or two seem to hit 
something hard and start to go in off square/level - bloody difficult to 
straighten them up again once they start to twist or lean.

You can then end up with two problems - the socket not being level, which 
you can cope with if it's not too much by using wedges.  If the socket 
twists off square its a real nuisance.

I much prefer the postfix type concrete.

Dave

"Terry Pinnell"  wrote in message
news:ka6191htk5h6pb1g23t6ajbfqfpis7ei4n@4ax.com...

> I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
> 4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
> patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
> clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
> of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
> every couple of times? Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?
>
> --
> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>

==================
I use a heavy metal bar driven in with a sledge hammer to create a 'pilot'
hole. I  'wiggle' the bar about to enlarge the hole and then drive the
metapost in carefully checking for level and twist. The bar I use is about
3' long and 1.25" diameter - it's very heavy. You might be able to hire one.

Cic.

"Terry Pinnell"  wrote in message 
news:ka6191htk5h6pb1g23t6ajbfqfpis7ei4n@4ax.com...

> I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
> 4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
> patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
> clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
> of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
> every couple of times? Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?
>
> -- 
> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>


You can put an old post in first then hammer the post rather than the metal 
for the first alignment.  A lot easier to keep vert.

rusty

"Terry Pinnell"  wrote in message 
news:ka6191htk5h6pb1g23t6ajbfqfpis7ei4n@4ax.com...

> I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
> 4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
> patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
> clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
> of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
> every couple of times? Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?
>
> -- 
> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>


In addition to all the advice given remember that it is at least a two 
person job. A post driver, a thingy like a drainpipe with handles on each 
side, is much easier to use than a sledge hammer whilst up a stepladder. 
Twist can be removed by clamping another post horizontally to the vertical 
post and using it as a lever to bring it square whilst it is being driven. 
Another tool to have on hand is a pickaxe. this, with it's point in a recess 
on the bracket and a suitable fulcrum on the ground can be used to withdraw 
a metpost if it has all gone wrong.

It all really depends on the ground conditions as to whether post brackets 
are the best solution. Try just one or two first to see if they are suitable 
for your circumstances.

Richard.

"Richard"  wrote:


>
>"Terry Pinnell"  wrote in message 
>news:ka6191htk5h6pb1g23t6ajbfqfpis7ei4n@4ax.com...
>> I'm pretty well decided on using those 'Metpost' things to secure the
>> 4"x4" corner uprights of a pergola in the flower border around my
>> patio. I've never used these before and I'm wondering how
>> easy/difficult it will be to get them in *straight*? Is there some
>> clever technique or tip to achieve this please? Or is it just a matter
>> of trial and error - clobbering it with a large hammer and checking
>> every couple of times? Should I first dig out (and then recompact) the
>> area first to discover any obstacles, roots, etc?
>>
>> -- 
>> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>>
>
>In addition to all the advice given remember that it is at least a two 
>person job. A post driver, a thingy like a drainpipe with handles on each 
>side, is much easier to use than a sledge hammer whilst up a stepladder. 
>Twist can be removed by clamping another post horizontally to the vertical 
>post and using it as a lever to bring it square whilst it is being driven. 
>Another tool to have on hand is a pickaxe. this, with it's point in a recess 
>on the bracket and a suitable fulcrum on the ground can be used to withdraw 
>a metpost if it has all gone wrong.
>
>It all really depends on the ground conditions as to whether post brackets 
>are the best solution. Try just one or two first to see if they are suitable 
>for your circumstances.
>
>Richard. 
>

Thanks a lot for all that helpful advice.

-- 
Terry, West Sussex, UK