How big a post for a 12 foot gate?

[JerryK]

I just put in two 10' gates using 3" rigid conduit [ galvanized pipe ]. I am old enough to have replaced some of those last forever wood posts... plus, being a has been electrician... only seemed right.

 

[ustmd]

Got one **** of a project coming up soon. 3100 foot of fence! Few 12 ft. gates and some smaller. Was wondering what you guys think would be acceptable for corner post and can also handle those 12 ft gates. Was thinking about using 5 in posts every 3rd with T-post every 10 ft in between. Then not sure about the rest. Can ya help a brotha out? Not holding livestock in just dogs. The fencing is going to be Red Brand field fence. Thanks guys.

If I am reading this right, you are talking about putting a wood post every 30ft which is overkill. If you want to do the absolute minimum, get a get a good double H brace at the start and get a good stretch, you should be able to go the entire 330' of a roll without another wood post.

 

[GrumpyJoe]

I would love to do it that way. But I'm not going in a straight line. I will be following a tree line most of the way. And the land isn't very level. There are some areas where I might be able to that. But not many. Thanks any way.

 

[rutwad]

It seams that I once read you can place your wood post at 100' intervals and T-posts at 20' or 25'.

As for the gate, we have hung 8' tall 14' gates on 6x6" pressure treated post. But we do put a horizontal 4x6" and a 45 degree 4x6" over to another 6x6" post.

I would personally stay away from cross-ties. I've seen too many rot before too long.

 

[Old Junk Man]

Ideally I like to use the largest post I can for gates and corner post. I prefer to use a large living tree. I have lots of red cedar and commonly use a 10 diameter cedar. Ive got a WWII drill mounted on a trailer that's powered by a tractor PTO. it can drill a 18 ft deep hole if you don't hit rock. it has two bits a 14 inch and a 22 inch. Reciently I bought at auction a couple hundred brand new galvanized post like they put road signs on. if you drive them deep and add a angled brace they are pretty substantial. the T post are brittle and a bull can break them off. I use old car hood springs to hold tension on the high tensle barb wire when using trees for stretch post. That way when the wind blows the wire doesn't break. and when the weather gets very hot or very cold the barb stays tight. around the yard At my house I have chain link fence some 4 ft and some 6ft with the required hardware. It holds the deer goats,chickens & dogs Ok. It wont hold cattle. you have to run some electric wire along side it to hold cattle. Also you can greatly extend the life of wood post by sawing the tops of at a steep angle or better yet install a metal cap. old roofing metal or anything to keep the water from soaking in.