Long Legs for Windmill

[Trester]

Getting ready to start building a decorative windmill within the next month. I am planning a wooden tower that is approx 24' tall. I contacted a couple of lumber yards and they both told me that pressure treated (4" x 4")'s are not available in this length. Other than laminating (2" x 4")'s, what are other options?

 

[texasjohn]

get a real metal windmill tower.

be sure and sink foundation legs properly....lots of torque in a wind, things will blow over if you don't anchor it way better than you think is necessary.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Well the real windmill towers I've taken down had legs of 3x3" angle iron in ten foot lengths spliced together with about eight 1/4 inch bolts per joint. Cross bracing of 3/4x3/4" angle iron.

 

[PILOON]

A discarded TV antenna tower would be an option.
As to 20' lumber I always have been able to obtain 2 X 4,6,8,10's from my yard (at higher cost/ft)
I have 2 mills locally that would custom make 24' 4X4's but then delivery is a whole new problem.

All told when you consider cost and handling shipping etc I think your best bet is custom splicing bracing etc.

OR lower your goals and go for16 ft as every yard has that in stock.

 

[forgeblast]

Use the 4x4 elevators, they are used to build tree stands etc home depot carries them now. They use a 4x4 for the legs and then you add your cross bracing, it has places for eye hooks(for wires to anchor it) etc...