Speaking of telephone poles

[ctpres]

Can get 20-30 poles for free and have questions.

1. Can't move them full size so will need to cut into shorter managable length with chain saw. Will chain saw stand up to tar in poles?
2. Anyone with experiance using old poles for fence posts? Seems to me free posts are only a good deal if they will last.
3. Any other ideas on how to use them?

 

[dooleysm]

I've seen them used often as fence posts. They make great corner posts as far as I can tell. Where I've seen them used, they always have some scrap metal nailed over the top. I assume this is to protect from moisture intrusion.

If I could get a few delivered to my place I'd be happy as a clam. Or as happy as a clam can be with some telephone poles.

 

[mikim]

Just had a neighbor use 'em for new fence - He bought his but it worked out to be about $4 per 8' post. They sure are big around though. My lil' 9" auger wouldn't come close. If you need help disposing of a few - let me know - Needville is right on my way from Angleton to Bastrop. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[beenthere]

Chainsaw should cut them fine, as long as you avoid hitting any hardware that is (or might be) in them.

If they are too big, then they can be split (like the rail splitters used to do).

Their longevity may be dependent upon the species and what, if any, preservative treatment has been applied. By 'tar' you might be thinking 'creosote' ? Wear gloves to handle the wood, as sometimes the creosote will give a burning sensation.

 

[geneP]

How long do you expect them to last? I worked for an electric utility before I retired, and had access to the poles. I fenced my place with them about 30 years ago. None of them are any good now. The ones I split lasted only a few years, and the ones I used for corner posts and line brace posts rotted from the center out. They have been useless for a long time now. They weren't covered on the tops. If you can use the "butt cuts" ( the portion of the pole that was in the ground and not subjected to air), they'll last a long time.

I built a pole barn with longer cuts about the same time and most of those poles are rotted at the ground. Thirty years might sound like a good life from them, but when you are faced with tearing it all out and rebuilding it doesn't sound like too good a deal. Now I wish I had spent the money for a steel building.

 

[RHughes]

We've used them a lot for corner posts and in long straight stretches for in-line pull posts.
I've generally found that a chainsaw cuts them fine but if you have many cuts to make you'll have to touch up the chain with a file; maybe more than once.

 

[dooleysm]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that my father-in-law told me that treated lumber is hard on chainsaw chains. They use chain saws to cut pole barn poled to length before they put the roof on. I assume telephone poles would be equally hard on chains for similar reasons.

 

[turnkey4099]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I forgot to mention in my earlier post that my father-in-law told me that treated lumber is hard on chainsaw chains. They use chain saws to cut pole barn poled to length before they put the roof on. I assume telephone poles would be equally hard on chains for similar reasons. )</font>

I really haven't paid much attention recently but it used to be they were only heavily treated at the bottoms. I have cut a lot of RR ties using chainsaws and the damage is caused more by hitting gravel and sand than the treatment. There is really nothing abrasive in the treatment chemicals. It does gunk up a chain though.

Harry K

 

[rebelmedic]

I`ve got some old ones as corner posts without metal on tops that are still very good and have been in ground 25 years(concreted in ground).My gate post did rot from top down though. I collected about 50 after Katrina from 8ft -20ft.The 8ft lengths are for fence posts/gate posts.They are tough on the chain.Keep a file in your pocket and touch the edge up after a few cutts or the saw will work you instead of you working it.Covering the tops of posts with metal prevents water entering and freezeing in winter thus causeing early rot/ destruction