How To Set Up a Fence Post Without Concrete! 

Hi sir... I'm watching this and want to thank u for showing me a simple method with no power tools... I'm not mechanically inclined too well but I get this. Thank you again.

I am installing a fence line for my dog and I'm already doing this. Thx for making sure I was doing it right

I generally watch building videos for shits and giggles but you sir are a master. I've been saying the same for timber posts for years and people don't accept it as the correct way.

Thanks for this. We're building a platform in a conservation area (in Scotland) where we can't use concrete, so we'll be using this method!

Ever hear of an auger? They came as hand tools back in the day. We dug all the post holes on the farm with an auger. Another tool was needed to pick rocks out if you hit one with the auger. That tool most people call a post hole digger, and they use to dig the hole entirely with that. But you are absolutely right about putting cement around posts; they will rot off just above the concrete plug. Don't need concrete. Just tamp the dirt down around the post. For corner posts, you can construct an anchor at the bottom of the post with 2x4's and pieces of board. I mean corner posts where a fence will be stretched upon. A second post will be braced against the corner post and a # 9 wire doubled looped is then twisted to hold the brace from second post in place. Well anyhow. Don't use concrete and don't use that foam crap either. Just go natural and put posts in the ground and tamp soil around it. In time it will hold the same as concrete without the rot going on.

Brilliant video, thank you! I've just put some fence posts up using your method - no cement or concrete. Solid!

Great video, great information. I love the old school methods. Makes me want to rip up all my old fencing and do it properly. Can't wait for your next video - Maresi

A lot depends on soil type, weather, etc stick untreated/ unprotected post in the ground in wet climate it will dip or rot pretty quick.. also if you don’t go below the frost line in Scotland your post is fuked pretty quick.. especially when we get really high winds too..

Ive swung big farm gates on posts using this method, 15 years later no worries!

Great and informative video, would like to see a video how to use a leveler, thanks!

You’re the first guy I’ve seen use a level to tamp. I use it too for that purpose. This was an interesting demonstration. I’ve often heard of the rot comes from concrete however I live in a high clay high rain environment. I’ve looked for alternatives to concrete but my customers actually ask for it. This is the first I’ve heard of cement being used with dirt. Interesting idea. My idea was 3/4 minus with some dirt. Packs well, however I haven’t pitched that idea yet to my customers as it requires using a wheel barrow which I’m not keen to use yet. Versus packing concrete bags which I’ve been doing.

Amazing vid very informative for a dummy such as myself

My father taught me the same way. Except (a) we normally have clay soil and so we pack in road base or builder's mix (b) we always put the post 1/3 in the ground 2/3 above ground plus pack a little under the post or put a rock under it because in clay soil the water is going to find its way to the bottom of the hole (c) I always use an auger either by hand or machine. I'm about to do another fence and I must be the only one who doesn't concrete the posts in. I'm curious about the sprinkle of cement. What does that do?

Great explanation, thank you!

Fantastic technique, thank you for sharing sir

This looks amazingly easy, the post will remain sturdy enough to withstand winds at only 21.5 inches deep and no concrete? That isn't even 2 feet. I have a digging bar with no tamper on the end, but I'll use the level like you did as a tamper.

Hey, thank you so much for the incredible video. Can you also add in gravel or crushed stone mixed in with dirt? Which is stronger?

Thanks for the video. It's a pity you didn't show how strong that post is in the video. I know this video is about the fence post so it doesn't need to be super strong. I'm wondering as I'm going to build a playhouse for my kids and I'm exploring all options how to set up posts. While I don't expect for that playhouse to be there in 10 years I'd like to do it as well as possible.

Thanks from🇿🇦

So painting or applying any protection on the bottom of the post doesn't do much to help it last ? How does this apply to gate posts that are for a 5 foot gate opening ? I'll try this for the regular fence sections

12 inch sq with a 4x4 post.Sand is going to get wet and rot the post just as quick as concrete.You can cover the post with poly to prevent concrete from burning out the post.In wet regions like places with long winters and several wet rainy wet months sand/dirt will just not do at all.You want gravel in the bottom to allow water to move away and prevent frost from lifting then i would always use concrete or i foam seems to be a good option as well because foam is not biodegradeable.

Great video. Thanks. I’ve just spent my weekend digging out several posts that had gone rotten over the years. Have you got any recommendations about what to do if you don’t have a nice small diameter hole. A couple of the holes that are left are quite a bit bigger. Should I just stick with using the concrete method?

Terrific video. Thank you. I'm putting up a clothes dryer line, so two steel poles in either side. The steel poles are round of course. Can I use your method for steel poles?

Now I need you to come to my home, and do 20 practical demonstrations...

so much confidence in his method that he doesnt even do a strength test and gently taps it and says look how strong it is lmao

Ideally, you don't want the soil being packed "dry". Each soil has its own unique moisture density curve, but all soils (even road base) pack more densely with some moisture. Too wet and it squishes around. Too dry and it doesn't pack. At least a little moisture for dry soils like you had would produce a denser packed soil.

great video man

In a dry climate MAYBE you're right, just packed in dirt. Here in Los Angeles when replacing old wood fences with new ones, the posts are always rotten and termite infested where the dirt touches the wood post above the old concrete. We put 'em in fresh concrete and bring up the concrete to 1" to 2" ABOVE ground level, shaped and sloped away from the post to shed water. This inhibits rot and infestation. I WISH we didn't have to use concrete. Pressure treated posts don't matter about this, not like the rot and termite resistant Arsenic treated posts of the 1970s and 1980s, today's treated posts have a much more mild and environmentally friendly chemical treatment. Good luck.

Hi John, great video. I'm looking to build a pergola and wondered if this would be strong enough to hold it all in place ?

Sorry if this is a silly question - but what about Postcrete - does this destroy the timber also?

Wheel BaI dug a 3ft 9 inch deep hole with a diameter of 14 inches. Due to rain, the 3ft 9 inch hole got about 9 inches of water in the hole. Crazy thing is the hole was completely covered prior to the rain but somehow 9 inches of water still got into the hole. I have been waiting for the dirt to soak up all the water in the hole however it doesn't seem to be doing that. After two weeks the water is still there. So my question is what would be the best way to drain the water out of the hole? I thought about just putting a few thick bed sheets in the hole to soak up all the water like a sponge but wasn't sure if that would work efficiently. I then thought about just pouring dry concrete in the hole and mixing it with the water that is already in the hole. What do you suggest? One more question. If I drained all the water out of the hole and the dirt/soil in the hole is still wet and soft is it still okay to mix concrete and pour it into the hole with the dirt/soil already being fully saturated with water? Oh wait....one more question LOL. How many bags of concrete would I need for a 3ft 9 inch deep hole with a diameter of 14 inches? I will be installing a fencing pole with a diameter of about 2 inches. Thanks for your help.

Im thinking of getting steel pipes of 40mm in diameter, hammer it in like 60cm, my dad has a lot of those from plumbing work, as fence post, should i just hammer it in to the ground, or should i dig holes and pack it down as you instruct us with your video? We did it in his garden, with concrete, dug holes ,but as the concrete set ,it still moves about, like the pipe is set in the concrete, but the concrete somehow is not quite snug in the hole, so it allows movement... Im only gonna get these modern 3d fence panels, that is quite light.

If you have heavy clay soil can you add a bit of sand in place of cement?

hmmm I have built fences before and 30 years plus down the road are up and working. I do use concreate and treated wood

Will this type of post support a hammock?

Hey John. Might of saved me some money. I’ve got clay soil would it work if I mix sand in the mix.

2 questions - 1. Can you do this in colder climate like Canada? 2. Won’t the cement you put in become concrete once it rains?

Now I've seen them pour concrete in the hole and set an anchor on top for post is that better or not good this was done for a deck 6x6 lumber

Can these posts also be used to support a two-story house?

I agree, no concrete. Post meds to be below frost line where applicable

Can you use this method in northern climates?

Can I use this method in Chicago

Omg tysm now my dogs can be free now

You are the man

Nice vid bro

Nice video but , I would rather purchase a Auger to dig the hole .

What type of concrete y used

How deep you need put the fence post into the hole to fix it? 20 cm?

How does putting the concrete in with the dirt help?

Would this video also apply to Canadian conditions and ground ground is pretty wet out here?

can you hang a gate of this post setting method?

Excellent video and description. However your post is not level, it is plumb. Greetings from Maine

What's the difference between cement and concrete?

How long did the packing process take?

Call for inspection of wire first bc is fatal injuries

What is the point of the concrete ?

Sorry mate, but that timber post will rot off level with soil round it.

Cement concrete what’s the difference 🤔

No need to pack the dirt. Just run a garden hose in the hole while filling with dirt, you will get more dirt in the hole than what came out.

All is ok....except.using his level to compac the soil...there isi another tool for that (pinch bar)

The best I found is use 1" clean stone.

What about termites?

its the pinch bar called something else

No more digging for me lol I have a post hole digger that hooks up to a tractor a lot easier 😁

That sure isn't very deep. It has always amazed me how many people think that around a two foot depth is adequate... and then become surprised when their posts fail. Yes I understand that this is in a residential area. But I wouldn't go less than a four foot depth, when building a fence.

That's level abuse

I GET A LAUGH WATCHING THE AUSSIES BUILDING TECHNIQUES. AUSSIES TITLE OF VIDEO HOW TO BUILD A WOOD FENCE WITHOUT WOOD

And then you take 2 hours to dig one hole 😂😂😂

Wrong on so many points

I cant find that tool sharp and small for digging edges in ground. There is no tool in my country Serbia What to use instead that? Ice picking tool?