I'm in the process of frantically trying to finish my deer proof garden fortress and sunk pressure treated 4X4s into concrete. Everything was straight and level until they started to dry out and two of them began to bow.

These are the two in question:


I'd rather not dismantle what I've done, dig them up and put two new ones in if I can help it. If it comes to that, I think I'll just leave them for now and do it at a later date.

Ideas?

You don't have a board straightener?

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
You don't have a board straightener?

I lost it with my board stretcher, dammit.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
You don't have a board straightener?

I lost it with my board stretcher, dammit.

I've got a spare one laying around somewhere, I think it's under my wire stretcher. Maybe in the drawer with my left handed screw drivers?

I seriously doubt there is any solution other than replacing it. I've tried parking a car on a warped piece of wood for a few days, zero effect.

I had some fencing 4x4's do that in the small amount of time before I arrived with finished panels to attach. The direction of the warpage pointed directly away from another 4x4. I took an old motorcycle tie-down and pulled it back toward the other 4x4. I used a second tie down to link the straight 4x4 to a metal pole within about 6 inches, and that kept it straight. I wet it down and let the Texas heat do its thing. left it that way for about a day and attached the fencing. I left the tie downs up there for weeks after just to be certain. It seemed to work and it had no bowing once everything else was in place.
So if there is a suitable something to tie off to...?

Well I was going to say go to the hardware store and buy another one, but that's not gonna work...

Eh?

quote:

Originally posted by 83v45magna:
I had some fencing 4x4's do that in the small amount of time before I arrived with finished panels to attach. The direction of the warpage pointed directly away from another 4x4. I took an old motorcycle tie-down and pulled it back toward the other 4x4. I used a second tie down to link the straight 4x4 to a metal pole within about 6 inches, and that kept it straight. I wet it down and let the Texas heat do its thing. left it that way for about a day and attached the fencing. I left the tie downs up there for weeks after just to be certain. It seemed to work and it had no bowing once everything else was in place.
So if there is a suitable something to tie off to...?

Not a bad idea actually. What I was considering is putting in another cross 2X4 half way up and screwing that in using a fence puller to straighten it enough to get the screws in.

You have a beautiful spot!

Good luck with the warp.

^^^^ Thanks. Due to injuries I've done next to nothing with it the past two years so it's a work in progress. Lots to do this year.

some creative use of chain/cable and some turnbuckles and eyebolts/clamps ought to work

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
^^^^ Thanks. Due to injuries I've done next to nothing with it the past two years so it's a work in progress. Lots to do this year.

Hopefully that ankle is fully healed now.

Is that a river and a mountain in the background? If so I'm super jealous. I noticed all evergreens, no deciduous trees. What's your growing season like? Do you have to grow all "early" varieties? I have a freaking frost warning tonight! Peppers are going to be screwed, 40's kill production, don't want find out what 30's will do.

you have to use the knot remover before you use the board straightener

quote:

Originally posted by side_shot:
you have to use the knot remover before you use the board straightener

If appearance didn't matter, cut the bowed top off and sister in a straight piece on top.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
If appearance didn't matter, cut the bowed top off and sister in a straight piece on top.

Actually, since the high sides are only six feet (top of the top 2X4), my plan was to put a one foot lattice material across the top and then cut off the remaining anyway. So that's very likely going to take care of the one in the top pick. That particular on is a gate post anyway so I should be able to figure out a way to cover that up.

The other one is going to take a little more brains and muscle though.

And yeah Skins, river down below and mountains all around. Not much for real deciduous trees around these parts (hardwoods anyway) which is one of the other reasons I'm trying to plant a bunch of black locust on my property. I do have a peach tree that produced nearly 100 peaches last year...until the fucking birds got every single one them literally overnight. To say that I was pissed is the understatement of the century. My Granny Smith is starting to blossom out finally this year (six year old tree) and am looking for some of that goodness come fall. I will be netting them both this year though.

My sympathies, I've got a similar problem with my fence, the wood 4x4's warped and now my 3 walk through gates don't hang right and open-close properly. I should have used metal poles instead of wood 4x4's.

Maybe you could yank it out, put in a metal pole, and frame the pole in 1x4 cedar wood so it looks better.

You can make a kerf (or several spaced as required) in the outside radius of the bow, then pull the post a little over center inside, then screw a 1x4 on the inside, and or a 1x4 on each side.

It may work for a short while, or a long while.


Or dig it out and start over with that post.

In the end, is it easier to do #1 and hope, or #2, and not worry about down g the #2 down the road when the fence is complete.

I am the number 2 guy, having been the number one guy more times that I like to admit.

You will regret putting the post in concrete. One of the biggest deterrents to the life of the post is ants. They will eat even pressure treated lumber with no ill effects.

Are you going to use a wire fence or plastic?

Electroshock therapy.