Making Elegant Light Posts for Outdoor String Lights and Really Clean Install

[@wingwingwang]

I don’t usually leave comment but I have to. This is by far the best DIY light post and tutorial I have seen after watched 10s of videos on KZbin. Looks fantastic!!

[@HowTo-D2]

That's so nice of you, thanks so much for your comment.

[@CaptainHowdy420]

Great video! 👍🏻👍🏻 I did almost the exact same thing a few years back except I used a wire brush for removing most of the char and helping reveal the detail of the wood grain.

[@cristinaferreira2230]

Looks beautiful, great job

[@marisolcourtney-walker5480]

I love your back yard. Excellent work. Thank you for sharing. God bless you. 🙌

[@HowTo-D2]

Thank you so much!

[@pretty4one33]

Very elegant. I love the technique you applied to the wood and great idea about the flex seal.

[@HowTo-D2]

Thank you very much!

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

Awesome work. I really enjoyed this video.

[@HowTo-D2]

So glad you like it. Thanks for watching and have yourself a great day.

[@chetansurve4800]

Saw 4 videos and none of them explained how to connect to power .thank you

[@gabrielmariscal9554]

Thank you for the ideas - your lighting looks amazing!

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks for watching!

[@quila402]

What a beautiful set up, definitely saving for a project this summer.

[@HowTo-D2]

Thank you. Good luck with your project!

[@pamcadd8658]

Inspiring! Laughed at "not what Weber intended." Great idea, though, because I don't have a torch, either. Love the effect after staining and charring.

[@HowTo-D2]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching

[@cristinaferreira2230]

Thank great info

[@beayates6228]

Absolutely beautiful ❤️

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@robsmall8075]

Great job! That gave me some great ideas for upcoming projects!

[@HowTo-D2]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@yerevantsy]

I love the look of shou sugi ban. If you use a soft metal brush to get off the char instead of sand paper you'll get better grain.

[@HowTo-D2]

That's a great idea. Thanks for the tip!

[@isaiasvaldivia203]

Nice job 👏 beautiful fire pit

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks so much!

[@richardresendez7607]

Great step by step breakdown 👍🏻

[@HowTo-D2]

Glad you liked it!

[@Ken-o4m]

I love the backyard without even watching the string lights DIY

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks so much for the nice comment. Take care.

[@gabogugu]

😍 looks fantastic

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks so much, and thanks for watching!

[@vivianegoodman5933]

Very nice!!!

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks for watching!

[@florinewoodward1315]

Are you serious right now! That looks absolutely amazing. Strange thing I had the same ideas about my project. You did the light posts caps and the iron works hooks exactly like I'd planned. Searched a long time deciding on those elements. Now I know exactly what this will look like. The added touch for the shoshugibon and flex seal is genius. Thank you!

[@HowTo-D2]

Thanks so much. Good luck with your project, I'm sure it will be great!

[@TheFurkantatar]

Thanks for sharing! How deep the concrete you poured for the bracket? Is it gonna be strong enough? Thanks

[@mosheovaidov1467]

Great job 👏

[@HowTo-D2]

Big thanks

[@flash8051]

Nice! I would suggest picking up a couple of decent adjustable saw horses next time you're at Home Depot...:)

[@HowTo-D2]

Yeah, no kidding! Thanks for watching.

[@juliusberes302]

Out of curiosity, why did you use a bracket below grade for attaching the post to the poured concrete foundation? I'm not an expert so I am just trying to understand the decision. My understanding is a bracket on concrete above grade will significantly slow down the rot of the wood since it is not in contact with the dirt. But, since you are below grade anyway, what is the advantage of the bracket vs setting the post directly in concrete? (I guess you could easily swap out the post or remove it without digging out the concrete, but given concrete life/post life, it does not really seem likely you would want to replace the post without replacing the concrete.)

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there. Awesome question and I appreciate your observations. For me, two reasons. One was to make it easier for replacing the posts in future, and second, the concrete would take up space for planting areas. At the base of the wall, the soil there and downwards is much harder and it is where I dug the hole to place the concrete. At that line is where I placed the bracket and is where I filled the planter with the softer/loose top soil. I didn't like the idea of having large concrete footing taking up space in the areas where I would be planting things. It's not that large of a planter and space was tight. It would also be a pain to deal with pulling out old heavy concrete blocks in the future and dealing with the waste. I agree with you though, there are many ways to approach this type of project and much of it comes down to personal preference. Much thanks for watching and for your comments.

[@lesternielson9280]

that charing process is also known as shou sugi ban or yakisugi. An old Japanese method of preventing rot and insects from destroying wood.

[@HowTo-D2]

Thank you for this comment. Your thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks for watching.

[@mappyfrappy]

A wire brush is an easier way to get the char off. Don't really need to sand it at all. At least I didn't. I used a torch to turn my raised bed this color. A bit darker actually since that's what I wanted. Wear old cloths when you do it. It's messy.

[@Donna-vh5ym]

Wow!!! Amazing. I immediately subscribed. Edit: I do have one question though: I live on a Horse Ranch and I'm trying to figure out how to run the electricity cord to the outlet box without it going across the yard? Do I have to dig underneath? I don't know what to do that's why I'm asking. I hope that's not a dumb question but I never hear anyone talking about it. Maybe because it IS a dumb question..lol I want to do this near our pond.

[@HowTo-D2]

Not a dumb question at all. It sounds like where you'd like to install lights you have no power outlets currently. In this case you'll want to extend your power to that location. Usually running underground works well but you'll need to be mindful of where you place this in the ground and any future work that may be done. For example, if you place it in the ground and then a few years later someone starts digging or trenching to install fence posts, planting trees, etc. They could potentially hit this line. My suggestion is to seek a professional electrician to help with this. They will be able to do it properly for you, and to also meet local electrical code requirements for safety. That is what I did. The power outlet I have in the video was newly added. They basically tapped off another outlet on the other side of the yard and extended it underground in conduit (piping) and added a new outlet at the light post area for me. I hope this helps. Good luck with your project and thanks for watching!

[@Donna-vh5ym]

@@HowTo-D2 aww...thank you for such a informed reply. I'll definitely go that route. It all makes sense to be on the safe side. Maybe they could tap into one of mine not to to far away from where I want it. Thanks again.

[@HowTo-D2]

Sure thing, good luck on your project!

[@brenvela1262]

Hello, I really love your corner fire pit! What dimensions are they? I have a smaller yard and was hoping of putting a fire pit in the corner. Thanks!

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there, thank you! So for the dimensions of that fire put area, the raised platform you see in the corner is a 12ft x 14ft area. The fire pit itself I went a little larger than normal. Inside diameter is 40", and the outside dimension of the top (fire pit cap) is 57" diameter. Hope this helps. Good luck to you on your project and thanks for watching.

[@henryw31]

Do you have to touch up the wood once in awhile from all sun exposure

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there. Well its been two years and I still haven't had to touch it up. It's holding up really well. Maybe in another year, we'll see. The coat I put on says it's good for 4 years.

[@ninovarela8535]

Super clean job, thank you for showing us the process. Just a question, are the posts bending at all with all the weight? Is guy wire necessary to attach the string lights? or do you recommend the method you just used? Thank you.

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there, thanks for your comment. I am not seeing any bending in the posts at this point. I'll definitely look out for that as time goes on. Regarding the guy wire, that is definitely a must for long term installations. I ended up adding that later (after I created the video). I provided a link in the description for the guy wire I used which was coated in black to blend in a bit better and to keep to a clean look. Best of luck with your project!

[@samuelsalgado4506]

Great video. 👍 we’re did you get the Ironnworks and the caps for the post ?

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there. I got it on Amazon. Search Amazon for the following. Hooks: ONEPENG Wall Hook Hanging Plant Bracket, 6-Inch www.amazon.com/ONEPENG-Hanging-Bracket-Feeders-Lanterns/dp/B08CV7531C Caps: DenicMic Solar Post Lights 2 Pack www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PQG45WP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2CZ36TMJUF36W&psc=1 Hangers: HongKim 1 Piece 11-Inch Iron Plant Wall Hanger www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0834CS8Q1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AN7JAIRK2HJYO&psc=1

[@azraikezoe388]

Wow real numbers! Annoying to not have 4square in. Like to get that out of use labeled. Nice idea but I just can't handle burnt smell. How you get ten feet home? I can't even put it in my car

[@jeremyryan3829]

How deep did you dig for the concrete base for the footing for the 10 ft. posts

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there, thanks for watching. It was about 18 inches deep.

[@jeremyryan3829]

great any sign of sagging?

[@HowTo-D2]

@@jeremyryan3829 It's been about 2-1/2 years and no sagging at all. Everything is still looking great.

[@MadHatter11371]

Would you be able to show a link for the bracket that goes into the cement?

[@HowTo-D2]

Hi there, thanks for watching! Take a look at these.

[@HowTo-D2]

www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-PB-ZMAX-Galvanized-Non-Standoff-Post-Base-for-4x4-Nominal-Lumber-PB44Z/100375031

[@HowTo-D2]

www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-PBS-ZMAX-Galvanized-Standoff-Post-Base-for-4x4-Nominal-Lumber-PBS44AZ/100374846

[@MK-gz1xt]

Would a wire brush would have worked ?

[@xsteel3292]

How are they holding up after 3 months? Any movement?

[@HowTo-D2]

They are still doing great. They're in solid, no movement and holding up well. Thanks for watching!

[@xsteel3292]

@@HowTo-D2 awesome. Thank you for the reply and info. I like the thicker pole but metal is tooooooooo costly. I think I'll do this.

[@HowTo-D2]

We get pretty strong winds here as well. All is holding up well. Glad to hear you will try it, best of luck with your project.

[@Monica-il3rg]

Great video!! May ask why did you cook the wood? Was it only for cosmetic reason or was there another reason? TIA

[@HowTo-D2]

Aside from the great aesthetic appeal I was trying to achieve, charring the wood actually gives some added benefits. The Japanese call the process Yakisugi. It actually provides a level of natural weatherproofing, helps to repel insect intrusion to the wood and also offers added long term durability. Hopefully this helps you and good luck on your project. Thanks for watching!

[@rondalarimore3728]

Need lowes to encourage him to buy sawhorses and a sander

[@HowTo-D2]

Ha, yes! Thanks for watching.

[@bumpingpost]

Very nice posts but you missed one of the most important things when hanging the lights... a separate support wire that the lights hang on... you should never rely on the electrical cable to support itself, the directions should show this.

[@HowTo-D2]

Great point! Since the making of this video I have added a support wire to the string lights for long term durability. I have provided links in the description to the materials used.

[@GOREgousdEVIL]

Wow! I've been looking for a good string light video that wasn't basic/the same method I've seen a million times- and this is it, looks amazing! All that hard work really paid off. Thx for taking the time to make the video :)

[@HowTo-D2]

Awesome! Thank you for watching. Good luck on your project.