Why we build our cedar fences with steel fence posts! | A better cedar privacy fence

👉🏻 Grab some here (pricing includes freight): bit.ly/SWISteelFencePosts
There are a lot of reasons we build our cedar privacy fences with steel fence posts! We're out to build the strongest, most durable, and longest-lasting fence we can. In this video we break down the advantages of using steel fence posts and rough-cut cedar to produce a better cedar privacy fence.

[@JLittleBass]

I'm really enjoying this comedy duo :D

[@noahdevine915]

Another great video awesome to see one of your crew leaders

[@SWiFence]

You’ll see more of him coming up soon!

[@1stFlyingeagle]

I used a link and jumped to this vid. Well done great info. Would like to see the 2x4 being sized and installed. Then see finished product.

[@user-ef5gp4en5r]

I WANT TO USE 6X6 PT FOR posts with a shadowbox our Deck stands about 2' higher at grade level where the fence is going at the property line there is a slope hence the reason for the 8' privacy do you have POSTMASTERS TO ACCOMPLISH this or do i have to do the 6x6 PT W/ CONCRETE I want the fence to look beefy and stout Any suggestions????? Thanks. Oh we do get some high winds but not the winds you guys get!!!

[@andresmaldonado7356]

How do you make a driveway gate with this style? I keep looking in your videos but don’t see yet

[@stuartporter5428]

Does anyone know if these can be obtained in the UK? They look more substantial than the Durapost which we can get here.

[@ericaperalta2185]

I wish I had a handyman!

[@powers6963]

Great looking fence. I'm about to use some one my fence build. Question - which stainless screws do you use for the rails?

[@SWiFence]

These: www.swifence.com/8-x-1-5-8-stainless-screw-lb.html?id=6495937

[@rogerbettencourt9654]

Feel the Burn 🔥, Love the content and what you guys are doing for the industry. You guys are almost as good as Joe Everest, almost. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work, on both channels.👍

[@SWiFence]

Who can be as good as Joe Everest? 😁 Thanks for the compliment!

[@rogerbettencourt9654]

@@SWiFence , I know Right?! I may be able to steal his color, but I will never steal his thunder! You guys are great 👍

[@maliquewilliams86]

I think they are BETTER!!😃

[@johnsrabe]

Love the dialectic.

[@mattd9162]

Been running a fence line with Postmasters 7'6 and have a dip on the grade so I was looking for a few 9' Postmasters but neither Lowes or Home Depot has them. Any good workarounds or know where I can get the 9 footers? Thank you!

[@SWiFence]

I was going to point you to www.swifence.com but we're out of stock too...

[@karlywyrick1599]

You said you would have to set the posts deeper when driving them into the ground. Does that mean for a 6 foot privacy fence you would need a post longer than 8 feet?

[@SWiFence]

3’ is our minimum drive depth here but that can vary depending on soil. We have a heavy clay and posts hold well at 36”. if you have boggy or sandy ground you may need 4K to get solid.

[@tym5583]

Sweet video. How far diameter and how deep for the concrete?

[@SilentlyContinue]

Second the request. How deep?

[@SWiFence]

32" min

[@ChrisSmith-bt1cv]

Do you ship to New England? I'm curious how these would work in our soil conditions. My fence line is near a tree line. I think the post master would be better to drive these posts and to the tree roots, am I thinking correctly? Frost lines, everything I've read says to drive these 2' into the soil for a 6' fence. However, the frost line here in CT is 42" would these things drive just as easily to that depth?

[@SWiFence]

You're always going to want to go below frost line. And yes, they'll drive that deep--depending on your soil. Give the guys in the shop a call and you can bounce some questions off of them. 👍🏻 [phone]

[@stich1960]

I'm kind of confused You mentioned the stainless fasteners but how are you keeping the postmaster isolated? I know and cases like that I've used window tape before and it works good enough. You didn't mention it and then last time mistaken I think it would have the same reaction unless there's something special with their galvanized process

[@SWiFence]

We don't isolate the Postmasters and don't have issues.

[@Grandpa_RLP]

I am replacing an 8 ft privacy fence and looking at using these post. Will 10 ft post be long enough and strong enough? By the looks of it I will get 30 inches into the ground. Is that deep enough to go without concrete or should I concrete for an 8 ft privacy?

[@SWiFence]

You're going to want to plan on putting them in concrete--also narrow up your spacing to 6' instead of 8' for the added wind load. 👍🏻

[@victoryocom3962]

I came across this video about postmaster posts and started researching but I can’t find any Information regarding using these posts for fences where the panels are at angles greater than 90 degrees. Any advice on how to make these work?

[@SWiFence]

Simply line up the face with the edge of the last line as you turn the corner and cut the 2x4 at an angel if needed. We typically attach the 2x4 to the back of the post where making a turn by screwing into the end grain of the perpendicular fence post.

[@th8033]

​@@SWiFence I was wondering the same thing here. I understand cutting the 2x4 that tie into the corner but how do you address the clip? Seem like a portion of the clip would be hanging off. Also can you further explain why you would put a 2x4 on the back of the post where making the turn instead of 1x6?

[@95691edith]

Wow 😮

[@garyvanleeuwen9535]

How would you add gates in your fence with these posts?

[@SWiFence]

We have some videos on this if you check out our channel.

[@johnroberts2104]

How do you make a corner post? Is it the same post rotated or a special post?

[@SWiFence]

Corners are easy! We set the post in line with one direction and align it so the 2x4 going the other direction can line up on the other side of the “c” on the post if that makes sense

[@nunyabisnis1448]

@@SWiFence wheat do I get these post in my area and how would you use your product if I was to build a fence with the boards running horizonal would you run the two by 4's vertically or use 3/4 in 8'planks with s.s. screws 3/4 long and or rap the post as to hide it ??

[@eljugado]

Are postmaster post better that lifetime brand steel posts?

[@SWiFence]

I hear the Lifetime Steel posts are a little thinner. I can't say that for sure because I've never used them--we've just always used PostMaster and been happy.

[@c-qc-q2021]

I'm going to give Postmaster posts a try. What's the best way to cut them to length after setting them, portable band saw, reciprocating saw, circular saw, angle grinder, ? ?

[@SWiFence]

We use a portable band saw and we love it.

[@c-qc-q2021]

​@@SWiFenceThanks. Maybe I can rent one.

[@bazatron13]

Can you put pickets on both sides of rail ?

[@tabcobra]

Yes

[@bazatron13]

@@tabcobra cheers 🤙

[@SWiFence]

absolutely.

[@gretchenjustice1903]

Any locations in heartland KY?

[@SWiFence]

Unfortunately not. ☹

[@xJI00]

Don’t stainless steel and galvanised steel corrode when used together ?

[@SWiFence]

I wouldn't use them together in a saltwater environment, but we've never seen any corrosion pairing them in our fences.

[@Paul-lv4kd]

Yes, they do and it's called galvonic corrosion...it happens with any water. Using high quality (304 or 316) stainless screws will limit corrosion but your best bet is to use hot dipped galvanized screws.

[@ermalundy2988]

do you have these posts available in Ontario Canada

[@SWiFence]

Sorry but not at this time.

[@miltondavies259]

They are available at Lowes in Canada now $49.99

[@ChristianGutierrez]

I am sold, but what is the price comparison of postmaster and round poles?

[@SWiFence]

Well that’s a little tough to pin down at the moment with pricing so volatile. Pipe is usually cheaper to buy but costs more in labor and other parts. Over all its best to use the purpose built product whenever possible.

[@tabcobra]

Quite a bit more than using 2 3/8” and Simpson brackets.

[@thomasolson49]

No finished fence shot?

[@SWiFence]

Hmmm, I guess not in that one. We'll keep that in mind!

[@brents927]

What is the cost per foot for the customer?

[@SWiFence]

Uh-oh Brent! You asked the question which shall not be spoken! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJi9iYyIob2qlbM

[@rubbersole79]

Why not use treated rails and cedar pickets?

[@SWiFence]

We think cedar is a better-performing and better-looking option.

[@ChiefCasebolt]

Do you install in Alabama

[@SWiFence]

We don't. 😥

[@robertcopeland9298]

I only have access to 8' postmaster fence posts locally and my locality in Ohio wants 38" holes dug for the fence posts. If I can only get 8' posts, what's the best way to float the post above 14" of concrete so that I have 72" of post above the ground for the 6' high fence?

[@SWiFence]

Great question. You'll want to make sure your concrete is mixed thick enough to support the weight of the posts while you're setting the height. You can ignore the eye-sighting part of this video if you're using string, but you can see the concrete stabbing method here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m52wqpyilNSSnbc

[@velox03]

I also could only get 8' posts. My solution was to extend the 2x2" wood which is attached to the post above the post height. I was able to go 1-2ft higher which gave me 10' post.

[@keshlopez8598]

How to make a concrete edge

[@SWiFence]

kzbin.info/aero/PLqL1XE-47CfgJghKUdKv5YZORVBwrtrqA

[@Casmige]

If you close your eyes & listen?, I swear to Gawd you sound like the Hank “pro-pane” Hill of cedar fence building 😂

[@ericworkman1562]

It may hold up in 90 mph wind but the posts are only rated up to 75.

[@SWiFence]

The other variable is the height of fence. The taller the fence the less wind they will withstand. When building tall fences or fences in high wind areas with no break, I would recommend shortening the post spacing. In some severe cases it may be a good idea to seek an engineer's opinion.

[@deesroll]

How do you justify a over 100% markup selling the post master posts on your website? Lowes sells for $35, you sell for $85.

[@SWiFence]

If you're local Lowes sells them for $35 that's a steal and you should go buy up as many as you can. They're sure not selling them for that price on their website. Especially with delivery.

[@KLondike5]

No way. 2 months since that post & I see them for $68 at Home Depot. Lowe's lists Lifetime brand posts in the $30s. Those are a little different but much cheaper.

[@celestegrey9309]

I justify buying these posts because in a few years the wood posts will be rotted and the fence leaning- so I’ll take the post master all day long. 💥

[@Self_Empowered444]

Everyone loves capitalism until they don’t 😂

[@israelrodriguez2402]

That's funny; my wooden post still holds firm after 15 years. This 5-year rotting post is bogus, unless you installed the wrong wood or wood from home depot or Lowes

[@SWiFence]

I think soil condition and region of the US are also going to be critical factors here.

[@Alyosha00]

80 bucks a piece... ouch! You sure you didn't make these posts out out of titanium? Jokes aside, with this price, my whole cedar fence budget doubles. I understand there may be some r&d costs and such, but this price point is way off. Are you making any money by selling only a handful of these?

[@SWiFence]

These are the only posts we use when installing cedar simply because we don't have time for the headache of getting called back for problems. Steel has always been more than lumber, but unfortunately with all the insanity of the last few years the materials market has gone absolutely crazy. Supply shortages are a regular problem and prices have skyrocketed. At the end of last month raw steel was up 75% from what it was April of last year. 75%! That's nuts! Prices are so crazy right now that if you get a quote and then wait 6 months to decide, you can't be surprised if your price is a good 15-30% higher than the original quote.

[@Pineapple-mi3wj]

What do the L look like for this post?

[@SWiFence]

Er... I feel like I'm missing something obvious I should know. The "L"?

[@mlhm5]

No kick boards!!!

[@cristinagonzalez7147]

B

[@SWiFence]

C. Your turn.

[@mojammer]

Are they brothers

[@SWiFence]

They are. 😁

[@jimmyjunk2337]

The problem is the cost for these post. We already have a very hard time on material costs for our customers. When you give a wood fence quote just the wood fence 4x4 which are about 15 dollars along with the 8ft wide panels are about 77 dollars. So your talking about 100 plus concrete about 115 dollars total. If you use these post masters which I really would rather that 115 price jumps up to 200. That would be fine if we were talking about a few sections but that extra amount per section adds up. I don't see the value here and justification. Customers are not going to pay that difference unless your dealing with a customer with some money. The over all customer these days is looking for the lowest cost possible

[@bluearcherx]

and they'll be putting in a new fence in 15 years. cheaper to do this once.. those galvanized posts will last 100 years in the ground.

[@jimmyjunk2337]

@@bluearcherx I agree but people are having a hard time paying for the fence materials and labor so adding 20% more is a tuff thing to do. On clients that can afford to great use the metal

[@johannes6760]

Too bad those flanges aren’t wider

[@SWiFence]

They are now on the V2

[@jeffreykarl2865]

I completely agree about flanges

[@hmtrimworks7148]

Ahhh... $60 per post... a little pricey to say the least.

[@SWiFence]

The materials market is a little crazy right now.

[@jayb.8460]

Think it would have been best to just let the guy with black hat do the whole video himself.... and why not put a kick plate so they see absolutely no steel instead of the bottom 3 inches?

[@SWiFence]

Landscaping usually covers up the rest. Kick plates (allow called rot boards) simply are not used here like they are in wet climates.

[@cvzphotography]

If only they didnt cost $75 a piece.

[@NicholasRachuna]

The fact that you specify "the only difference is the point of failure " failure of set posts being at the top of the footing vs driven posts being just below grade proves that the set post is stronger. The lower failure point means it would require less wind force seeing as the fence will have more leverage on that point being further down the fulcrum.

[@SWiFence]

Lucky for you we tested this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZq0n5ubi9x0f5Y kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpu6lIdnbLV5g6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/laO9o2Suqc-sZrM kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZTVaGaCotRshZo

[@gooners08]

@JoeEverest