Larch Posts ?

brownswiss

Thinking of investing in a better post. I was just chatting a guy from Charleville who sells a 3" square treated Larch post. Have any of you used them ?.

A local farmer is going to order split Larch posts from an ad in IFJ . ( possibly from Tipperary ) Have any of you bought from either supplier and if so what are your thoughts on them. Thanks

blackdog1

Be careful, there is a big difference between irish larch and other larch. Someone with more expertise will explain it better.

brownswiss

Thanks.. Appreciate the reply

The part time boy

Who in charvillie are you talking too

orm0nd

this thread might be of interest

https://twitter.com/jimlyons16/status/860851437328371712

brownswiss

Thanks for posting. You have saved some of us a lot of wasted money.

The ad I responded to was for square posts on IFJ. Looks like the same type posts in your photo

Track9

Its accepted Larch lasts longer than Spruce , so you're going in the right direction.As its square cut then its from a heavier tree & should last longer , unlike the peeled Spruce which dont last .
Problem with posts is the most important point is the Treatment ( most sellers are somewhat vague on that ) If the post is kiln dried & then pressure treated post should last . If it's just treated & not kiln dried , hmmm it probably last a few years .

brownswiss

Thanks for the replies. Which is supposed to be best Irish or imported ?

yosemitesam1

Those oak stakes on done deal look like a right job, has anyone bought off that crowd?

brownswiss

Have any of you bought Larch posts from Thurles saw mills & if so were you satisfied with them ? Thanks

bogman_bass

a 3 inch post isnt worth a damn no matter what wood its out of IMO

brownswiss

slightly off topic as not larch but have any of you used posts supplied by Doherty ( Donegal ). I have heard the name mentioned in a positive light at a few meetings. I am wondering how his posts can be any better than others who are probably supplying from the same type trees . If you have used their posts and are satisfied please give me a link to them as I am not sure I have found the right Doherty in a google search.. Thanks

White Clover

If you want good posts, get pdm or get posts from Williamson in Wexford. Forget the rest.

brownswiss

Not so sure about pdm any more. Bought quite a bit of their stuff over the years and was happy. Then I was at the open day in Athenry research centre and i noticed pdm posts that had been slightly damaged and you could see the creosote was just on the outside. The clip x rep had his stand next to it and was delighted to be able to show everyone the pdm posts. If they are using local timber and not kiln drying it then it will rot from the inside out

brownswiss

Creosote 100% as supplied to professionals by FRS has jumped fro €75 per 20 L to about €105 and one retailer in Roscommon is charging €140 for 20 L. ( Do any of you know why ? )

It can still be bought in UK for about €70 and less if you buy per barrel . Do any of you use it and do you know if it is the same product that was available before the legislation changed. It seems to be still marketed as the old product

I know it is only available to professionals & I also know why

Markcheese

How do you attach wire to an oak post..
. . Doesn't oak rot steel??
(helped build a boat once and had to use copper nails)

Username John

Markcheese wrote: »

How do you attach wire to an oak post..
. . Doesn't oak rot steel??
(helped build a boat once and had to use copper nails)

How would you drive copper into oak? Would it not bend?

Driving a staple into oak posts is hard enough...

J.O. Farmer

Markcheese wrote: »

How do you attach wire to an oak post..
. . Doesn't oak rot steel??
(helped build a boat once and had to use copper nails)

I wouldn't have thought oak would be any worse than any other timber.
I'd also say that the water the boat is going into might help rust the steel.
Also the boat holding together securely would be a bigger concern to me than the staples or wire rotting. Normally the posts are long gone first.

redbeaard

brownswiss wrote: »

slightly off topic as not larch but have any of you used posts supplied by Doherty ( Donegal ). I have heard the name mentioned in a positive light at a few meetings. I am wondering how his posts can be any better than others who are probably supplying from the same type trees . If you have used their posts and are satisfied please give me a link to them as I am not sure I have found the right Doherty in a google search.. Thanks

You're looking for Doherty Sawmills also trading as TT Teo. About halfway between Fintown and Ballybofey.

I fenced 800m last year and 900m the year before that and used all stuff from them. Too early to know for sure I suppose but looks good so far. I paid the extra for the bigger kiln dried strainers and they're very solid but far lighter than you'd expect from their size.


They supply all the shops around west Donegal so obviously a lot cheaper when you cut out the middle man. I can't remember the prices now off the top of my head at all but they were a hell of a lot cheaper than else where.

brownswiss

Thank You. sounds good. I will give them a call

Grueller

White Clover wrote: »

If you want good posts, get pdm or get posts from Williamson in Wexford. Forget the rest.

+1 for Tommy Williamson. No connection to him but buy posts nowhere else now.

Grueller

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought oak would be any worse than any other timber.
I'd also say that the water the boat is going into might help rust the steel.
Also the boat holding together securely would be a bigger concern to me than the staples or wire rotting. Normally the posts are long gone first.

It is worse than other timber. Look at the timber around staples after a while. It will be black. This is a reaction between the acidic tannins (also give whiskey its colour and flavour in oak barrels) of the timber and the steel. Brass screws should always be used in oak joinery for this reason.
Having said that it takes 20 years for a galvanised staple to break down in oak. I am currently replacing staples intermittently in oak staked that were driven in 1993 - 1997. Stakes are still rock solid.

patsy_mccabe

Any way of telling if it's really an oak stake? The weight maybe? How about driving a nail in it?

Farmer Dan

Has anyone used them split larch stakes.?
I know they might not look the best but are they a good job?

Muckit

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Any way of telling if it's really an oak stake? The weight maybe? How about driving a nail in it?

You'd know by the smell and the grain. Anyone that has ran oak through a saw will know what I mean

MickeyShtyles

Muckit wrote: »

You'd know by the smell and the grain. Anyone that has ran oak through a saw will know what I mean

Lovely smell!
Routed a big lump of oak at christmas. Should bottle it!

SCOL

I have been using old engine oil instead of cresote and it seems to work.

Grueller

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Any way of telling if it's really an oak stake? The weight maybe? How about driving a nail in it?

Weight is a good guide. Colour, texture and the tightness of the end grain of the timber are all ways of knowing. Once you see them once or twice there is no mistaking them. Another way if they are freshly cut is the smell. Always reminds me of the smell of whiskey.