Mounting a t-14

[Ted n Ms]

Chuck Abare don't recommend using using a wood pole to mount a T-14.But i was thinking i could use a 6x6x16 and concrete it in ground about 30'' it should be plenty strong. What do you think?

[Don Strickland]

I have a "heavy" T-14 mounted on a 12' treated 5X5 and it is doing very well. We have some pretty strong winds here also. Wind today is probably gusting to 30 MPH.
I would go down another 6" and bell the bottom of the hole and you should be ok.
Don

[Ted n Ms]

Thanks Don. I have changed my mind. I am going with 3x3 square tubing with a 1/4'' wall and a ground socket.

[Don Strickland]

I think that will definitely hold up a t-14 or two.......If the wind blows that down, it will probably take your house too.
Don

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Ted, you made a good choice on the 3in pipe.

The problem with wooden poles are that they all may act differently. A green pole that has not dried out real well may curve or twist in any direction, where a dry pole may stay straight

Also, a straight dry wooden pole can absorb a lot of moisture if it is not painted and if the cracks are not filled, and then it can act like a green pole, and it may twist and curve.

A third factor is the age of the tree where the pole came from. Usually an older tree will remain straighter, where a younger rapidly grown pole will not stay straight. The rapidly grown trees have fewer grains, so they will more likely bend and curve easier.

Some this can be reduced or eliminated by laminating a pole, this is a far superior way to make a martin pole.

Other factors are the amount of wind in your area, the weight of the housing, the height of the housing. Heavy housing could cause a real straight pole to bend rather easily during wet windy periods.

If you can get 3in square pipe (aluminum or steel) that is reasonable thick, it is a much better choice, but try to get the thicker stronger varieties for heavy T-14 poles.

[flyin-lowe]

Ted
Just curious if you had that pole made or bought it from somebody. I have been trying to find a similar sized pole but right now scrap prices are so high any type of steel pole is way to expensive. The 3 1/2 round pole I bought about 6 years ago was $3 per foot. I tried to buy another one last year from the same supplier and the import Chinese steel was $9.00 a foot and US steel was $12 a foot.

[Ted n Ms]

flyin-lowe I am buying the Square tubing from a welding supply. I have a friend that is a retired machinist. That is getting it for me at wholsale cost. 20' 3x3 with 1/4'' wall for 100.00 That's five buks a foot ( not cheap)

[rdhd]

I

[flyin-lowe]

flyin-lowe I am buying the Square tubing from welding supply. I have a friend that is a retired machinist. That is getting it for me at wholsale cost. 20' 3x3 with 1/4'' wall for 100.00 That's five buks a foot ( not cheap)

Cheaper then $12 a foot