It's a great system, but don't forget that the deeper the whole or the harder the soil, the effort required to dig that hole grows exponentially - if you can do it with a shovel you're very lucky. Also don't forget about drainage behind the wall.
wall height: 600mm post height: 1200mm post hole depth: 700mm post hole diameter: 3 * the thickness of your post (100mm posts, 350-400) fill bottom with gravel so the post sits on the gravel and not in the water. if you dont care about the wall being perfectly straight, then just use old pallet wood to clamp each post into position. if you do care then you need to buy long straigh beams of wood and clamp the posts to the beam like this: ruclips.net/video/NHnUkuIBaZI/видео.html because as the concrete cures, it will cause things to shift. so lock everything down tight.
So are these suited to 50mm sleepers or 75mm sleepers? I used these at home with 50mm sleepers and they sit "loose" at the top. As a result I will now have to run some tope skirting to hide the gap between the timber and concrete wall.
Hi Reece, there is a 50mm version and a 75mm version of Retain iT. Each will provide a couple of millimetres of 'play' to allow for timber shrinkage and expansion caused by changes in the weather.
did the water in the post hole affect the concrete? I am wondering if I should wait for decent weather before setting 8 posts in the ground or just go ahead while we're having intermittent heavy rains on a daily basis
Hi there, the Retain iT wall we built (this was over 10 years ago) is still standing and solid today. You need to ensure even distribution of the dry mix and have the right amount of water (because excess water will reduce the strength of the mix). We removed some of the water to get it right. If there is any doubt due to weather concerns: Don’t proceed yet, OR Please contact your quick-set concrete manufacturer for more details
@@meetdiyjack I am installing a 800mm high raised bed using (125 x 65) 1500mm galvanised parallel flange channel bolted together in pairs to achieve right angle corners. The PFC will be sunk 700mm in the ground. It's going to be a while before all eight are in the ground
@@amogrows Have you seen our Retain-iT corner posts in 1500mm height? These are perfect for corners. meetjack.com.au/product/retain-it-classic-50mm-system/ or meetjack.com.au/product/retain-it-classic-75mm-system/ watch our how-to video on raised garden bed here: meetjack.com.au/inspiration-and-advice/post/how-to-erect-a-raised-garden-bed-with-retain-it/
Hi - yes you can do slight curve. If you private message us on Messenger we can send you a pick of one that was done recently. Or if you can wait, we will be posting the project pictures on Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday 18th November,
Generally speaking (from our quick maths) a 20kg bag of quick set concrete will fill a 200mm diameter hole at 400mm depth. This depends on the brand of concrete and their specification and it is worth checking in with the concrete manufacturer.
Hi - 50mm sleepers can warp more easily at that length. Certainly the sleepers will fit the Retain iT but you should check with your timber supplier as to how they believe the timber will perform in your area/environment.
It's a great system, but don't forget that the deeper the whole or the harder the soil, the effort required to dig that hole grows exponentially - if you can do it with a shovel you're very lucky. Also don't forget about drainage behind the wall.
Great tips JJfanz! Also dial before you dig. Thanks
A fencing crow bar makes this much easier.
wall height: 600mm
post height: 1200mm
post hole depth: 700mm
post hole diameter: 3 * the thickness of your post (100mm posts, 350-400)
fill bottom with gravel so the post sits on the gravel and not in the water.
if you dont care about the wall being perfectly straight, then just use old pallet wood to clamp each post into position.
if you do care then you need to buy long straigh beams of wood and clamp the posts to the beam like this: ruclips.net/video/NHnUkuIBaZI/видео.html
because as the concrete cures, it will cause things to shift. so lock everything down tight.
I'm trying to find something equivalent to this in the US. Is there a supplier who can ship these to the US?
So are these suited to 50mm sleepers or 75mm sleepers? I used these at home with 50mm sleepers and they sit "loose" at the top. As a result I will now have to run some tope skirting to hide the gap between the timber and concrete wall.
Hi Reece, there is a 50mm version and a 75mm version of Retain iT. Each will provide a couple of millimetres of 'play' to allow for timber shrinkage and expansion caused by changes in the weather.
did the water in the post hole affect the concrete? I am wondering if I should wait for decent weather before setting 8 posts in the ground or just go ahead while we're having intermittent heavy rains on a daily basis
Hi there, the Retain iT wall we built (this was over 10 years ago) is still standing and solid today.
You need to ensure even distribution of the dry mix and have the right amount of water (because excess water will reduce the strength of the mix). We removed some of the water to get it right.
If there is any doubt due to weather concerns:
Don’t proceed yet, OR
Please contact your quick-set concrete manufacturer for more details
@@meetdiyjack Thanks for the advice. I think it's best I wait, even if I have to wait 11 months for June to roll around again
@@amogrows You're welcome! Once you build it, let us know. We'd love to see and possibly share your project on our social media pages. :)
@@meetdiyjack I am installing a 800mm high raised bed using (125 x 65) 1500mm galvanised parallel flange channel bolted together in pairs to achieve right angle corners. The PFC will be sunk 700mm in the ground. It's going to be a while before all eight are in the ground
@@amogrows Have you seen our Retain-iT corner posts in 1500mm height? These are perfect for corners. meetjack.com.au/product/retain-it-classic-50mm-system/ or meetjack.com.au/product/retain-it-classic-75mm-system/ watch our how-to video on raised garden bed here: meetjack.com.au/inspiration-and-advice/post/how-to-erect-a-raised-garden-bed-with-retain-it/
Can this system be used to build a wall with a slight curve instead of dead straight?
Hi - yes you can do slight curve. If you private message us on Messenger we can send you a pick of one that was done recently. Or if you can wait, we will be posting the project pictures on Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday 18th November,
how much concrete mix is required per post hole if i'm digging 350mm down with a petrol digger?
Generally speaking (from our quick maths) a 20kg bag of quick set concrete will fill a 200mm diameter hole at 400mm depth. This depends on the brand of concrete and their specification and it is worth checking in with the concrete manufacturer.
So can this system be used with three metre 50mm sleepers?
Hi - 50mm sleepers can warp more easily at that length. Certainly the sleepers will fit the Retain iT but you should check with your timber supplier as to how they believe the timber will perform in your area/environment.