Replies

1. 
   gdavis62 | Mar 30, 2004 09:00pm | #1

   Go to the Simpson Strong-Tie and Kant-Sag websites, and look at their "post base" connectors.  Galvanized steel thingies that you lag to your concrete, then stand the post in, and nail through the thingie into the post.

1. 
   bobl | Mar 30, 2004 09:12pm | #2

   read the use of the connectors carefully

   can't just pick a connector from the picture

   if this sounds too fundimental, sorrybobl          Volo, non valeo

2. 
   DanH | Mar 30, 2004 10:13pm | #3

   Keep in mind that it's one thing to anchor the post to the concrete, and entirely another to install the post so that it resists lateral force. To resist lateral force you probably need to epoxy a bolt into the concrete and then use the concealed-nut-in-the-base-of-the-post technique (though taking care to protect the end of the post from rot somehow).

   Another approach is to anchor a steel pipe into the concrete, and then slide the hollow post over it.

1. 
   gdavis62 | Mar 30, 2004 10:28pm | #4

   C'mon boys.  Newels for a deck railing?  He's not anchoring a weather station atop Mt. McKinley!

   Just rent or borrow one of those rotary hammer drills, as seen in the most recent edition of FH, pop in some holes, drop in some lead shields, and screw down the connector bases with galvanized lagscrews.  Couldn't be more simple.  I am presuming this porch rail has some corners to lend itself some lateral bracing.

   Unless one of you is a structural engineer, PE license in his state, and would like to quote him a fee for doing a rigorous analysis?  Let's see, wind load, uplift, seismic, core samples of the slab, weights of folks who might like to lean on the railing, yadda, yadda, yadda.

1. 
   mitch | Mar 30, 2004 10:37pm | #6

   the galvanized steel bases are commonly referred to as AB44's.  simpson and others make them and any decent home center or lumberyard sells them.

   m

2. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 31, 2004 12:39am | #7

   For a railing to be safe it has to be done right.  I don't know the residential code, but OSHA requires industrial railings to be able to withstand a 200 pound force applied in any direction to the railing.  So, if you had a 42 inch tall railing (OSHA height) mounted to a 3½ inch square post fastened to the concrete with a single lag in the center, you'd have a pull out force on the lag of 4800 pounds.  Residential codes may be looser, but you can't just slap in a lead anchor and expect the railing to hold up when a few adults lean against the railing for a conversation.

   A whole crowd of people died in Chicago last year because someone just threw together a deck with a few lags.

1. 
   nomad36us | Mar 31, 2004 03:24am | #8

   I agree with you on the Chicago incident.  Truly tragic and unwarranted.  Anytime we put a post bucket down we have to  either use an expandable anchor (1/2" or 5/8") commonly known around here as a red-head or epoxy a similar sized bolt.  Ironically we then nail N-10 1 1/2" stubby nails (joist hanger nails) into the post.  Don't ask me....that is what the building department wants.

3. 
   csnow | Mar 30, 2004 10:35pm | #5

   More than one way to skin a cat.

   One way is to set a long heavy galvanized lag bolt into the end of the post.  Leave the head extending out like 4 inches or so.  Drill a 4-inch deep hole in the concrete slightly larger than the lag head.  Put epoxy in the hole, and set the post.

   To avoid moisture wicking, you can place one of those plastic or metal standoff plates between the post bottom and the deck.

4. 
   Richie921 | Mar 31, 2004 03:26am | #9

   I am thinking this through as I go along so please feel free to add to it everyone.  What about a rod tensioned newel like interior stairs ofthen have  First you would have to use a hollow post instead of a 4x4.  Drill into the concrete and set a long threded rod in epoxy or cement.  Cut a dado on the iside top edge of the post to allow a square piece of wood or steel to sit recessed into the top of the post.  The piece needs to be recessed enough so the nut and washer which will follow are not proud of the top of the post and it needs a hole in the middle so the rod can slide through.  Place the post over the rod followed by the wood or steel piece and then a nut and washer.  Tightening the nut should stiffen the post and you can cut the rod and cap the post.  Any thoughts on this idea?

   Richie

5. 
   Homebuilding651 | Mar 30, 2022 05:02am | #10

   Hi, as show in picture, you can use bolt to secure the post anchor into concrete.

   https://www.hsmetalproduct.com/post-support/post-anchor/