Securing a clothesline

[Howard]

One pulley is hooked up to a 4x4 wooden post cast in concrete, but there isn't really a great spot to mount the other pulley. I was thinking of casting some 2" square tubing into some Sonotube (above-ground, not in), but I'm not sure if the concrete base would start tilting from the tension. I know wider would be better - would a 16" Sonotube 3' tall be enough to support the tubing?

 

[0roo0roo]

you would need some very large sonotube diameter to keep a pole from tipping.. i don't think 16" is enough. if you must build above ground i'd suggest making a wood form for concrete yourself so you can make it as wide as necessary. clothes line tension is more than one thinks, esp if you don't want a horrible sag in the middle...wet clothes are heavy! but unless you can't dig at all, sonotube+hole is the better solution..less of an eye sore....and less dangerous tripping hazard etc

 

[Squisher]

I would think a 16" tube 8" tall would be more than enough. Going up 3' would make it more top heavy and picking up that 1000 lb. hunk of concrete after it fell over might ruin your day.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I would think a 16" tube 8" tall would be more than enough. Going up 3' would make it more top heavy and picking up that 1000 lb. hunk of concrete after it fell over might ruin your day.

8" seems a little light. I'm going to use a long machine screw or threaded rod to tension the line and I really don't want the tube to give.

 

[Rubycon]

Use a counter-guy at 45 degrees on a tensioner and pole sidethrust resistance becomes a non issue for any kind of laundry duties!

 

[OUCaptain]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Use a counter-guy at 45 degrees on a tensioner and pole sidethrust resistance becomes a non issue for any kind of laundry duties!

But then there is one more thing to mow around. Why not just sink another wood post in concrete?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: OUCaptain

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Use a counter-guy at 45 degrees on a tensioner and pole sidethrust resistance becomes a non issue for any kind of laundry duties!

But then there is one more thing to mow around. Why not just sink another wood post in concrete?

I don't want to remove any concrete pavers.

 

[OUCaptain]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: OUCaptain

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Use a counter-guy at 45 degrees on a tensioner and pole sidethrust resistance becomes a non issue for any kind of laundry duties!

But then there is one more thing to mow around. Why not just sink another wood post in concrete?

I don't want to remove any concrete pavers.

Because of looks or too much work? You could cut the corner of one paver to wrap around the post. Set the post as normal only make sure the concrete stays below ground level so you can put the paver back.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: OUCaptain

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: OUCaptain

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Use a counter-guy at 45 degrees on a tensioner and pole sidethrust resistance becomes a non issue for any kind of laundry duties!

But then there is one more thing to mow around. Why not just sink another wood post in concrete?

I don't want to remove any concrete pavers.

Because of looks or too much work? You could cut the corner of one paver to wrap around the post. Set the post as normal only make sure the concrete stays below ground level so you can put the paver back.

Too much work.

 

[OUCaptain]

Lazy ass

 

[DrPizza]

Why not get a couple 20 foot sections of 1/2 inch steel tubing, and get 5 of those clear 8 foot fluorescent light plastic tubes (the tubes that protect the lights.) Alternatively, prime the entire outside of the pipe with some sort of rustoleum or other product that will inhibit any rust from forming.

Just make some sort of clever support at one end. The entire thing would be easy to remove and stick in the garage whenever you wanted it out of the way.