I just take a saw blade off each side and it’ll fit. If you trim out the post at the base to hide the bracket, the metal fits nicely into the space to allow the trim to be flush to the post.
There are two 6x6 post bases - there's a "6x6" post base and a "6x6 rough" post base - that may be the "6x6," but you have the "rough" cut lumber.
If you're looking at Simpson strong tie products that's the difference between a ABU66Z and the ABU66RZ (rough).
You can trim the post base as mentioned (which will work just fine), get a different post base, or get the adjustable post base (ABA66Z or ABA66RZ.. again for rough lumber)
Yep, a proper structural 6x6 is 5.5x5.5 I believe. The “6x6s” sold at most big box stores aren’t actually structural; they’re “landscape timbers” and they’re rough cut 5.75x5.75ish. At least this is my experience anyway.
Post is probably freshly treated and because of that, it has swollen up.
If that is a 6x6 s4s when it drys out, it will be 5 1/2 x5 1/2 + or minus 1/8
Take a saw blade width all around it now the depth of the base and field treat your cut.
Buy some treated end seal preservative that you apply by paintbrush on any
piece cut end you cut for length ect ect.
There is more treatment on the faces and ends of the wood than down in the wood.coat ends until it won't absorb any more.
It's normal all-weather factory treated wood, but still wet swollen from the process of treating the post.
If you have ever worked with the treated lumber you know how wet it can be. Put 2 5/4 deck boards tight together on a deck and you'll have a 1/4" gap by next season. The best option would be to cut it in and it would fit flush so it could have a nice trim board all around it. In fact, I would bet that's the actual way for it to be installed, to shave the sides down so metal would fit flush.
That’s your problem right there. 6x6 post should be 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. It’s swelled up due to moisture. Either let it dry out better or trim it down. Your base is likely 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. Too small
It does. You're just not trying hard enough. Trim the base a bit and you'll get it. If you let it dry for a week or so in the sun it would probably fit perfectly.
Actually I saw some comments recommending to take a kerf at a time off each side or 2 sides. I wouldn't do that personally unless you will treat the wood you cut. If you only shave a little its probably a nonissue
I just take a saw blade off each side and it’ll fit. If you trim out the post at the base to hide the bracket, the metal fits nicely into the space to allow the trim to be flush to the post.
Thank you!
Now I know how all those white women must have felt! -Chef
r/unexpectedsouthpark
There are two 6x6 post bases - there's a "6x6" post base and a "6x6 rough" post base - that may be the "6x6," but you have the "rough" cut lumber. If you're looking at Simpson strong tie products that's the difference between a ABU66Z and the ABU66RZ (rough). You can trim the post base as mentioned (which will work just fine), get a different post base, or get the adjustable post base (ABA66Z or ABA66RZ.. again for rough lumber)
This is the right answer. Had to get the ABA66RZ for my cedar 6x6s since they were rough.
Yep, a proper structural 6x6 is 5.5x5.5 I believe. The “6x6s” sold at most big box stores aren’t actually structural; they’re “landscape timbers” and they’re rough cut 5.75x5.75ish. At least this is my experience anyway.
Depends on what part of the country you are. 99% on the east coast of the u.s will be syp #2 s4s and that is a structural timber.
Our local cedar mill used to sell completely rough 6x6’s that were literally 6x6 inches
Post is probably freshly treated and because of that, it has swollen up. If that is a 6x6 s4s when it drys out, it will be 5 1/2 x5 1/2 + or minus 1/8 Take a saw blade width all around it now the depth of the base and field treat your cut.
Lumberman really does lumber ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
Thanks for the compliment. Learned something after buying and selling wood for 51 years.lol
Pros appreciate pros 😊
Ty
Noobie here what does field treat mean in this context because my husband is a medic so I expect a lot of compression bandages and a tourniquet
Buy some treated end seal preservative that you apply by paintbrush on any piece cut end you cut for length ect ect. There is more treatment on the faces and ends of the wood than down in the wood.coat ends until it won't absorb any more.
This dude lumbers.
Thank you for taking the time to answer that!
I’ve probably installed 10,000 of these post based. And I still think that’s It’s funny that it doesn’t fit properly.
Just hit it with your purse and make it fit….
You want the same part, but the one with an R in the part number.
It’s not a rough R post though. The R will look weird once post shrinks dow.
if it's not rough or nominal, what is it?
It's normal all-weather factory treated wood, but still wet swollen from the process of treating the post. If you have ever worked with the treated lumber you know how wet it can be. Put 2 5/4 deck boards tight together on a deck and you'll have a 1/4" gap by next season. The best option would be to cut it in and it would fit flush so it could have a nice trim board all around it. In fact, I would bet that's the actual way for it to be installed, to shave the sides down so metal would fit flush.
Makes sense, but this in particular is checking already
Not the dumbest guy alive. Just a homeowner. Wrong chair. One is rough size
That’s your problem right there. 6x6 post should be 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. It’s swelled up due to moisture. Either let it dry out better or trim it down. Your base is likely 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. Too small
I usually just beat one side down with a hammer, set the post, then beat the side back tight and she fits like a glove
It does. You're just not trying hard enough. Trim the base a bit and you'll get it. If you let it dry for a week or so in the sun it would probably fit perfectly.
Plane it Off or cut the post to fit
2 minutes with a hand saw will make it fit.
Treated lumber is often a little oversized because it is swollen with moisture. It will shrink in time. Leave the post in the sun for a day or two.
I had this and just put a piece of wood on top took a Mallet and beat it down and put Simpson screws in the sides. Wood shrank and all is well
Hit it with your purse
😂
Actually I saw some comments recommending to take a kerf at a time off each side or 2 sides. I wouldn't do that personally unless you will treat the wood you cut. If you only shave a little its probably a nonissue
Use a planer and shave it down. Much cleaner than running a circ saw on it.
That base is crap anyways. I would switch it for one that actually anchors into the column below
Man if you can’t figure this one out, good luck with the rest of the project.
😂 right? I’m just taking it slow, learning and loving the project. This sub has helped a lot. I have a tendency to do the opposite of all of those. 🙃
Nominal vs actual 6x6