CEMENT AND CONCRETE FENCE POSTS. 7 



In making poured posts in these molds exactly the same pro- 

 cess is followed as with tamped posts in molds of the first class just 

 described : with the exception that the mixture is not tamped and 

 greater care must be exercised in preventing the reinforcement from 

 being misplaced. 



Some forms of wood molds are made and used for the purpose 

 of making poured posts only. Any desired form may be given to 

 the post by properly shaping the mold. This point, in favor of the 

 wood mold, is an extremely important one, as it permits the post to 

 be made of uniform size from the bottom to the ground line, but 

 with a rapid taper from this point to the top. Then too, the sides 

 of the mold may be removed after 24 hours and used again in con- 

 nection with other pallettes; while the post which has not yet be- 

 come sufficiently strong to be removed from the pallette lies un- 

 molested in its original place until it is ready to move. 



Molds which may be used for making either the tamped or the 

 poured posts are much the same as the wooden molds for poured 

 posts, except that they are stronger. The heavy, cast-iron molds 

 could be used in making the poured posts as w^ell as the tamped 

 ones, but their original cost make them impracticable. The wooden 

 molds serve the purpose equally well and are much cheaper. 



Selecting the Mold. The most important point to be con- 

 sidered in selecting the mold is the shape and size of it. Next 

 to the shape and size we should look for ease of operation. The 

 simple mold almost always proves to be the best, providing it has 

 sufficient strength. 



Care of Molds -Before the- molds are used they should 

 be w r ell coated with some kind of heavy oil. Crude petroleum is 

 perhaps the best and cheapest material for this purpose. In case 

 the petroleum cannot be obtained, a good oily mixture may be made 

 by stirring about two pounds of axle grease into a gallon of gaso- 

 line. This mixture is applied to the molds with a brush. The 

 gasoline evaporates, leaving a thin coat of axle grease spread over 

 the entire surface of the mold. This oily mixture should be ap- 

 plied to the outside as well as the inside of the mold, which makes 

 it impossible for any of the material to cling to it. With the iron 

 molds, the oil prevents rusting. In case the molds are made of 

 wood, the oil helps to keep out the moisture, thus preventing shrink- 

 ing and swelling, and also making them easier to keep clean. 



As soon as the mold is removed from the post all material 

 sticking to it should be scraped off and the inside surface covered 

 with a thin coating of oil. Great care should be taken not to allow 

 the molds to become bruised or dented. If the molds are not to be 

 used for a time, they should be thoroughly scraped and oiled, inside 

 and out, and carefully laid away. 



