I'd like to put some 4"x4" by 3 ft fence posts on some sort of mount over small concrete pads. That way my posts wouldn't rot so quickly on the bottom. (I want to replace a fence with about 30 buried cedar posts that are deteriorating - due to the warm climate or the lumberyard not having the right kind of cedar?) Most of the inexpensive post mounts at the hardware stores say they are not recommended for use with posts that are not supported at the top. The mounts that are recommended for fence posts have big U-shaped sides that fit around the post. However, this type of mount is very expensive. Is there an inexpensive option for setting the posts?


I've though about cutting lengths of pipe, boring a long hole in the bottom of the post to insert the pipe and setting the pipe in concrete. (Would that work? Is it practical to bore big holes?)