Mounting/stake recommendations

[rlevy]

I ordered the CPC mega pack and would appreciate recommendations from the community for what types of stakes or other mounting work well for the mini trees, arches, and pixel stakes.

 

Thanks!

[dgander]

Anything that I have that uses PVC pipe as the substrate I use #4 rebar. It goes into the ground easily and you can get it in different lengths to match your need. I also go the extra step of painting it for the depth I need for it to go which gives it a little more protection from rust (though you don't really have to) and tells me how far to pound it into the ground. I also paint high visability color at the tip so you can see it easily while you are doing setup.

[k6ccc]

Yep, 1/2 inch (#4) rebar works well for lots of purposes.

===== >>>>  Jim's rebar safety warning  <<<< =====

Once you put in a vertical piece of rebar IMMEDIATELY put a proper rebar safety cap on it unless you immediately cover the rebar with your prop.  Falling onto a vertical rebar can do massive damage to you.

Vertical cap:    https://www.homedepot.com/p/PrimeSource-Osha-Steel-Reinforced-Rebar-Cap-CAPOSHAEAR/100323493

Horizontal cap:   https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bon-Tool-Mushroom-Rebar-Cap-82-179/305923309

The horizontal caps are NOT suitable for vertical fall protection.

Please take this warning seriously - I am alive because the rebar that I fell onto was capped (because of where the injury would have been, I would have bled out before the paramedics could have gotten out the fire station door).  All I ended up with was a bruise.

.

[dgander]

Yes safety is key. I don't put any rebar until I am ready to use it. Even for the sort period of time it's easy to lose track of it and trip over it. Also, I don't install rebar after 30 min before sunset. It's too easy to get caught up in something else and forget you have one sticking up after dark, cap or no cap. It needs to be covered by your prop before dark 

[rlevy]

Rebar seems reasonable for the 8 arches and 8 mini-trees.
 

I’ve got 40 pixel stakes though, about 8” tall.  Getting rebar for each of those seems like it might be overkill and also kinda expensive.  Other suggestions for the pixel stakes?

[k6ccc]

Yea, rebar would be massive overkill for pixel stakes!  Try these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-8-in-Anchoring-Landscape-Spike-Pack-24-Count-1985-24HD-16/302766747

Lots of other similar products...

 

Edited November 19, 2022 by k6ccc

[dgander]

I don't have pixel stakes so not sure of the weight needed but I do use metal shish kabob skewers a lot to anchor light strings and for my luminaries. They are long, hold up well and have a nice loop on them to use zipties on them and to pull them up easily at the end of the season. With Florida sand I have to have longer stakes and these do well. The price on Amazon is way over priced right now, I only paid $10 for the set back then. Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, AtHome all usually sell them in packs of 4 usually fairly cheap.

https://a.co/d/9aW75FR

[dgander]

Sorry, I forgot to add I use the square type, not the flat type. The flat are too flimsy. You need a good thick square stake. There seem to be other brands on amazon that have a more reasonable price.