Auger Stakes?

berm · Post by **berm** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:42 pm

Hello! I am thinking about using auger stakes for my camps shade structure.
Have any of you fine folks ever used them on the playa?
http://www.hogantentstakes.com/products/76

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:56 pm

They hold well, but they do not start easily until you get them in a bit. In my experience they just break up the surface like a drill bit unless you push down hard and turn to get the corkscrew action. Once you get them started, put a small pipe or chunk of rebar in the loop handle so you can turn easier.

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:07 pm

It hellps if someone taps the end while turning to get it started. Don't force it past its natural stopping point. You will sheer the shaft right off. If you can get it in twelve inches, that's about as far as they will go without breaking.

They hold very well and do stick out of the ground considerably. Be prepared to pad and flag them to prevent injuries.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:52 pm

Pilot a hole with a concrete drill bit, then add water into the hole before hand and you won't have any problems getting them into the playa, and the water "sets" them like concrete after it dries out..

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:43 am

I use them every year, with fine success.
There is a thread, or more here, dealing with them, where to get 'em, what size, all that info.........a search and some time will help you get there.

MyDearFriend · Post by **MyDearFriend** » Fri May 13, 2011 9:43 am

Y'all keep on raising the bar on me like this and I am liable to succumb to despair.

auhhhhger stakes... stakes in my heart... I have almost got my hands on some daggone 2-foot rebar now too...

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri May 13, 2011 10:08 am

despair not!!!!
rebar stakes will work just fine.
Auger stakes will work just fine.
whichever you choose (ford or chevy), IPBA.

I'd also submit 2' rebar stakes are pretty long......with a nice tie loop or end welded on, and driven flush, I'd think 18" would be enough, for anyone...........no, really...........

Post by **Savannah** » Fri May 13, 2011 11:03 am

Y'all keep on raising the bar on me like this and I am liable to succumb to despair.

MyDearFriend, auger stakes are not necessary, just an option. I have had excellent luck with regular 10 inch tent stakes w/ t-shaped heads, which I pound flush and remove with a wrecking bar for greater ease, and 18"-24" straight rebar for the shade structure (topped by tennis balls).

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Fri May 13, 2011 11:51 am

Any self-respecting burner would use a Barbie head to top off their rebar instead of a tennis ball.

Post by **Savannah** » Fri May 13, 2011 12:02 pm

My few Barbies are precious. Can't.

(When I found a tan, brunette barbie with a ripply ponytail and bangs, I about died. I'd been waiting for it all my life.)

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Fri May 13, 2011 12:08 pm

I had four or five just like that. Then I set them on fire.

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:19 pm

For actual tens stakes, I use 12" galvanized nails. The cork-screw type dog stakes and the subject stakes of this thread are used for our guy lines.

MyDearFriend · Post by **MyDearFriend** » Fri May 13, 2011 7:33 pm

Dr. Pyro wrote:Any self-respecting burner would use a Barbie head to top off their rebar instead of a tennis ball.

What a great idea!

Actually I'm thinking a whole bouquet of Barbies, strapped to a solar light and firmly tied to a stake... yeah I finally got some daggone rebar! No more whining about augers, I promise.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:36 am

Just remember, these are not to be confused with auger steaks, which come from steers raised to have entrails that can predict the future when properly killed and butchered.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:52 am

I hear Austins steaks are pretty good too.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat May 14, 2011 8:08 am

oneeyeddick wrote:I hear Austins steaks are pretty good too.

Hey!!!!

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sat May 14, 2011 9:02 am

Auger snakes only eat 6ft tall, 6 eyed chernobyl rats!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed May 18, 2011 10:40 pm

Depends on what your holding down. A canopy is best secured with t-posts, taped to each leg. A large tent, auger stakes should work, if you can drive them...read above. A simple 18" steel stake would work. The trick is knowing how to pull them. A round steel stake, use vice grips and twist it out. NEVER use U-posts!