How to Fasten a Cast Iron Ball to a Fence Post

Some fence posts are purely utilitarian, while others are decorative and intended to impress. Affixing a cast iron ball to a fence post definitely puts it into the latter category. Cast iron balls evoke sentiments of earlier times when things were built to last, and having one sitting on top of your fence post can transform the post into an imposing statement of permanence. Cast iron balls should be very sturdily attached to whatever they are sitting on, for safety reasons and to minimize the risk of theft.

Things You'll Need

Hacksaw
Insulated pliers
Welder
Length of chain

Measuring tape
Drill
Drill bits
Padlock

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the end link of the chain in half with a hacksaw. This will leave you with a U-shaped piece of chain at the end. Hold the U-shaped piece against the surface of the iron ball with a pair of insulated pliers. Apply the tip of an arch welder to the point where the U-shaped piece of metal meets the surface of the iron ball until the two are welded together.
- 2
  Measure the diameter of one of the chain links. Put a drill bit that is one-sixteenth-inch wider than this measurement into a drill. Drill a hole through the center of the wood post using this bit.
- 3
  Put the chain through the hole in the post, loop it back around and padlock the end link in the chain to another link, creating a loop in the chain that goes through and around the post.

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