Arwel Davies’ concrete post mould has won third place in the simple category of our Inventions Competition.

Fed up with rotten wooden gate posts, Arwel Davies constructed a three-section concrete post mould from sheet steel and the gentle curve of an old New Holland Double Chop forager cover.

The mould is held together by two long threaded rods and an angle iron frame that stops the middle compartment from bowing when the concrete is poured in.

Gate hinges are welded to two reinforcing bars and placed on the base of the mould, and another two bars are pushed in for strengthening.

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For the latch-side posts, four reinforcing bars are pushed in and wooden battens are used to form the slot. These are pulled out before the concrete hardens.

The posts stay in the mould for about two days, after which they can be removed and left to harden for 10 days while a new batch is made. 

Mr Davies admits that the greatest challenge when making the posts is finding a suitably flat spot in the yard.