Vinyl porch columns falling over

[The Money Pit]

A few years ago I had my front porch redone in all vinyl. The guy who did it for me didn't secure the top or bottom and relied only on using the railing to keep it upright. I have a good idea on how to secure them myself but I need someone to fabricate the brackets. The machine shops around here are all larger companies and won't touch something as small as this. Any ideas?

 

[Steevo]

Pictures?
It is hard to visualize what the heck you are talking about.

 

[Joe Reed]

I think I know what you're describing...you want some kind of bracket to attach to the porch above the columns...to fit inside the tops of the plastic columns.

If the tops are square, you don't need custom brackets. Just screw some aluminum angle to the porch and then the columns to the angle. Or....cut some blocks out of treated 2x8 (or whatever size fits) and screw that to the porch roof, then to the columns.

Choice #2 also works if the column tops are round....just have to cut a circle out of the lumber.

 

[The Money Pit]

You've got the visual. The only problem with that is the columns are round steel pipe with foam filling in the gap between the vinyl and the pipe. There's nothing to securely attach it too. I was going to have a plate fabricated that I would be able to twist a 1/4 turn to "lock" the column into place.

 

[ishiboo]

You've got the visual. The only problem with that is the columns are round steel pipe with foam filling in the gap between the vinyl and the pipe. There's nothing to securely attach it too. I was going to have a plate fabricated that I would be able to twist a 1/4 turn to "lock" the column into place.

Why not just a piece of wood in the top of the column? Those are meant to be structural, originally I'm sure there was a bracket for them

You could also just foam the top with some foam if it's just for appearance, though it's probably good to have them solidly attached.

 

[The Money Pit]

You guessed it. They had a bracket that came with it but for some reasonnnn... they weren't used. My brother's brother-in-law works at a machine shop who is willing to take a crack at it. I'm very greatful and as soon as I get some measurements I'll email him the specs and hope it works out.