The Simpson Strong-Tie PB66 Non-Standoff Post Base is a cast-in-place post base for connecting a nominal 6x6 wood post to concrete in decks, patio covers, and other top-supported structures. This is a post base designed for fastening wood to concrete or masonry. Model Number: PB66. If you are pouring concrete and want the post connection built into the pour instead of added later, this is the style you use.

What makes the PB66 matter is that it is meant to be embedded in wet concrete after the pour and finished flush with the concrete surface. That gives you a direct, purpose-built connection point for the post without needing a separate standoff bracket anchored later. For new construction where the concrete work and framing are being planned together, that can simplify the sequence and give you a cleaner finished look at the base of the post.

The connector is made from 12-gauge steel with a G90 zinc galvanized finish. In practical terms, that means you are getting a structural steel connector with standard corrosion protection for typical applications. The embossed seat is there for a reason: it increases strength in the base area where loads are concentrated. Simpson also adds stress-relief holes under the base to help resist tearing during loading, which is one of those details you do not always notice until you compare connector designs side by side.

For sizing, the PB66 is built for a nominal 6x6 post and uses a 5-1/2 inch width and 5-1/4 inch length. That fit matters because a sloppy post base fit can create extra movement during layout and fastening. This one is designed around the post size it is meant to carry, so you are not forcing a near-fit connector into structural work where alignment counts.

Installation flexibility is another practical advantage of the PB66. Simpson specifies that this model can be installed with either 0.162 inch x 3-1/2 inch nails or 1/2 inch bolts. That gives you options depending on the job, the inspection requirements, and the hardware plan. The installation notes also call for a 2 inch minimum side cover to achieve full load, which is an important detail when you are laying out piers or edge distances before the pour.

There is one limitation worth stating clearly because it affects application choice. Post bases in this series do not provide adequate resistance to keep members from rotating about the base, so they are not recommended for non-top-supported installations such as fences or unbraced carports. In other words, this is the right connector when the structure above ties everything together. It is not the right fix when the post has to resist rotation on its own.

The PB series is aimed at builders, deck crews, general contractors, and serious DIY users working on properly supported exterior structures. If you are setting 6x6 posts for a deck, patio cover, or similar framed assembly and want a cast-in-place wood-to-concrete post connection from a trusted structural hardware brand, the PB66 is a straightforward, job-proven option.

Simpson Strong-Tie PB66 Non-Standoff Post Base for Planned Concrete Work

If you are pouring new concrete for 6x6 posts, this is the kind of connector that keeps the job clean and straightforward.

• Who it's for: Builders and homeowners setting 6x6 posts for decks, patio covers, and similar framed structures that are supported at the top.
• Why it stands out: It is a simple cast-in-place design with the right structural details, including an embossed seat for added strength and stress-relief holes to resist tearing.
• Worth knowing: The PB66 installs flush and works well when planned into the pour, but it is not meant for free-standing applications where post rotation has to be resisted at the base.

• What size post is the PB66 made for? It is sized for a nominal 6 x 6 wood post.
• Can this post base be used in existing cured concrete? No. The PB66 is designed to embed in wet concrete after the pour.
• What fasteners does the PB66 use at the post? Simpson lists either 0.162 inch x 3-1/2 inch nails or 1/2 inch bolts for the PB66.
• Can I use it for a fence or other unsupported post? It is not recommended for non-top-supported installations because the base does not provide adequate resistance to prevent rotation about the base.