Help installing a wire welded fence?

[moodusnewchick]

Hi,
I just bought wire welded fencing and need some tips on installation. I was at home depot. Do I want t-rods or u-rods? should i use wood instead? Are there any special tools I need for installation? When people talk about burying fencing a few feet, are you simply shoveling a line? thank you so much!

 

[Stumpy]

I'd recommend the following:

needle-nose pliers
slip-joint pliers
hammer
fence staples
gloves
post driver

If you are building a fence, borrow one of the post drivers if you can. It's sometimes easier than using a sledge hammer to drive the metal posts into the ground. We've always used t-posts with some little v-shaped soft galvanized wire things (pieces of hardware) that go around the posts and catch the wire on each side of the post. I may not be making that very clear. For corner posts, it's nice to use large wooden posts for stability. For installing to these, use the u-shape fence staples and a hammer. Using pliers to hold the short staples in place makes them easier to hammer in. Also if you will hammer (just tap) the sharp ends of the staple together a little bit, they will go in easier (changing them from more of a v-shape to a u-shape).

I am sure someone more experienced will chime in.

 

[smom1976]

doh.... why didnt I think of pliers to hold the staples?? my poor thumb and fore finger is so sore..

 

[rufus]

And about that post driver, those handles on it are for carrying it more than driving it. You do better to lift the driver and let it's weight and gravity do the work. It will eat up your hands otherwise.

You also need to stretch the wire. Make a stretcher out of two 2x4's bolted together over the wire. Then use your come along to tighten the wire. Winch it up tight using a pick up or tree or something solid. No floppy wire allowed, make it tight.

Good luck.

Rufus

 

[moodusnewchick]

wow, thank you all!

 

[ivan3]

I'd just add that a small pair of bolt cutters shortens the job considerably (if you're cutting a lot of sections from roll). If using steel posts and expect to expand/alter run, heavy duty UV resistant cable ties can be used to secure fencing to posts.

 

[Stumpy]

Quote:
Don't feel bad. It comes from those sore fingers -- every time we moved, we had to build a fence for our dogs.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

Long sleeved shirt, jeans and gloves. No matter how hot and humid it is.

We just fenced the back yard. Did it over 2 weekends. Last weekend I was silly and wore shorts, a short sleeved shirt and no gloves. I have cuts on my arms, legs(cant shave em for a while :|) and got a piece of metal from the wire, stuck in my hand.

But the dog and kid are happy. The chickens, when they go out in the coop will be safer. Cat however. Not so much. She cant jump over the wire. Which means neither will the neighborhood cats

 

[GallowayFarms]

I like this site for instructions

http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/agengin/g01192.htm

Also the make fencing pliers. They are made to hold the "U" shaded nails. Also they are a hammer and have a crawl that is nice to help you get the nails out if you mess up.

http://www.hooverfence.com/tools/pliers-2t-1900.jpg


Good luck. Everyone above me has pretty much said what I was going to say.

Cheers

Nick