Fence building question

sandel · Oct 2, 2018

Have built a fair amount of fence over last 50 years but have to reluctantly admit I still struggle to get all wires tensioned equally. Seems like one or two always wind up looser than the rest. Curious about practices that improve this. For instance is it best to start stretching from top or bottom first? What else? Thanks.

MJMJ · Oct 2, 2018

(quoted from post at 10:57:53 10/02/18) Have built a fair amount of fence over last 50 years but have to reluctantly admit I still struggle to get all wires tensioned equally. Seems like one or two always wind up looser than the rest. Curious about practices that improve this. For instance is it best to start stretching from top or bottom first? What else? Thanks.

Most important part, by far, is good solid corners.
After that, starting at the top works best. Adding tensioners or ratchets works also but gets expensive if your fence is broke up into numerous sections.

Gary Mitchell · Oct 2, 2018

Start at the top and work your way down. There's way more leverage with the top wire due to the length of the post from the ground. Good solid corners are necessary. gm

Part Time Pete · Oct 2, 2018

Wire will also change length based on temperature, so I put a spring and ratchet in each straight section
Pete

westga · Oct 2, 2018

I mostly work with barb wire, 5 stands. I pull the top 3 strans and get them like i want and hang them about every 8th post. Then pull bottom 2 strans. Pull from corner post to corner post, not corner post to tractor.

ericlb · Oct 2, 2018

if your using only t posts its very hard to get it tensioned if not impossible, i use a wood H post on each end of a straight section if only doing say 500 foot straight, or at every change in direction, hang the wires loosely on every 4th or so post loosely so they can slide when you make your pull, and start with the top wire,if your only using t posts i have crippled up some to serve as anchor posts by driving the main post, then drive 2 more at right angles, then drill and bolt the tops to the main post, if a welder isnt available , it helps, but its not as good as a buried H setup

Fence building question

sandel

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MJMJ

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Gary Mitchell

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Part Time Pete

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westga

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ericlb

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