Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Jun 16, 2009
When you need to securely fasten welded or woven wire fence to wood posts, use a fence staple. Staples are slice cut and have plenty of holding power. The sharp points make them easy to drive into the wood. Fence staples are made from galvanized wire. This gives them good protection from rust. They are available in six lengths or sizes: 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4" and 2".
The 3/4" staples are formed from 14 gauge galvanized wire. These are recommended for lighter gauge wire meshes, such as 20 gauge hexagonal chicken wire, 23 gauge 1/4"x1/4" mesh and 19 gauge 1/2"x1/2" mesh. They have a 3/16" spread at the shoulders.
1" through 2" staples are made with heavier 9 gauge galvanized
wire. You can use these to hold the heavier gauge meshes - deer fence, field fence, horse fence, vinyl coated welded wire etc. The spread at the shoulders is 1/4". A longer length will give you more holding power.
Approximate quantities per pound:
- 3/4" - 350
- 1" - 100
- 1-1/4" - 80
- 1-1/2" - 70
- 1-3/4" - 60
- 2" - 50
Galvanized fence staples are not recommended for holding plastic meshes. The staple can cut into and even through the mesh if driven too far. And if the mesh is free to rub against the staple, the staple can chafe through the mesh, ultimately breaking it. A batten works best for securing plastic fence and meshes to a wood post.
Posted by Frank Langone on Tue, Apr 07, 2009
The following guidelines can help you install your wire fence.
Planning:
- Determine the kind of fence you will need, based on the requirements of the application - the purposes and needs of your particular situation.
- You can choose from a wide variety of fences and meshes.
- Different heights, size and spacing of mesh openings, finishes and gauges of wire fence are available to fit every use.
- Establish where the corners and ends of the fence are to be located.
- Calculate the amount of fence and posts (end, corner and line posts) needed for the job. Don't forget to add any gates that are required to complete the project.
- Wood or studded T posts can be used to hang the fence.
- Figure line post spacing at 8 to 10 feet apart.
Installing:
- Fence posts
- Make sure end, corner and gate posts are placed deeper in the ground than line posts for more holding power. Corners and ends may need bracing, depending on the type of fence used.
- Be sure to tamp and level wood posts before moving on to the next step.
- T posts can be driven into the ground using a manual post driver with handles. The driver eliminates the potentially dangerous use of an unwieldy sledge hammer.
- Attaching fence to posts
- Wood posts - galvanized slice-cut staples can be used.
These are available in 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4" and 2" sizes. - Studded T posts - metal clips are provided with each post to securely hold the fence.
- Stretching the fence - the appropriate amount of tension depends on which mesh is used. Woven wire fencing, especially high-tension field and deer fences, requires a lot more tension than welded wire fences.