The CampFire

[Hank Dodge]

After our little break in, it has me thinking more about parameter security. That house sits on five acres of basically undeveloped land consisting mostly of scrub and pinion pines. I'm thinking about putting up a fence to define the property lines and discourage trespassers from just wandering in. What do you folks think about a simple 3-strand barbed wire fence? Do you think that would be worth while doing? I'm trying to keep cost down as best I can. I figured that I could just set T-posts every 10 feet or so and run the wire. That sounded like about the most economical way to run a fence with the least amount of effort over uneven ground. Am I on the right track here?
_________________
DCMG #3

"Shoot them big guns.....you can see the holes better!"

[weaver]

I would use a big treated post at each corner and anyplace that was not in a direct line. The t-posts do tend to sway and sag over time.

If all you want to do is mark the line that will work, if you want to keep stray animals out and slow people down I'd go 5 wire.

[riverdog]

I maintain 1 1/2 miles of fence and appreciate every foot of it. It keeps out neighbor's livestock, but has also proven to deter hunters/poachers etc. Keeping it looking functional seems to give it some authority. I think it would help your situation somewhat, although anyone intent on breaking in will not see it as much of a barrier. I would at least post the corners and might put a beware of dog sign at the entrance, dog or not. That has had its benefits for me.

If you are just using single strands of barbwire, I don't suppose you need deadman supported corners, although I would set them in concrete.
_________________
"The shallow-minded modern who has lost his rootage in the land assumes that he has already discovered what is important." Aldo Leopold

[Quill]

Corner post to anchor everything tight. Halfway between posts wire your strands together or hook a stick to all strands at once. This will strengthen the sections and make it hard to move the wire up or down for easy crawling through or under.

[Sandman]

I don't even want to remember how many miles of 4 strand barb wire I've strung or rode along repairing as I went.
That said, 4 strand keeps out unwanted livestock (or in), as well as deterring trespassers. Not as well as a 5 strand, but cheaper. I always used a three post with crossbars set up on the corners. Cedar posts, cut as close to the job as possible. I'll have to find a picture and post it to show you. They make a twisted heavy gauge wire that works great between posts to hold the wire, like Quill suggested. Also, you need to try to tension every wire as much the same as possible.
T-posts work, but need to be checked every season, as they will loosen up and try to fall over, and they are easier to remove the wire from the post. Cedar posts with wire staples holds the wire better. Most of the fence on the ranch I worked was cedar post, which needs replaced every few years.
Let me see if I can dig up some of the pics I have.
Also consider placing a "No Trespassing" sign every 100 ft. or even less. Makes arrests and prosecution easier.
_________________
OIF 2005-2006
OIF 2008-2009

For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

[Sandman]

Can't find pics, but I can do a simple drawing in paint:


You can also add a twisted wire to the top, just above the top brace, to make the set-up stronger.
_________________
OIF 2005-2006
OIF 2008-2009

For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

[riverdog]

[nancy1340]

[Conservative]

I don't think a 3 wire fence will keep out much of anything unless it is electric. A livestock fence charger is relatively inexpensive and allows you to put up a cheaper fence that works well.

For a situation similar to what you mention I put up a 5 wire fence with wires #1, 3, 5 electrified and #2 & 4 grounded. One very drunk fellow couldn't find the gate so he grabbed wires 3 and 4 spread them apart and wiggled through. Drunks don't seem to be bothered by an electric fence but nobody sober will come through it without a few yelps.

Electric or not I would choose at least a 5 wire fence. If you want a electrified fence with fewer hassles electrify only the top wire. That will greatly reduce the number of shorts you have to deal with.

Stretch the wire tight with either a come-a-long or a fence wire stretcher.

Install bracing as Sandman detailed using his optional top wire.

Do not underestimate the strain on the corner posts They must be securely braced. Make certain you do a good job analyzing the stresses on them or the fence will get loose in short order. Corners are the worst place to cut corners.

Cedar is better than juniper, but the best wood posts are either black locust or osage orange. Cement posts are good too. I like them because they never rot or rust and termites don't touch them. When I rebuild or fence next time I want to use cement posts.

If you use high tensile fencing you don't have to dig nearly as many post holes. Just stabilize the wires with stringers between posts.

A well built fence is relatively hassle free. Cut corners when you build it and you will forever be patching it up. A boundary fence is something that you can reasonably expect to be a permanent fixture so build it to last.
_________________
Politics: poly=many & tics blood sucking insects.

There are two kinds of games. Chess and everything else.

[Hank Dodge]

Well, I'm into it with corners marked and strings pulled. What a pain it was clearing underbrush and removing trees etc. to get a straight string line from point to point. Two days walking the line with a troublesome chain saw has got us to the point of placing posts. I'll run to town tomorrow and buy what T-posts I think I need. It's looking good. Just need to set the posts and string the wire......right?
_________________
DCMG #3

"Shoot them big guns.....you can see the holes better!"

[Boondocks]

Hank, Sandman's picture is pretty good except that he left out the dead man on each side. If there's exceptional strain on the fence, you might want to put a dead man on the center post. That is usually done if the center post is a corner post or the angle post > at the point of the angle. The dead man is a Tucumcari rock buried 3' deep at about 2' away with a little trench over to the side post. THEN wrap the cross-brace wire around the bottom of the side post BEFORE crossing it over to the top of the center post and wrapping the wire around that. Repeat the same process for the opposite side. THEN let every one of the 3-post contraptions set for no less than 3 weeks! Meanwhile, set your line posts (these must be heavy-duty good steel T-posts). After 3 weeks the corner posts with their bracers & side posts should be ready to run your bob-wire.

Fence stays are absolutely necessary to keep wire from sagging between posts and go a long way toward discouraging folks from tryin' to crawl through bob-wire--especially if you go 4-strand. Even elk generally respect this kind of fence. Those that don't learn mighty quick it isn't pleasant to get your crown jewels hung up on the top wire with your rear hanging on the other side just cuz you didn't jump high enough.

I guarantee you'll cuss every mile of this fence you put in; you & wife might not be on speakin terms; the dog will hate you; and the weather won't cooperate either! But once done, you will absolutely LOVE that fence since it's guaranteed to be almost maintenance free.

This is the way they built fences 50 years ago or more and those buggers are still standing--- with no maintenance.
_________________
Boondocks
"There are more things in Heaven and Earth than man can imagine."

[Hank Dodge]

I've got all the T-posts set at this point. I cross braced the corners with tension wires and at about every 100' on the run as well. I've got a bit more to clear before the wire goes on. At this point it will be a three wire fence with stays between posts. I'll probably make it into a five wire at some point down the road. This should at least define my property and keep the casual trespassers at bay.
_________________
DCMG #3

"Shoot them big guns.....you can see the holes better!"