RESOURCES - BUILD A CHAIN LINK BARBWIRE FENCE

Equipment:  2ea. come-a-longs, pliers, bolt cutters, chop saw or hand saw, wire rake for the appropriate height wire, speed wrench with ½” socket, barb wire dog, T-bar, and hammer.

Key Question: How do I install barbwire?

How do I install barbwire?

Barbwire, in contrast to tension wire, is crafted from mild steel components. The spring-like quality of barbwire is generated by the twisting of two 12 ½ gauge wires around each other, completing five turns per foot. When the wire is stretched, the twists bind together, creating the spring-like effect. As with tension wire, caution should be exercised when releasing the barbwire roll. Once again, it may have a strong inclination to unravel and tangle, so keep it firmly in your grip. Barbwire is equipped with either two-point or four-point barbs, spaced 4" or 5" apart, respectively. As a result, it has a significant ability to cut and cause harm. To ensure safety, wear protective gloves and eyewear and always maintain control over the materials.

1. Before proceeding with the installation of barbwire arms during fence stretching, make sure to determine whether the barbwire should be installed inwards, outwards, or vertically. If this information is not available in your plans, specifications or proposal, obtain it first.
2. Install three end bands on each terminal post, evenly spaced and with the ears facing down the fence line. Tighten the bands.
3. Locate the spool at the far end of the stretch, cut the banding, and use a stationary barbwire spooler or walk along the fence line to spool-out the barbwire as you pull it.
4. Slowly pull the barbwire along the inside of the fence line to the other terminal post.
5. Use pliers to bend a six-inch section of barbwire around the nut and bolt in the end band. Start with the lower end band, wrap the wire tightly around itself at least four times, and avoid leaving loose loops that may unravel when tension is applied. Cut away any excess wire.
6. Estimate the required amount of wire to complete the stretch by pulling the spool past the terminal post at the other end of the stretch, then cut the wire.
7. Pull the barbwire taut by hand along the fence line and place your wire dog approximately ten feet from the terminal post.
8. Position the cable end of your come-a-long above the end band on the terminal post and wrap it around.
9. Insert the fixed end of the come-a-long into the wire dog's eye.
10. Keep the cable under constant tension while cranking the come-a-long until the barbwire is taut.
11. It's common to stretch barbwire too tightly. Expect a significant amount of wire sag between the terminal posts when stretching the wire.
12. Cut the barbwire and fasten it to the end band before releasing the come-a-long.
13. Use fence pliers to carefully twist the wire at each barbwire arm to align it with the angled slot. Be cautious not to over-twist the wire and cause it to pop-out.
14. Repeat the above steps for the remaining two stretches.

When stretching short stretches, use a T-bar in lieu of a come-a-long and wire dog. 

1. Pull the wire until it's taut and past the terminal post.
2. Leave a one-foot tail and cut the wire.
3. Thread the wire through the top of the end band and then down through the hole in the T-bar located on the bottom side of the end band.
4. Twist the T-bar in a way that the initial turn pulls the wire towards the terminal post. Keep twisting until the wire is tight.
5. Once the wire is tight, turn the T-bar in the opposite direction for one complete turn to wrap the fabric around the bolt. This will cause the wire to spin off the T-bar, allowing you to cut a 6-inch tail. Be careful not to turn too far or pull the T-bar down, as this could loosen the wire by un-creasing the end band.
6. Cut the wire and wrap it around.