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| BUILD THE
END BRACES |
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Note:
these instructions are for wood end braces.
See
here for metal end brace instructions |
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| A) |
Measure and cut cross-member |
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Measure and cut the cross-member
so it will fit between the tops of the brace posts.
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| B) |
Figure height of cross-member |
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Measure the fence wire
from the bottom wire up to midway between
the 2nd and 3rd wire from the top. Record
this measurement
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Measure
height to set the cross member |
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| C) |
Determine brace pin placement |
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| Measure
up the inside of the end post and the
brace post and mark each post with the
length that was recorded at step B)
above. If you are not setting the bottom
of the wire at ground level, be sure
to add the extra height off the ground
to this measurement. This measurement
will place the cross-member between
the 2nd and 3rd line wire of the fence,
making it easier to tie off. |
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Brace
Pins: 1) 4"L x 1/2"
diam
2) 10" L x 1/2" diam |
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Mark
your measurement from step B) on the
inside surfaces of the brace and end
post |
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| D) |
Set the brace pins in the
posts |
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Use a drill bit that is
the same diameter as the brace pins. Mark
a 2” depth on the bit and drill a 2”
hole on your mark in the end post. Drill a
hole completely through the brace post.
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Drive a 10” x 1/2” brace pin in
the brace post from the outside of the brace
until it is flush with the inside of the brace.
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Drive
brace pin into post |
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Drive
brace pin through post until flush |
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Now drive the shorter 4”x1/2”
brace pin into the end post, leaving 2”
exposed.
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| E) |
Set the cross-member into
position |
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If you are using a wood
cross-member, drill a pilot hole in the center
of both end faces.
Note: Never
use milled lumber for cross-members, as they
will warp. Place one end of the cross-member
over the 4” pin on the end post, then
move the other end into position. Level the
cross-member and center on the post.
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Cross
member on pin before final positioning |
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Drive the 10” brace pin into the cross-member,
leaving 1” exposed on the outside of
the brace. The protruding end of the brace
pin will hold the brace wire in place.
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Tap
the brace pin in to hold cross-member |
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| F) |
Set the brace with the brace
wire |
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Drive a barbed staple
into the outside of the end post about
2” above the ground. Leave about
3/8” of the staple exposed so
the brace wire can be passed under the
staple. Place two buffer staples into
the staple driven into the post as shown.
These will stop the wire from digging
into the post and allow the wire to
slide freely when it is tightened.
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Place
the staples on which the wire
will rest |
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Measure two wraps of high-tensile 12.5
gauge wire. Pass the wire under the
staple and over the exposed brace pin
as shown.
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Wire
passing under the end post staple
but over the buffer staple |
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Wire
passing under the end post staple
but over the buffer staple |
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| G) |
Attach an inline strainer
to the brace wire |
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Place a crimp sleeve on
the brace wire. Loop the wire through the
hole in the inline strainer, and then pass
the wire back into the crimp sleeve. Crimp
the crimp-sleeve to lock the wire and in-line
strainer in place.
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Put
the crimp sleeve on the wire before
looping through inline strainer |
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Loop
the wire back into the sleeve, and
crimp |
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Position the strainer about two-thirds as
high as the brace, on the opposite side from
the fence fabric.
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Use
the strainer handle to ratchet the
inline strainer center spool |
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Make sure that the wire is not crossed at
the pin or the staple before tightening the
brace wire completely. Continue to tighten
the strainer and periodically equalize the
brace wire by pulling it sideways a couple
of times.
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Pull
the wire sideways to equalize the
tension on both sides |
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Ratchet
the inline strainer until the brace
has moved 1/4" in the soil |
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Tighten the brace wire until the brace post
is pulled about a quarter-inch toward the
end post. At that point the wire will be very
tight, and your brace will be ready to use.
Note:
If the posts are set in concrete, allow the
concrete to set for at least two days before
pulling on the brace post.
Note:
You can build a brace by tensioning the brace
wire with the RE-560 smooth wire puller. Once
you have tightened the wire, splice it with
a splicing sleeve to hold it fast. The disadvantage
of this method is that you won’t be
able to easily re-tighten the brace if the
posts move slightly.
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| CONSTRUCTING
A STEEL POST END BRACE |
Weld or clamp the brace
together. The cross-member should be located
between the first and second line wire on
short fences and the second and third line
wires on tall fences measured as shown in
Step B) above.
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Welding
a steel post end brace |
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Treat the welds with cold galvanization for
added life |
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