A Proper Barbwire H Brace

Like most of us know offenses are created equal, there’s a big difference between events that can last 50 to 70 years, and one that’ll last three or four years and you lose and useless. Hope you enjoy and hope it helped. If it does please let us know in the comments mean the world to us. Happy trails I may the Lord guide and keep you.
Luke
Barbwire fencing tricks • Barbwire fencing tricks
Secure a wire gate with a lariat Half hitch.~ • Secure a wire gate wit...

[@brandoncaldwell95]

Ah, the memories. Was just half as tall of that fence last time i was "helping". Great fun overall. I miss those old timers who i was around. Learned a lot but never learned it everything required. Definitely saving this video. Out to the field i go! Fence line clearing, wire repair and new fence construction layout. Just need an auction to pop up for old telephone poles!

[@markbaugher5815]

Back in the day, we used hedge post (Osage orange) No one could ever pound a large staple in one of those logs. They are hard as steel!

[@Chipgillette]

Glad I came across your feed. Thanks.

[@jasonshackelford5895]

Great video, to the point. Really helpful. Building a fence in Central Texas alone....haha....little difficult but videos like this sure help. Thank you!!!

[@ginaharris5774]

This was such an incredibly helpful video! Thank you

[@USNERDOC]

New subscriber. Really enjoy your content and honest hard work approach to things. This was a great video for me as we are working on a small piece of property in southern Oregon. I have lots of fence work in my future and it was nice to learn the details of constructing the foundational component ... a good solid braced corner. Thank you!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

+USNERDOC Good to have you onboard friend, very much appreciate it please keep in touch.

[@highdesertdroneservices4497]

Thank you for this video. Better than all the other videos of people using fancy expensive tools. Keep. It. Simple.

[@fomoco300k]

I agree. building fence is one of my favorite 'chores'. being outdoors, building something that will last decades... generations even thanks for the videos. the fencing series is especially timely since I'm replacing a bunch of it this year. some of the posts I'm replacing have been in use since the late fifties. some are still strong and tightly packed in but so dry that they won't hold a staple anymore. others that are thinner line posts are just done. either way, its time to teach my boys how to do it just the way my dad taught me and his taught him on this same piece of God's creation. thanks, Luke. Keep 'em comin'!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

+fomoco300k Thanks friend, that was encouraging to us. It’s all perspective, and you’re absolutely correct not only do you build good friends but you build good relationships with your children and spouse as well. Good to hear from you Happy fencing Luke

[@markbowden1847]

@@BacktotheBasics101 Thanks - this has helped changed my perspective on fencing - have always viewed it as a grudge chore until now..

[@bstevermer9293]

Never going to build a fence , but you did a great job. Kind of looks fun to do.

[@charlie5234]

A great video, thanks for sharing.

[@runninghammer9628]

the tools you use blows my mind i literally been getting by with fencing pliers a post pounder and a come along for repairing fence ...to build fence out at the ranch hahaha im gunna have to get some tools

[@joshblack1406]

great video. I have some horse fence projects to do on our property. I've watched alot of videos and yours are great and in such detail. thanks for posting it.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

You are very welcome I’m glad they helped, when I started ranching I sure wish someone would’ve told me what I know now. I’m still learning of course I think we all are. But sometimes suggestion here and there will help us out years in advance. Happy trails Luke

[@joshblack1406]

Back to the Basics 101 Do you have any videos on high tensile fence using t posts? . all my corner and gate posts will be wood posts but my line posts are going to be t posts. I'm pretty lost since I've never ran fence. it's going to be high tensile wire with 1 or 2 strands being hot wires. do I stretch the wire and then attach to t posts or attach to t posts and then stretch?

[@justloggit22]

50” in the ground!?! You’ve never dug a hole in NH lol. My 6” PT poles are in the ground 3’ after I coated the bottom 4’ in used Motor oil. I made an “x” pattern with my wire and seams to be really strong. I’m doing everything I can to make mine last 50 years too. Thank you for the video.

[@jimnowak3960]

That's how it's done. Great video.

[@aronsingletary]

Thanks for sharing Luke

[@IsambardKingdom]

A family friend lost a son - he fell under the brush hog while riding on the tractor mudguard just like in your intro - after many years I think about it a lot- image how the father feels!!!

[@climberalex]

Your videos are great. As a carpenter doing some side work, I appreciate your content!

[@ianomann7543]

Hi Luke, good video here. That fiskars world's best shovel is nice. I bought two of them last spring and ended up breaking the weld at the bottom of the pole on both of them by mid to late summer (I'm rough on my shovels) but fiskars kept true to there lifetime warranty and replaced them both for free! I cant complain about a tool that has a straightforward free replacement policy. I hope all is well for you and your family, God bless! -Ian

[@4dub802]

Thank for ur video they really helped me with my barbed wire fence! Deff getting that Gibbs digger tool @ 0:25!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thank you sir

[@realestateinfonet9041]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Regards!

[@zaneslater4796]

Just a different perspective. We always used pieces of 4-5" rebar, drill a hole where you want your pipe to hang and drive in the rebar then hang your pipe. Same goes for where you used Staples on your diagonal wire, for the bottom side, piece of rebar straight in sticking out an inch or two. For the top side of the diagonal wire, drive your rebar in at a 45* so it is sticking up, then you can just hook your wire on the rebar instead of having to run through a staple. If you get it tight you don't have to worry about it going anywhere.

[@eastcoastbob8135]

Thank you for your biblical references. You make the rest of us realize God's word.

[@wyattoneable]

This has been a great series for me so far. Like the good doctor, I have some fencing projects coming up and these videos are going to be a great help.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

I’m glad to hear it, sure appreciate your support of the channel by leaving comments. Google really looks at it, it’s how they promote the channel and show. The more likes the more comments the more they promote it. Thank you my friend.

[@user-zs9bp9kc6e]

@@BacktotheBasics101 Where are the links for the tools at the end of this video? PLEASE consider adding all of the needed tools for putting up barbed wire fencing in the description area below each video (since most people will not watch all 16 or 17 videos). If you make those affiliate links for each item you will get paid a percentage. I don't mind supporting your channel for the help, but you are not making it easy to find all of the tools needed.

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Great video! Im currently cutting 155 posts from my land and I'll do my best to make great H braces like yours.

[@brennancogan7597]

Finally. Someone who did a video for a good solid brace. Thank you!

[@Carpfish29]

I love your videos Luke I have learned a lot from you, thank you for taking the time to make these helpful tutorials!!!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thank you Ryan, you made my day. Appreciate you stopping in and saying hi. Happy trails Luke

[@kyleprock687]

Hello Mr. Simons, Where my family ranches we use juniper posts rather than cedar post but they both do a great job. However we have found that if we remove all of the bark from the juniper post that it will last much longer than if we left the bark on the post. We have some pastures that are boggy and stay wet this is where we noticed the posts with bark rotting at the ground. Just curious to hear your input and if you have had the same problem. Just started watching your videos and I love them, spreading the word of the Lord and ranching is amazing. Thank you.

[@brianjonker510]

I have noticed that too. Do you let the posts dry a month or more after getting the bark off?

[@OldGlory1776]

Appreciate your dedication to your craft. We used to build braces in a similar manner, except we didn't need wire stretchers to get the two strands of wire tight. It temporary splice and some back and forth on the double wires with your foot you'll get all the necessary slack out and can then tie your knot. and all this time what we have learned is that wood sucks. We will never again build a brace out of anything less than pipe. Wood braces, although they should last 50 years many times do not . when a cow bumps into them and knocks out the horizontal bar, or a wire breaks, or twister falls out. Not to mention the time savings involved. Which is a lot

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Often times we used double layers with her foot is well. Pretty beginners I wanted to make it pretty simple for them. Really appreciate your input. Happy trails Luke

[@drewcheek8783]

Great series, I always learn something, a new trick or different way to look at an opportunity as I call fencing chores. If you ever have time to do one on a good creek swing gate, for creeks with debris flow, would be good. I have tried many options but they all seem to collect trash and get washed out or force water around the post and wash it out of the bank.

[@mikewest9017]

Great video!

[@John-mh6mi]

Straight used motor oil. Thank you appreciate it very much.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

You’re welcome Jeff

[@MrEst1953]

Very well done , better looking at it than for it..

[@BacktotheBasics101]

😆

[@11thlad]

Good video. Only thing I do different is use 9ga wire and I don't tamp my brace post until I tighten the cross wire. That way the brace post is not trying to pull back straight.

[@chucksewers2309]

Good as said this can break brace wire is cheap and the ok brand I last used was a very good brace wire great memory and didn’t break

[@jonathansullivan3089]

I'm in northern ky. We can only dream of dirt like that to dig in. Half inch top soil, clay and rocks the rest of the way. Quality work on that brace.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Wow that’s not good, I was surprised how good the digging was there too. That particular piece was really easy to dig no rocks or clay, where I live it is solid clay, and when it’s wet it is some hard hard work. About a foot of topsoil. And then of course if you hit rock or sand stone you’re chipping a hole in the ground. It’s work. Happy trails Luke

[@TB-sw1tf]

really good video, never seen cedar posts used as corners but im in nebraska. We only use hedge or drill stem. RR ties and cedar rot away too fast.

[@mikegoodman447]

Having put more than my share of corner posts in here is what I would do different. First Do Not use rebar to tighten the brace wire. IT Will RUST and eat through the wire. Best thing is galvanized pipe or galvanized angle iron made for this. Next put the brace pipe in about half way up. Basically this will double the pressure on the corner post. The leverage of the brace wire up high will put way more pressure on the pipe. Last thing I would do is put the staples in on each side of the corner post. This will prevent the post from twisting especially when the fence wires are pulling on the side of the post from improper installation.

[@cliffordsikora9841]

Really appreciate , your Biblical references. And doing it right the first time ( overkill , I truly do not think so ) means your fence will take the punishment it inevitably is going to receive. God Bless

[@BacktotheBasics101]

So very true. I can’t help it put the word of God in the video, God has done so much for me. Happy trails

[@nicklopez5298]

I agree with overkill is good when comes to fencing

[@dwainsw4076]

I like your shovel tool with the handle to make it easy to take dirt out of the hole.

[@menomujica1727]

Where did you buy it o what is it called

[@TomBongiovanni]

Thanks for the instruction

[@fegyland101]

Hi Guys Just checking in from Co Down Ireland great video on the Brack

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Honored to have folks watching from Ireland stay safe

[@joemc111]

Great information.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thank you Jill, I do appreciate it. Keep in touch.

[@imsohungrysgt9458]

I used normal large pliers for fixing fences then I found those claw pliers when I could find the others and I they were my favorite pliers from then out

[@misplacedhillbilly7594]

Nice work, but really liking the old Ford🤠👍

[@da1shark]

If you don’t want to weld your pipe fence look at the Bullet Fence option. Looks like a workable solution if you want to use pipe but don’t have a welding machine or worried about starting a fire during dry conditions.

[@stu7604]

Nice! Where we live, we have these things on tractors called 3-point hitches. You can attach a variety of equipment to them, including post hole diggers! Saves loads of time! Excuse my sarcasm... but we probably had our H frame done before you got your first hole dug! Very nice work, however!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

I hear you, we have a gas powered tamper, a three point Auger, a hydraulic Auger and a handheld gas powered ground Auger as well, I just wanted to show people how simple it can be putting fence in without a lot of high dollar tools. You are very right, those options are A big timesaver. Happy trails Luke

[@JoseChavez-ob2wj]

@@BacktotheBasics101 hello Luke, thank you for helping us through your channel. Can you please tell us what brand is the hole digger that was used on this video and where we can get it? All the hole diggers I have found are quite simplistic and kind of useless. Yours look to do the job way better.

[@DH1942]

We have red cedar here in Missouri -- we mostly use hedge (Osage Orange) when available. How long will cedar last? Would think the heart wood would be better than sap wood on cedar.

[@kenarnold9132]

Finally, somebody who knows how to put in an H brace !!! You wouldn't believe how many folks I've seen putting up fencing you know isn't going to last a couple years at best. Not to mention all the temp fixes they'll have to do. Must be fencing in stuffed animals LoL. My father and I put in woven wire fencing back in '70's. R/R cross ties (and some used telephone poles from the county elec) for the corners, 4 steel posts then a wooden. 2 strands barb at the top. We used double strands of No9 wire for the twisting though. Guess what, fences still stand today.We used a ford 8n to pull the woven tight, and a set of rope pulley's for stretching barb. Nowadays people showing "training videos" using 3in corners/H brace with a post driver, 1 strand of wire and some little cinching device to pull it tight (they don't even twist it) which is a complete waste of money and time IMO. People want to take shortcuts, then be warned, when yer cows push thru to the neighbors, and destroy a few acres of crops which you have to pay for, you will understand the need to do things properly the first time. Or they escape to the road (which seems they have GPS internally, and cause an accident). Good job on the video.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thank you sir, we traditionally use railroad ties as well. And I soak them in used motor oil before use generally speaking. In my opinion it is still the best brace one can do. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. Have you subscribed? Let me know if you do. Happy trails Luke

[@prdoohan]

Interesting to see how it's done in your part of the world. I always find it strange watching the USA guys digging post holes with a shovel. We use a full length steel spade for digging a clean sharp hole. The shovel is only for removing the loose dirt the spade broke up in the bottom of the hole. So end up switching between the 2 throughout the process. I like a shovel with the point worn off too, better dirt scooping from the bottom of holes without the "point" on it.

[@Drewmack22]

He's only using the shovel to start the top of the hole to ensure the post will be square. He used post hole diggers to dig the hole.

[@prdoohan]

@@Drewmack22 we commonly use half round posts for stock fencing, so post hole diggers are no good as you need one side of the hole square and flat. Post hole diggers are good for some of the full round posts strainers etc.

[@Drewmack22]

@@prdoohan I use half round post all the time you just fill the hole and tamp. It doesn't matter if the hole is round or square.

[@prdoohan]

@@Drewmack22 Different strokes for different folks 😁

[@dadfordtech]

Like that red post hole digger..never c one before.. Plus i like video

[@BacktotheBasics101]

+Jose Gonzalez Thank you appreciate your support. Post hole digger is a game changer, really works well. Happy trails Luke

[@mollyrhines3552]

love you guys and hope I get to come out their soon (Molly Rhines)😂

[@ParamjitandMichael]

I'm a tree farmer not a rancher, so don't have near the experience with fences a rancher has. Still, I've probably put up ~100 fence corners. I've always had my brace go from near the top of the fence on the corner post to ~2" above the ground on the bracing post. I've seen your style of corner many times, but can't see how it's as strong as the 45 degree brace in the shape of a Z. I've quite enjoyed watching a bunch of your videos. Best part are the smiles.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

I haven’t had much experience with the Z brace, some people really love them and I’m sure they’re good just never got into them. Thanks for watching and happy trails Luke

[@manuelvargas2608]

The fiskars all metal shovel and the 28 inch axe are the best. Bomb proof. There may be better axes for some jobs but in the back of my truck I carry a fiskars.

[@fencebullet4713]

Great video! If you choose to go all steel check out bullet fence systems. All steel, no welder needed. We suggest using angle braces and forgoing the brace wires. Just less work and geometrically a stronger brace.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thank you for the tip I’ll check it out sometime. Could you send me a link?

[@fencebullet4713]

bulletfence.com

[@garyb4929]

Nice video, A lot of city ranchers, need to watch this, at least get the basics down. I get a chuckle, when seeing fences that were put in bad, short times later, the corner post has been pressure winched out of the ground, because too shallow & improper bracing.

[@bigplayray777jackpot4]

Good info, thanks

[@BacktotheBasics101]

I’m glad it helped, appreciate you dropping by and saying howdy.

[@Squarehead45]

My family stopped using Cedar post decades ago. We used drill stem pipe, Double "H" brace with a 45 degree down brace. I have seen MILES of fence in the hill country put in that way and stay just as tight in 25 yrs as they did when they were put up. Sure, you have to have a welding machine but once it's up,,its UP for good. We also NEVER use imported wire. Only U.S. made 12 ga.

[@systemfile]

Only redbrand wire for me.

[@cabbyhubby]

Me too ..... I will never ever build another fence using wood posts ... Pipe for me !

[@marialevy5574]

Hello. Super video. Can you PLEASE tell me the make and model of your manual post hole digger??? I found something similar with a wood handle, but yours looks like metal and would likely last much longer. I can not find this anywhere. Thank you in advance for a reply!!!

[@barbfoxdvm1189]

Where did you get your post hill digger Luke? I have been to three county fairs and a goat robin' and have yet to ever see one of those. Gary Fox, Iowa

[@josephmeyer7796]

Would these tips work with a smooth wire install? I appreciate your videos. Very informative.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Yes it’s the exact same method with smooth wire. Thank you much

[@jamesparadiso4667]

Nice video. I just became a subscriber! I would like to know how I would add another fence post going the other way to make a 90* turn? Would I do the same thing, add another deadman post that’s 50” deep and a crossbar at the top? And time them together with the wire again?

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Yes just repeat what you did the first and tie into the brace. Make sure your end of the brace is in the ground deep and secure. Otherwise of course it will pull out overtime. Happy trails Luke

[@loganleonard03]

Any chance I can get the contact info for the guy that builds the shovel/ digger in this video?

[@barneylongacre8123]

i love the meadowlarks, good fence too

[@deanw8206]

Is leaving the bark on a problem with cedar? I spent quite a while removing the bark off my cedar posts with a hewing axe after noticing little black beetles eating the sapwood under the bark on all my logs, and that was after just a couple months of them sitting outside on sawhorses. I know cedar bark is easy to remove with a putty knife if the logs are fresh cut, which I'll be doing next time.

[@lonnielenox1130]

hello, I'm a new subscriber and I am enjoying your fence vids. I will be doing a bunch of fence repair and this is very helpful. Just a note you did not leave the link to the amazon store in the description.

[@3000waterman]

Hi Lennie: Just in case you worry about such things - the collective noun for a great multitude of fence repairs, is a 'confloption' of fence repairs. I think that's mentioned in the Gnostic gospels, somewhere.

[@dukeman7595]

Try digging a 50" hole in Montana with that posthole digger. We use a large heavy steel rod to break up the ground and clean out the loose dirt and repeat. It takes a good 2 hours dig a corner post hole. Lot of rocks in this area..

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thankfully on the western side of the state all we have is clear digging or through scoria or Clay sandstone. On the eastern side they have granite to dig through, this was easy digging here but I know how it is to spend 2-3 hours digging a hole with a bar.

[@trackmader]

To quote L.A. gibson I prefer my post hole digger rusty and unused, I like to drive drill stem...

[@TheOffGridHunter]

Very informative

[@nicklopez5298]

Did u just wrap the diagonal wire for the block staple at bottom and double wrap.

[@mikem.1672]

New subscriber here - thanks for your great videos and Bible verses. One question I have - in your intro to this video and many others, someone is shown applying a black substance to the top of a fence post, looks like liquid tar or something. What is it and how do you recommend its use? Thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Good to have you on the trail Mike. What the black stuff is is just used motor oil. Post generally rot from the top down. Though the post is harvested, it is still very much alive and breathing. Water absorbs through the top of the post and works it was way through the post. By keeping it watertight on the top, water beads off. It will expand the life of the post by a lot. It is also a great way to recycle your used motor oil. Thanks for subscribing, right now I am not making many videos because I am a state legislator in the state of North Dakota, we are in session. Happy trails Luke

[@NorthFork]

great info I am about to do this on my farm! Just wondering what should I use for spacing between the posts on something like this by a gate? I was thinking 5 or 6 feet? Also I am planning to coat the bottom of the post with roofing tar up to 6" above the ground, thoughts?

[@williamcarr3976]

Put some roofing tar on the top of your posts as well. Mine seem to rot at the top long before the bottoms give out

[@dberg1964]

My Dad taught me to put that brace pipe at a diagonal from high on the corner to a foot above ground on the secondary.

[@mikegoodman447]

Only problem with that is over time with constant pressure the diagonal brace will try to lift the corner post and lean . When driving through the country look for that type bracing and you'll see what I mean.

[@bryseanygaming4313]

Bless you as well. I'm glad to see there are still people unafraid of sharing God's word

[@marcyuhasz2699]

Just wondering where you purchased your clam shell post hole digger?

[@Tony-tk8tg]

There’s many different ways to do a strainer post , some easier and faster than ur example times money cheers good job

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Definitely not the only Way, however many people that are watching this our new defense in an out door life. I figured this might be the simplest way for them. Thanks for dropping by. Happy trails

[@jimh3500]

God bless you as well

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Thank you sir.

[@michaelflores9796]

Does a high tensile fence need to be in a straight line? My property lines look like a snake.

[@charcasares]

Can you provide a link to that articulated shovel? Looks really good for removing dirt from the Post holes. Thanks

[@menomujica1727]

Link for shovel

[@williammiller2660]

Where did you get your post hole digger - I haven’t seen one and need one!! Like your videos

[@amberrose1853]

If i go down beside my property line with t post and barb wire would i need a brace?

[@benleash4755]

Do you have a brand name for the post hole digger? Or where to buy? Thanks!

[@joeyscott7777]

Do the cedar post need Tobe recently cut or been cut for a year plus?

[@simpletrader547]

I bought a few calfs at the sales barn .75 a piece and they where sick but after getting them (unsick) Lol. bought a heifer holstein for 25 dollars.. there healthy and gaining weight everyday, your right there is no way buying calfs 200 a head you can make any money... i raise bottle calfs raise till around 500 - 600 as feeders i make couple dollars per head. if it helps me get to my goal , i will keep raising bottle calfs

[@reeceedwards2509]

I have used pine knots where are you buying cedar post? Old days trailers would be in front of sale barn

[@Itsjustbeau]

Where did you get that post hole digger that you’re using? I would like to lay my hands on one of those

[@sethtucker3326]

Me to. I would buy one.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Nice video.

[@paulwatterson5992]

What kind of wood are you using for the posts?

[@steve9007]

i wish i had ground that easy here in tasmania. i dug a hole yesterday i had to use the chipping hammer to loosen up rock hard dirt and potato sized rocks. can take 2 guys an hour to dig 8" x2' hole and forget about 4' hole here without an excavator

[@BacktotheBasics101]

That’s exactly what I was thinking when I was digging those holes. I’ve had to dig through Sandstone and scoria and even granite. Not fun. But you gave me a new idea for another video. Thanks and happy trails Luke

[@chrismayfield2893]

Where does one get one of those red lever action scoops your using?

[@cloudnx147]

We strip the bark off the cedar (juniper) posts going into the ground because they’ll be more likely to rot if you don’t. Without the bark, they’ll last 100 years.

[@andrewlaver5762]

Awesome video brother! Very informative! Quick question for you... What is the best way to set a corner post in the swamp??? Iv got about 3feet of swamp that is in the way of fencing off my property and it never dries up. Thanks again for the videos, God Bless you and your family!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

It’s hard work, and the swamp will want to push your post right up out of the ground in time. It’s just hard work. Thanks for watching sorry I don’t have good news on fencing in swamps.🥴

[@julieford1620]

i have the same problem. mine is not really a swamp but it does stay muddy there. would cedar be the best type of h brace to use or pipe?

[@lyleharder2131]

Good day..

[@dylancyprian843]

Luke how do I I build long sections of fence in hill country? I have my two corners located it spans a little less than a half mile. How do I position my center h brace with out being able to see from one end point to the next due to the hills

[@BacktotheBasics101]

I have a video on that from about five years ago.

[@adamberluti6660]

What distance do you go between braces on a straight run?

[@leonardorojas1781]

Please leave a link to that tensioner tool you use!

[@wolfpack7611]

What type of post hole digger are you using. I have never seen a PHD quite like the one you are using.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

+Bruce Hudson Kind of an old-school post hole digger, I fell out of South Dakota makes them. Very handy in the right type of soil. Don’t really know the name of it. Happy trails Luke

[@antoniohuertas6345]

Bruce Hudson where to by the shovel .

[@thomasbooth9079]

Back to the Basics 101 I believe it’s called a Gibbs Digger. Hope that helps.

[@PRS-0317]

Could you perhaps post some better pictures of it, or show it off a bit more in a future video?

[@frankirwin2377]

Yep, I like your H Brace. With that brace you have solid pull.

[@LibertyGarden]

Hello Luke, it's me with more questions. Where did you get that awesome posthole digger, is the corner post cedar, and how long is the pipe brace? When you tighten the wire strands, do you start with the top and work your way down?

[@BacktotheBasics101]

I found that either in South Dakota or Wyoming. If you’re interested I could get you the number of the place.

[@kenarnold9132]

I found that railroad cross ties are the best for corners as they're creosoted for longevity. Also you can get used Power poles from the county on occasion. Usually we used 12" diameter poles. They also are usually treated with creosote. With barbed wire, we generally started at the bottom and worked up. Think this is more of a convenience than anything else I think Lol.

[@LibertyGarden]

A man that does the fences for my uncle told me to start with the top wire. Most of the give will be at the top where the pull has the most leverage. So, he said, take out all the give at the top and work your way down where the give is less because the there is less leverage. Made sense to me. One of his fences had an 8” pipe as corner post, but no brace. So I asked him why and he said, it’s buried 6 feet deep with concrete. The fence was tight as on day one after three years. I also noticed that the brace systems used at my uncle’s ranch were no more than 6’ wide, with many on shorter stretches only 4-5’ wide. The corner posts for the braces went down 90 CM or 3 feet. However, that terrain is rocky and arid (12-14” annual rainfall), and very mild winters so the ground never expands or contracts much. They use 3-4” mesquite fence posts, 18” deep, and pipe, RR ties, or 10” mesquite for corners. That ranch has been in the family 47 years and some of the original fences are still holding

[@HomerKM1914]

Where did you get that red shovel?

[@johnwilliams2427]

They have these neat things called augers...speeds up the process greatly!

[@OffGrid9]

My fence-lines are down in a canyon, most areas have a lot of broken basalt rock at almost any depth. If the rocks are no bigger than a fist, an auger will usually work OK. But I commonly run into rocks of head-size or bigger -- they either stop the auger cold, or the auger's shear pin snaps like a tooth-pick. So it's back to iron bar and shovel, and I often have to get down on my belly and claw the rocks out of the holes -- even with my head and shoulders down in the hole, can't go deeper than about 38 inches. I imagine that in the badlands, he runs into a lot of sedimentary rock, likely about the same hardness as basalt. So an auger might be an iffy proposition.

[@LibertyGarden]

I went 42 inches deep on black clay soil and a week later my strands were loose. Since black soil expands (pushing the post out) and contracts (making the fence loose), I was thinking of backfilling with road gravel which only gets hard with rain and does not compact or expand. Have you ever tried such a thing? Thanks for the video.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

+Liberty Garden I have used road gravel, it didn’t work real good for me but then again it was very cold about 30 below zero when I did. I know they put in a lot of post and beam Barnes using gravel. Now and then we have to put fence through gumbo which is very similar to what you’re talking about and very hard to Tampa in. You got your work cut out for you :-). Happy trails Luke

[@johnronsmith]

I have been using crushed red rock with great results, but I have also heard that pea gravel works good, I think the biggest thing is to have washed rock of some sort, no dirt or fines in it.

[@LibertyGarden]

Thanks, John.

[@offgridhomesteader9215]

Try footing the post next time.

[@OffGrid9]

Pea gravel is round, will NOT pack...that's why it's recommended higher than grass under kids' playground stuff, kids can fall into it without breaking bones because it just will not pack. You are right about not having dirt in the gravel (such as tailings) - it packs real well but will get soft if water gets down into it. But you're wrong about fines - best packing gravel I've ever found was crushed (sharp angles) gravel with LOTS of fines, packs like concrete and water won't soften it, but you can still dig it up later if you have to, unlike concrete. Down in New Mexico I've heard folks talk about "crusher fines", it's about 90 percent fines, you tamp it like dirt, and it sets like concrete. Sounds ideal to me.