Wire fence over 4' tall 3 rail vinyl install?

[DieselMachine]

Attempting to install some Red Brand, 47" tall wire fence on the inside of a recently installed 3 rail vinyl fence. I attempted to unroll one of the small sections by hand (those 330' rolls are very heavy) where the natural curve of the unrolled fence wanted to push into the vinyl fence. I'm second guessing if this is the right way to do it, or if it would be better to have the fence want to roll up on its own away from the vinyl fence? I have not stretched the fence as I'm only attaching with some small screws to the vinyl and don't want the plastic to rip out (i don't think slightly larger screws would help from eventually ripping out if pulled too tight either). The end result is a pretty wavy/bubbly looking fence. Thoughts on how to improve the looks of this install?

Thanks all.
DM

 

[DieselMachine]

Some photos of current section, looking pretty rough:

 

[Sonny580]

Don't know why it turned on it's side, BUT, this is the only way to unroll and tension woven wire!---I am currently putting up the red brand stiff myself, only on steel post, and found nothing else to work.
This thing is slick and easy! thanks; sonny

PS.-- click on pic and it turns up the right way!!!

 

[DieselMachine]

Wow, that looks super handy! You just use the tractor as the tensioner then? I just don't know how tight I can get this stuff while its mounted on vinyl.... Maybe I have to be content with a wavy wire fence...

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm planning on doing something similar on my vinyl fence, and then all the way around the perimeter of my property. I've been sick all week and while killing time, discovered youtube all over again. Just search fence unrollers or how to install goat fence or how to unroll fencing, or some other combination. There are some very high tech, super expensive ways to do that will blow you away, and then there are the large variety of options for sale that cost too much, and my favorite, the DIY versions!!!!

 

[AWSubie]

I don't think you will ever be happy with attaching to the vinyl fence. A better and more maintenance free method is to pound a t-post behind each vinyl post and put in either a welded or "Wedge-Loc Corner/In-Line Brace" corner post (google wedge-loc to understand this method; available at tractor supply company) then stretch the fence using a fence stretcher or come-along. Thread a piece of rebar or metal rod through the fence end that you pull on to achieve even tension while stretching.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't think you will ever be happy with attaching to the vinyl fence. A better and more maintenance free method is to pound a t-post behind each vinyl post and put in either a welded or "Wedge-Loc Corner/In-Line Brace" corner post (google wedge-loc to understand this method; available at tractor supply company) then stretch the fence using a fence stretcher or come-along. Thread a piece of rebar or metal rod through the fence end that you pull on to achieve even tension while stretching.

I was also going to suggest putting in a good corner anchor and tee post behind each vinyl post. At minimum, you need a good corner anchor that you can tension the wire to as the first step.
Once the corner ends are tensioned, you could likely attach it to the vinyl post if you don't want to drive T-post. I don't think I would attach it to the rails though. I have seen too many of those fences with the rails dislocated. Once tensioned at the ends, you are really only holding up the wire in a vertical position so there isn't any stress on the attachment points.

As for tensioning, I used 2 pieces of 2x4 bolted tightly to each side of the fence. The put a short strap, cable, chain or strong rope around the 2x4 in a > near the top and bottom and pull from the center of the >. This doesn't distort the fence like putting a bar thru it.

 

[zzvyb6]

I just bolt a piece of steel water pipe onto the side of my bucket and drive along the fence row until I'm near the end of the roll. I curl the bucket forward to load the pipe post and curl it back to feed it out. Highly recommend a fence stretcher for these jobs. And, think about how your scheme will help or inhibit changing out posts and rails in the future because someday you will be facing that issue.

 

[bcp]

For field fence tightening, I have several of these at various places around the property. I squeeze the end in a vise until the rods are parallel, if they are not already. Mine are about 30 inches long. Never saw a 54 inch one.

54 in. Sprinkler Valve Key-17-54�2 - The Home Depot


Just stick it on a wire, twist left and right, and that wire is now tighter. You are putting in a new crimp, usually slightly larger then the original. The length allows you to go down to the bottom wire without getting down. Don't twist so much you put in a U shape, just a shallow V. It doesn't take long to take out a lot of sag, like from a limb falling on the fence or a bear climbing over.

Bruce

 

[zzvyb6]

A standard carpenters claw hammer does the same job. Give the wire a quarter twist every few feet, top and bottom.

 

[bcp]

I used a hammer for years. I like the other much better.

Bruce

 

[DieselMachine]

Used a different technique today, inspired by Sonny’s Tarter vertical spool I fashioned a makeshift horizontal spool/feeder off the back of the box blade. Unrolled the fence across the one side of the yard so it would want to roll upwards to the air, or out away from the fence in its upright position. Fastened section by section skipping every two posts, then going back to the skipped posts to re tension by hand then fasten. Not perfect but looks much straighter than unrolling by hand where it wants to curl towards the vinyl fence.
My “spooler” if that’s what they’re called:

Section unrolled by hand while trying to keep roll of fence vertical(horrible technique in retrospect):

Section section unrolled with tractor:

Now to hopefully unroll and fasten the rest of it tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies about adding crimps, I will try that as well.

 

[ustmd]

DieselMachine,

Your spooler is pretty smart. Wish I had thought of that.

I know this is a little late and way more expensive than the woven wire, but for a good, clean look, I would have down hog or cattle panels between the posts

 

[Sonny580]

I just posted pic. of mine to maybe give some ideas to make something to do the same job!! LOL!!!
1 year ago this Tarter dude was around $525., and has more than paid for itself in the year of use!--still have 1,500 feet or more to put up.
When you reach the end of roll, swing clamping bar around to grab wire, then drive forward to tension wire, then go back and install clips.
Another person want's us to put up some wire for them when we get ours done. thanks; sonny

 

[murfcat]

Hi all just my thoughts on fence.if you use heavy wooden posts every 50yards or so you can stapler wire too post and strain . zip tie wire to fence

 

[QRTRHRS]

I don't think you will ever be happy with attaching to the vinyl fence. A better and more maintenance free method is to pound a t-post behind each vinyl post and put in either a welded or "Wedge-Loc Corner/In-Line Brace" corner post (google wedge-loc to understand this method; available at tractor supply company) then stretch the fence using a fence stretcher or come-along. Thread a piece of rebar or metal rod through the fence end that you pull on to achieve even tension while stretching.

I used galvanized T posts behind vinyl post but I ran poly wire on them to keep my horses from damaging the three rail vinyl fence.

There was a curve where the posts do pull in away from the vinyl fence but with poly wire it was minimal. For woven wire I agree on the Wedge-Loc's. I have used them for T posts corners with woven wire for dog fencing. They hold an amazing amount of tension. I get them from Kencove Fencing.

The galvanized T posts are a bit pricey but the look in conjunction with vinyl fence is less shall we say "intrusive" than the standard green posts that are going to rust.

 

[Dftodd]

View attachment 534670Don't know why it turned on it's side, BUT, this is the only way to unroll and tension woven wire!---I am currently putting up the red brand stiff myself, only on steel post, and found nothing else to work.
This thing is slick and easy! thanks; sonny

PS.-- click on pic and it turns up the right way!!!

I just saw that device being offered in the agrisupply catalog. Was cussing up a storm when i saw it and pointed it out to my wife Would have been extremely handy when we fenced in the back yard. That's on the wish list and will be purchased if we buy another piece of property that needs to be fenced in

 

[Sonny580]

This unroller is the only way we found to work for us in getting the big rolls up.--Can't go wrong, and they will last forever, (one time investment).
I was going to have to make something to do the job,( time did not permit it), but wife found this on the internet, price wasn't too bad, so as you can see she got one ordered for us!! thanks; sonny580

 

[EddieWalker]

Used a different technique today, inspired by Sonny’s Tarter vertical spool I fashioned a makeshift horizontal spool/feeder off the back of the box blade. Unrolled the fence across the one side of the yard so it would want to roll upwards to the air, or out away from the fence in its upright position. Fastened section by section skipping every two posts, then going back to the skipped posts to re tension by hand then fasten. Not perfect but looks much straighter than unrolling by hand where it wants to curl towards the vinyl fence.
My “spooler” if that’s what they’re called:
View attachment 534697
Section unrolled by hand while trying to keep roll of fence vertical(horrible technique in retrospect):
View attachment 534698
Section section unrolled with tractor:
View attachment 534699
Now to hopefully unroll and fasten the rest of it tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies about adding crimps, I will try that as well.

Very creative idea on unrolling wire!!! I copied and added it to my "Ideas" album. Thanks!!!

Is that an alley behind your fence, or some kind of green belt that everyone gets to use? Who maintains it?

 

[DieselMachine]

Sure thing! It’s a utility easement with a gas and water line currently. It’s still being “maintained” by the water district as they just recently installed the water line and are on the hook until it’s seeded. Once vegetation takes the hoa will maintain.