American-made barbed wire or imported?

[rtimgray]

This type of subject has come up time and again on this site, and now I finally have an example in my life of a choice to be made regarding American-made or imported products.

I've got to replace a fence that was heavily damaged by falling limbs back during the ice storm. It's just gonna be a simple 5 strand barbed wire fence, so I'm gonna get five rolls of wire.

Called my local store, and for the type of wire I want to use, they have two choices: American-made Motto for $47.99 or imported (I believe it is made in Mexico) wire (same gauge) for $39.99 per roll. I've used both in the past, I can't tell any difference. It just happens that the farm supply store happens to have plenty of both in stock.

I can almost buy five rolls of imported wire for the cost of four rolls of domestic (or buy six rolls of imported for the price of five, but I don't really need a sixth roll - I should have a little left off of each of the five rolls).

What would you do?

Thanks and take care.

 

[weldingisfun]

This type of subject has come up time and again on this site, and now I finally have an example in my life of a choice to be made regarding American-made or imported products.

I've got to replace a fence that was heavily damaged by falling limbs back during the ice storm. It's just gonna be a simple 5 strand barbed wire fence, so I'm gonna get five rolls of wire.

Called my local store, and for the type of wire I want to use, they have two choices: American-made Motto for $47.99 or imported (I believe it is made in Mexico) wire (same gauge) for $39.99 per roll. I've used both in the past, I can't tell any difference. It just happens that the farm supply store happens to have plenty of both in stock.

I can almost buy five rolls of imported wire for the cost of four rolls of domestic (or buy six rolls of imported for the price of five, but I don't really need a sixth roll - I should have a little left off of each of the five rolls).

What would you do?

Thanks and take care.

I would let my wallet dictate$

 

[jinman]

I'd buy the five rolls of Mexico-manufactured wire, hand them $200, and tell them to keep the change. I'm the generous type.

 

[Western]

I'd go the cheaper route too. I have used both and can't really see a difference.

I do prefer the 4 barb to the 2 barb though.

 

[Redbug]

Since the quality is the same, then I would go with the cheapest buy. It's a shame, I know...I can't see throwing away hard earned money. Hopefully in the future, steel will go down enough to make American wire competative again.

 

[chh]

You might want to check and see what the galavanzing is rated. It won't be a bargain if it is a rusted mess in 5 years. I always use 4 point wire, 12 gauge. Wire rated "commercial" is usually a half guage lighter and has less coating. I bought 5 rolls last week of American made for $68.50 a roll. It is worth it.

 

[Ken]

Having just completed putting 80 acres of fencing back after a tornado. Goucho wire when loosened to roll up to clean the fence row then reinstall will twist or catch and tie it self in knots that takes for ever to retighten. American red tip wire will roll and un roll without fighting does not kink and bind in tightening. Save hours of work to redo.
There is about 10 bucks difference in the wire. 10 years later American is still strong and not rusty. I now just cut and discard the (goucho) Mexico wire and use red tip.
Being cheap begins to look cheap quickly. ken

 

[two_bit_score]

Buy the American made. No question.

 

[rtimgray]

You might want to check and see what the galavanzing is rated. It won't be a bargain if it is a rusted mess in 5 years. I always use 4 point wire, 12 gauge. Wire rated "commercial" is usually a half guage lighter and has less coating. I bought 5 rolls last week of American made for $68.50 a roll. It is worth it.

We used to use 12 gauge Redbrand, but discovered the Motto/Gaucho route about 20 years ago. The wire is 15 or 15 1/2 gauge (much lighter) and cheaper. We've had great success with it. The lighter rolls are also alot easier to tote through the woods where a lot of the fence is going to be run. If the cows won't stay behind 5 strands of 15 1/2, the 12 gauge wire won't keep them in either.

I've never had much problem with either the gaucho or motto coming loose or rusting. The fencing that I put up the year my daughter was born (holy crap - that was 10 years ago!) looks like it's about 2 weeks old (it has lost it's shiny galvanized coating, but it's not rusting), and it's imported.

I appreciate the advice and input. Take care.

 

[capt jack]

If you're thinking Goucho is "Mexico wire" read the wrapper. it is a product of Breakard co. made in the USA. It is a class 3 wire meaning it has 3 times the galvanization of class 1 wires. I have used both and would (and do) buy Goucho even if it was $10 a roll MORE then others. I have fences I built 24 years ago that are still tight, and the wire still shines like the day I put it up.
I have an area where I used 12.5 gage regular wire 8 years age that is rusted and loose. The Goucho is a smaller gage but is a higher tinsle wire (it stays as tight as you pulled it when installed). but it IS a little harder to work with. However as much as material costs, and as labor intensive as this work is, I only want to do it one time!
Jack