Weld Wire and Staples ?

SmoothSippin · Jul 31, 2006

I am well on my way in my little fencing project (I will post pics sometime soon). Thanks to the many who have given me ideas on the this site. And here I am asking for more.

I plan to use a heavy duty weld wire on the inside of my wood (post and rail) fence. I was considering using an air stapler for this task, versus hammering staples. Since the weldwire is not under a ton of pressure (unlike tensile fencing), will this idea work? What gauge staple would I need for the air gun? depth? Or, is this ridiculous and I should just hammer in say 2500 fencing staples?

Thanks all!

Mike1 · Jul 31, 2006

I've used an air stapler to put up welded wire in combination with 4 board fencing on the perimeter of my property. I use inch long, 1/4 inch wide galvanized staples. Not sure how they will hold up long term in treated posts, but they do go in much easier than fence staples.

Brant · Jul 31, 2006

I used 18-ga narrow-crown (~1/4") staples that were 3/4" long. I stapled the fence to 1" thick oak boards. The stapler was a disposable unit from Harbor Freight--$19.99 I believe. The staples hold very well.

SmoothSippin · Jul 31, 2006

Mike mentioned galvanized staples. Which caused me to shutter, since I have been using standard galvanized nails in my pressure treated fence (I am using a full head air nailer). According to a few sites, these nails will rust to pieces. I got like 15 sections nailed up with these

. Seems you need a special galvanized nail for this. I guess I will try to find these treated lumber nails for my gun today! Should I be worried about the sections I put up with the standard galvanized nails? Maybe I should re-nail with the new type nails? Should I be pouring a double when I get home?

I guess that leads to the next question. Do they make staples for treated lumber?

texasjohn · Jul 31, 2006

I've used all kinds of staples... problem is that they back out of the wood.
The smaller the staple, the shorter the legs, the faster they back out.
I now use 2 inch galvanized staples with hooks on each one that catch when they try to back out... works well, except that they are more narrow gage than some other staples and bend when being driven into some treated pine posts. I haven't found anything that is perfect.

Never had staples rust off...

anojones · Jul 31, 2006

I used stainless screws for my fence- expensive, but I didn't want the galvanized screws to rust out- they do make special fastners for the new treated lumber (although they can discolor the wood as well). I used 1/2" crown 16 gauge galvanzied staples to attatch my welded wire- it has held well but I do anticipate I may have to touch up the fence from time to time over the years. The advantage over standard fence staples is that you can put in a lot more staples- it doesn't take much effort to pull the staple gun trigger and the staples are inexpensive. You may be concerned about how the galvanzied staples (fence or from a gun) will look on the inside of your fence- they can discolor the wood- although they do make stainless fence staples for $$$.

Soundguy · Jul 31, 2006

Some people only put in a few staples to hol dthe fence steady if they are also gonna put up 3-4 board fencing.. and just let the fence board nails hold them on.

Be carefull when you stretch that welded wire... it's way weaker than tied wire..

Soundguy

rickmacheske · Jul 31, 2006

SmoothSippin said:
Mike mentioned galvanized staples. Which caused me to shutter, since I have been using standard galvanized nails in my pressure treated fence (I am using a full head air nailer). According to a few sites, these nails will rust to pieces. I got like 15 sections nailed up with these . Seems you need a special galvanized nail for this. I guess I will try to find these treated lumber nails for my gun today! Should I be worried about the sections I put up with the standard galvanized nails? Maybe I should re-nail with the new type nails? Should I be pouring a double when I get home?

I guess that leads to the next question. Do they make staples for treated lumber?

Well....you can definitely get stainless nails for a nail gun. I used them for a deck and fence at my last house. I did run out and had to use some galvanized on a short run of fence. 4 months later the galvanized had rust spots. I really don't know how they are holding up now since I sold the place. The stainless nails showed no issues at 4 months.

SmoothSippin · Jul 31, 2006

Soundguy said:
Some people only put in a few staples to hol dthe fence steady if they are also gonna put up 3-4 board fencing.. and just let the fence board nails hold them on.

Be carefull when you stretch that welded wire... it's way weaker than tied wire..

Soundguy

Speaking of stretch weld wire... I hear it really does not stretch much and I should just use a couple 2X4s and stretch it "by hand". That is no tractor

Any thoughts

Soundguy · Jul 31, 2006

You'd be surprised at how much wire stretches ( sags ) over a long run.

I never stretch by 'powered' vehicle.. but rather use a farm jack. A comealong will work too.

(2) 2x4 or one of those neet jigs at TSC will work.. just make sure you give the welded wire a little of an extra roll onthe 2x4 before clamping.. say.. 2 layers.. not 1.. that way the verticle segments don't fail during the stretch.

Soundguy