Attaching fence wire to posts staples?

[REt92]

Daughter has a pasture already fenced with conventional horizontal boards. They want to enclose it with wire fencing.
Driving staples by hand would be extremely difficult.Been looking at alternative methods, but what might be a minimum size staple one could use Most staple guns only can handle a thin staple. Other alternatives to fastening this? No large animals, just small goats. The standing fence posts are 30 years old, so would there be a problem with galvanized staples?
Thanks Ret 1

 

[ovrszd]

What would be the difficulty of hammering staples?? Since I don't know your location I also don't know what type of posts she might have?? Several years ago I wired a board fence. The boards were on the "people" side of the fence and the wire was on the "livestock" side so stapling wasn't an issue at all.

Here in Missouri if you build a fence using Hedge posts and then go back several years later to add staples you have a definite problem. The posts age and become as hard as a rock. No staple driving then!!!

 

[REt92]

Thanks for asking, we are in Va.Hand stapling in about 800 ft of fence is a bit much Boards are on the same side as wire would be. As far a posts being hard,I will go out and drive a nail in one of them to see how it goes. This fence was built years ago as the previous owner had horses and it is built with heavy posts
Ret 1

 

[DT86]

Unless you have a physical limitation 800' is nothing.

There are air powered nailers just for fence but are priced more for fencing companies or large farms. $$$

What kind of wire are you wanting to use?

 

[REt92]

Thanks for asking, we are in Va.Hand stapling in about 800 ft of fence is a bit much Boards are on the same side as wire would be. As far a posts being hard,I will go out and drive a nail in one of them to see how it goes. This fence was built years ago as the previous owner had horses and it is built with heavy posts
Ret 1

 

[MH8675309]

Hand nail them but dont drive the staple in all the way - leave a little bit of room for the wire to contract and expand. Are you going with barb wire?

 

[ovrszd]

Hand nail them but dont drive the staple in all the way - leave a little bit of room for the wire to contract and expand. Are you going with barb wire?

My brother was horrible about this. He'd drive the staple until it crimped the barbed wire. Then later when the wire would break he would complain about the poor quality of the wire. I was never able to convince him it was his technique that was the problem. So you just let it go. He is the Older Brother after all.

 

[newbury]

What about holding the staple with needle nose pliers and using a cordless palm nailer?

 

[REt92]

No. Just field wire.Goats will be penned in barn at night. She just wants a fairly safe enclosed pasture.only 3 small goats
Chicken can roam around also
Ret 92

 

[ovrszd]

Unless you have a physical limitation 800' is nothing.

Yeah, assuming posts 8' apart and five wires that's just 500 staples. Sounds like a lot but isn't really. Unless as mentioned the operator is physically handicapped in some manner.

I had back surgery a month ago and yesterday I tore out 500' of woven wire fence/steel posts. Had to unclip them all. My handicap is mental......

 

[MH8675309]

Palm nailer is cool and all but driving staples that way is the long way around - it will make this into more of a project than it needs to be. If you are going to keep animals in a fenced area you should be proficient with a hammer. It doesnt take that much practice to get good at it. When I was in the construction trade I was amazed how many young men couldnt hammer to save their lives. i guess its a dying art anymore.

 

[newbury]

Palm nailer is cool and all but driving staples that way is the long way around - it will make this into more of a project than it needs to be. If you are going to keep animals in a fenced area you should be proficient with a hammer. It doesnt take that much practice to get good at it. When I was in the construction trade I was amazed how many young men couldnt hammer to save their lives. i guess its a dying art anymore.

Yes, but it's a good excuse to get a very handy tool. I went for 40 years without a palm nailer and once I got one I've found them to be excellent every time I need to nail a big nail between joists. If his posts are old they are very likely hard. If the OP thinks he couldn't hammer in 500 staples maybe he couldn't.

I am surprised they don't make an inexpensive battery operated stapler for fencing staples.

Here's a $50 tool to do it with a hammer Goldenrod Hired Hand Staple Driver | Fencing| Northern Tool + Equipment

/edit and $60 for about 700 staples.

 

[REt92]

Thanks for the replies I spent most of my life with a hammer in my hand but at close to 86 it is difficult today. Combine the with 15 year olds that are not hammer savvy. SIL is not the handiest either.Daughter can only do so much.So I am trying to make this as easy on me and them as much as possible If I was 20 years younger I would not be asking this question.

Ret 92

 

[MH8675309]

REt92 OK when you put it that way - pick whatever is the easiest route. I'd still try to get that SIL (as you say) out there to learn some little handy skills. Newbury - I did use a palm nailer for 6" pole barn spikes when there just wasnt enough room for a swing and in their own right they are a wonderful tool.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Time for the sil to step up, or a grandson. The goldenrod hired hand tools looks promising. Mixed reviews but everything has mixed reviews these days.

 

[bcp]

Cordless stapler used for molding, furniture, light construction, etc.

Bruce

 

[DT86]

Cordless stapler used for molding, furniture, light construction, etc.

Bruce

View attachment 459584

Worthless for fence wire.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I'm thinking that your 86. Son in law must be about 60ish. And grandson 30-40ish. It's time for someone to get out in the fresh air, get their hands dirty and work up a sweat.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm thinking that your 86. Son in law must be about 60ish. And grandson 30-40ish. It's time for someone to get out in the fresh air, get their hands dirty and work up a sweat.

I agree. I hire my Gransons (teenagers) when I'm doing fencing. They'll never learn any other way. I expect them to work and they do. I don't mind paying for labor that works. I had to teach them how to use steel post clips. How else are they to learn.

I appreciate an 86 year old trying to help with this problem. It's a shame that the 3 generations younger than him don't see that.

 

[DT86]

Who said there were grandsons / more capable relatives close enough to help or even at all?

Ret, which end of Va are you located??