How to Brace a T-Post
Wood fences are expensive, so most ranch and farm fences are made of wire or wire mesh. The wire is usually fastened to a metal post called a T-post; these posts hold up well in a straight line because the tension of the wire fence pulls the posts straight. At corners, however, the wires that join the corner at right angles conspire to pull the corner T-post over. Brace corner posts with two additional T-posts that diagonally connect the top of the corner post to the bottoms of the T-posts on each side.
-
Push the corner T-post and the adjoining T-posts on each side straight and upright.
-
Tie a piece of string between the top of the fence on the corner post to the bottom of the fence on one of the adjoining posts. Cut the string at both ties with a pair of fence cutters or side cut pliers.
-
Measure the length of the string with a metal measuring tape. Cut one of the T-posts you intend to use as a bracing post to that length with a hacksaw.
-
Attach T-post corner braces to the top and bottom of the bracing T-post. There are several designs of these connectors. The best known brands may be "Wedge-Loc" and "Speed Brace." Attach the braces according to the instruction sheet that came with them.
-
Install the braces, with the bracing T-post attached, at the top of the fence on the corner post and the bottom of the fence on the adjacent post.
-
Repeat this procedure to install the second bracing T-post.
References
Writer Bio
Don Davis has been a professional writer since 1977. He has had numerous writing jobs, including writing news and features for the "Metrowest Daily News" and "Los Angeles Herald-Examiner." Davis has a Bachelor of Arts in English and history from Indiana State University.
Photo Credits
- Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
More Articles
