Barbed wire fence Question!(top or bottom?)

[farmlifeusa]

When buliding a barbed wire fence. Is it better to start with the top wire or the bottom?

[Windy in Kansas]

Top so that as you add strands they don't tangle/catch on the former one. Properly anchored corner posts and/or in line stretching posts is a must.

[glenn amolenaar]

Top wire first.
Glenn

[fordy]

Originally Posted by farmlifeusa

When buliding a barbed wire fence. Is it better to start with the top wire or the bottom?

.............My version of a 5 wire , standard bwire fence is built using 5'6" Tposts , driven until they are 48" to 50" out of the ground . Start with the top wire (which should be about 4 feet from ground level) , then each lower wire will be tied approx. 4 clicks down ; there should be around 9 inches separating each wire . So , when finished , the bottom wire should be around 1 foot off the ground , this is assuming a fairly strait and level fence line . When building on uneven terrain I tried to make the fence follow the ups and downs but with a "smoothed" look . I wanted the fence to look professional , and like the builder cared about his work . , fordy

[jirwin]

I always start with top wire. I also make a stick with measurement marks, to carry, that way at each post the wires are the same distance apart.-J

[agmantoo]

Do as fordy suggests. Avoid a sawtooth or zig zag fence that is difficult to keep taut . Get the top wire to where it contours with the ground terrain in a rolling gradual curvature and at a near a constant height. This will let the variations in the ground contours fluctuate beyween the bottom strand and ground thus creatind a professional appearance. Measure down from the top strand once you are satisfied with it for determining the next strands.

[RosewoodfarmVA]

We always use a hammer claw width to measure wire spacings. Once you get one wire right, turn the hammer sideways, set the claw tip or pounding tip on the wire, then put the next wire where it stops (about 6 or 7 inches with our hammer), hold with one hand, and fasten. It makes quick work of putting up wire, and you don't have to measure, just make sure your hammers (if two people work together) are the same.