Splicing Barb Wire

[Formerly PaMike]

I have a lot of high tensile fencing, and I have crimp sleeves for repairing that wire, but I dont have much experiance splicing barb wire. I have a barb wire fence that I tore, and need to repair. In the past I have used the crimp sleeves to splice the wire, but they dont always hold on the barb wire. Any old timers have a good method? I know there are "knots", but I dont know any of them...
Thanks

 

[rrlund]

I use one of these stretchers,put a loop in each end of the existing wire,then put a new short piece between the loops. When I let the stretcher loose,it still leaves the wire good and tight as long as you tighten it super tight before you put the new splice in.

 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

A "western union splice" is probably the best bet!
JMHO, Dave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union_splice

 

[John A.]

Mike,, Shetland Sheep dog is 100% Spot On correct about using a Western Union Splice to repair 12 gauge Barbed Wire. Being the son of an Electrical Lineman I was Eat out by Dad for not doing it Properly and Tight. A Loose splice will come unraveled when sufficient pull is applied. It is not fun to have to go back and straighten out the wire get the kinks out and retie, Again! with Dad not happy about loosing time "Daylight a Burning". Dad had brought in Splicng tools to hold the 2 wires side-by-side then turn one right and the other left. A MUST keep the wraps tight and next to each other in a uniform fashion,,, Dads point of view was.... it better look like a Factory done splice!
My point.....unravel the lines about 18in back and remove the Barbs re-twist the wire back minus the barbs then at the first Barb on each line start a Long tie variety F in the illustration with the First barb just past the opposite one on the tail side make tie as Described. So when the Tie tightens up the 2 barbs will helps hold the splice and help keep it from un-raveling!
Also get your self a really good Cable Pull,, Come-A-Long like a Maasdam Mgf makes not one of those Cheap, Crappy ones where the Ratchet wheel is made of 3 or 4 layers of metal riveted together. They will get you hurt or killed not worth the hard earned dollars it took to buy it the first time. Get 2 good wire clamps to use on your Come-A-long. and a lighter chain to throw around a fence post or tree to pull off of. NOT Dog chain!! heavier !!
PS. I like the sleeves on Net Wire, still get about 12 to 18 ins of pig tail, run it through the splice, Crimp, then make a Western union on each side of the sleeve. IMO the same should work on Barbed Wire Too. Most people Do Not Get wire Tight Enough To begin with! get all you can Stand!
Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

 

[LonM]

We just take the two loose ends, bend a hook in each end so it doubles back about 5-6 inches, hook the two ends to each other, and use a fence pliers to hold it solid where the two meet. Then take the doubled back part and wind it back on itself, each wire getting 3-4 wraps back over itself. Repeat this step with the other half of the splice. Then snub it up to the post, stretch it tight, and staple in place. Continue pulling up the slack until you get to the nearest tie-off post, then tighten and wrap. Clear as mud, right? I should have a picture... Anyway, when you are out in the middle of nowhere, you don"t need a cumbersome stretcher if you have a fence pliers, hammer, small coil of patching wire and a pocket full of staples. This is a fast way and it holds very well.

 

[T in NE]

I find it works better to put a couple feet of new wire in, and make the loops on one end big enough that barbs can pass through. Then pull the new piece and an end of the old piece together.
And next year when you need to tighten it again, you have some room to work with the newer wire. Especially helps if you are working with the original wire that was put in 150 years ago.
They are also making a version of that same stretcher, with another leg on the tail end. Lets you pull the wire multiple times without letting the wire go slack again.