Does fence work need a generator?

[paker]

I am putting up a farm fence (about 800 feet). My neighbor is leading this project for me. He is going to bring his tractor, bush hog, and auger to my farm. He said he would have to do the prep (of corner posts) at his house since I don't have a generator. Would it be convenient if I had a generator? Sorry for this foolish question but I don't know anything about farm fence. I just want to be a good helper to him.
Thank you.

 

[ddurrett896]

No - use screws.

 

[Copymutt]

Cedar post? Split rail? Hog wire?
None of the above require a generator. Making corner posts involves a triangle or X construction between three posts in two directions wheather metal or wood. He may have needed power to efficiently cut metal. Wood can be done w/ a light chainsaw. If wire fencing involved you'll need a come along or winch.
Sounds like your in for a good workout and some schooling. The auger is really a back saver. You'd know it if you had to run 800 ft. of hand dug holes.
Jim

 

[A**holes Garage]

Everyone needs a generator, what size is the question.
If your putting a pipe fence, the obvious answer is yes.
If not, big enough to run a small welder, drills, grinders, etc.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Can’t imagine what you’d use a generator for building fence, and I’ve built miles.

 

[paker]

It will be made of wood posts and woven wire fence https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...n-field-fence-330-ft-l-x-47-in-h?cm_vc=-10005. I suppose we will need to run circular saw, drill, etc (my guess). What about this? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Champion...hguid=e4f926fc-675-1671ec75565f06&athena=true Too small for this job?

Can’t imagine what you’d use a generator for building fence, and I’ve built miles.

Please educate me on wood post+cattle fence. I would like to know what's involved.

 

[Copymutt]

Fence pliers, hammer, couple 2x6 to attach to a comealong, auger,shovel,go devil. Cowboy up. Auger and brush hog do all the work.
Jim

 

[mitusa]

Hog wire fence requires very good corner posts.....big ones with good anchors.

Are you going to use sakrete to set the corners??? If not, you will need a tamper to tamp the dirt around the corner. Your neighbor is probably set up to stretch hog wire....it's a little different.

 

[Falcon67]

All the farm people around here usually have a Miller welder/generator on the back of the flat bed or back of the big pickup. Lots of drill pipe fence in these parts. And drill pipe Little League backstops, guard rails, etc.

 

[cdestuck]

How else are you gong to plug in your radio?

 

[Kevin54]

How else are you gong to plug in your radio?

800' foot of fence? Yep, the generator is for the radio and the portable fridge in the back of the truck.

Actually he may be thinking of having to cut boards to length in the field using a power saw. Easier to run a Gen to power the equipment. And you don't have to buy one. Either rent one or borrow one.

 

[jhelrey]

Ever heard of battery powered tools?

 

[CJM8515]

pfft fence...chainsaw works fine.

 

[finn]

Ever heard of battery powered tools?

The neighbor is probably one of the guys over on the other threads extolling the value and practicality of corded power tools.

Tell him to just bring his extension cord.

 

[larry_g]

pfft fence...chainsaw works fine.

X2 here. No need for a generator. Over 55 years of fence building and never needed a generator. If you need to drill posts, a brace and bit will rival the speed of a battery drill. If you kill a 3' wide swath of vegetation under the fence it will keep the animals from pushing on the bottom wire to get that grass just on the other side.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Spareparts]

800' of fence will need more than 1 battery, need to charge a couple of battery's somewhere. If your neighbor is helping make it as convenient for him as possible, besides living in rural areas you need a generator for power loss, 3500 running watts used to be the norm but with all the new conviences in our homes today 4500 or 5500 running watts will work better. When buying a generator check the starting watts versus running watts, big difference, it takes more power to start an item than what it takes to run after startup.

 

[paker]

Thank you all for the advice. The site is too far for extension cords. I will bring a generator as I want to be a good helper to this good hearted neighbor. Thank you again.

 

[Bert_]

What would you need to cut with a saw? Maybe drill a few holes if your going to hang pipe gates. Most of the gates I make are just 5 lengths of wire and some treated 2x4's


For 90% of it you just need a hammer for staples on the wood posts and a fence pliers for twisting wire and for clips on the steel posts.

I've never needed to do any prep on corner posts. Dig holes aprox the right distance apart for your brace, drop posts in and attach brace before backfilling the hole. I use metal braces attached with a lag bolt, you pound the lag bolt in, no need for a drill. Use #9 wire to make it tight and keep the posts from moving.

 

[ace10]

H posts on the corners? Just need a drill.
Chainsaw for topping the posts.
Hopefully he isn't running a concrete mixer.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Hopefully he isn't running a concrete mixer.

That's my only guess !

How to Set a Corner Post WITHOUT Concrete!

Skip to 6:30

 

[Bert_]

Don't put posts in concrete. Totally unnecessary and a giant pain when the post rots out in 40 years and you or somebody else has to replace it.

 

[Kevin54]

Maybe some people are a little more **** than others and believe the fence needs to look a certain way. If he's going to help you, get a generator.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have used a generator to run a large hole hawg Milwaukee running a self feed auger bit. While not neccessary it's much faster than using a bit/brace, if your doing a lot of corners on odd shape property. The only way a brace and bit is faster is if you have a low torque drill with a standard 118 degree bit. Hammer driving lags work fine in bigger post but will split smaller ones some times. I think only Paul Bunyan could hammer drive lags into hedge post or old Black locust post. If you only have 4 corners a bit and brace is fine.
Today's modern cordless brushless drills with and auger bit would work to.

Don't use concrete, it only rots the post faster and if done wrong (and most people do) will frost Jack a post.

Consider forgoing h braces. A floating brace is just as strong, uses 2 less post, and can be tightened and straighten a leaning post out if need be. Less apt to jacking the corner post as well if you follow the correct length of brace/notch position.

Starting at the end of page 4
https://fyi.uwex.edu/grazres/files/2012/01/bracing.pdf

 

[HoosierMark]

Here is a radical idea. Why not ask the neighbor what tools he would like you to have available? It does not matter what anyone else says to have. He is doing you a favor have what he wants. If he is doing the posts at home because you do not have a generator then do not bring one. He told you something, did you listen? Or did you just say I don’t care what you say. I will bring what I want. Listen to him and offer but do what he asks. Show some respect.

 

[HenryAZ]

All the farm people around here usually have a Miller welder/generator on the back of the flat bed or back of the big pickup. Lots of drill pipe fence in these parts. And drill pipe Little League backstops, guard rails, etc.

That's how our fencing contractor is set up. He just recently put up 2300ft of 6ft no-climb fence around 5 of our 6 acres. The no-climb has a welded top rail. He has a post notcher set up so it goes in to the receiver hitch on his truck. They rarely used the generator. All of cutting they did up by the house using a chop saw and house power.

 

[mike93lx]

your neighbor is doing the work and says that a generator would help. why would you ask this forum why instead of him?

 

[paker]

Generator: My neighbor is doing a big favor for leading this project for me with his tools and his own labor. Because he said we would need a generator, I am buying one. The reason why I asked here is to find what size I should buy, not to double check. I already asked him enough questions on fence posts/braces/how to. Lowes had this, special order return on 1/2 price sale. https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/46539-3500-watt-wireless-start-generator/ Thank you for helping me out with selection.

Hog wire fence = woven wire fence. Thank you for the education.

I have another related question. Which is "more" right, to use concrete or not? TSC video recommends concrete in sandy soil. But I also read many internet articles against concrete. Neighbor suggests quikrete for corner posts, not in-between posts. I live in Florida. Sandy soil, no frosting, high water table. Many houses have a shallow well for sprinkler. Please advise.

Corner and gate posts will be 6" (largest I can find at TSC). Others will be 4". Thank you.

PS: I read all posts and watched all linked videos. No concrete video was for a clay soil. Does this apply to sandy soil? TSC video differentiates sandy soil from clay soil.

 

[Spareparts]

I have that generator, like I said before a 3500 watt generator was the normal standby, the one I have will startup my air compressor and when it tries to restart after air gets used it won't do it, just spins slow and pop's the reset, these are both new, and the compressor when operated in the shop operates as it is supposed to. Took the gen set back and got the 5500watt unit works great. I got both of these unit's for the pulling trailer but also for backup for the house/shop. Look to the future, what else will I be using it for in the future.

 

[Retlaw 66]

Generator: ..... Lowes had this, special order return on 1/2 price sale. https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/46539-3500-watt-wireless-start-generator/ .....

Price? Going price for something similar is about $280. A Harbor Freight version also has a 220v outlet.

 

[nadogail]

I am building fences, occasionally, and using the steel load beams from pallet racks for posts.

My generator powers my welder, air compressor, saws, and whatever.