We have all seen traditional H braces which were notched with a chainsaw to help support the horizontal post. Lets discuss the old way and the new way to build H braces for field fencing, as well as the prefered brace wire and "how-to" instructions.
Traditional H braces were notched with a chainsaw to help support the horizontal post, and also notched to provide the brace wires a slot to slide in. Lets discuss the old way and the new way to build H braces for field fencing.
Traditional H braces
In times past, l made H braces the way I had seen them made for many years, by notching the vertical posts to support the horizontal posts, and I also usually made a shallow cut on the low end of one vertical post and the high end of the other vertical post for the brace wires to travel as they were tightened up. The disadvantage is that it opens up more cut surfaces for water to enter and degrade the grain of the vertical posts, and also the additional expense of the large posts you need to compensate for the notching. Many times in the past we needed to buy larger diameter posts because after notching we did not leave much wood left for the horizontal post to push on.
Improved H braces
The improved H braces do not have notched vertical posts at all but the horizontal post is held in place with two 3/8 inch galvanized spikes. You can use brace pins or I actually use hot galvanized 8,10 or 12" spikes from Lowes. I drill all the way through the two vertical posts with a 3/8" ship auger bit for the two galvanized spikes. It is best to have a helper hold one end of the horizontal post approximately lined up with the hole in the opposite post, while you place your ship auger bit back through the same hole you pre drilled, line up the horizontal post and drill into to the end of the horizontal post far enough for the spike to enter. Even with this pre drilling, you will still need to drive the spike in with a hammer due to tight fit.
Recommended Brace Wire
I have used, regular 9 gauge brace wire, doubled up strands of high tensile, and also barbless barbed wire, or barbless cable from Tractor Supply. My favorite is the barbless cable , it is half the cost as an 80 rod roll is 1320 feet long and costs 59.99 or 4.5 cents per foot, while the 171 foot rolls of brace wire are 15.99 which is 9 cents per foot. The barbless cable is two strands of 12.5 gauge galvanized wire, compared to one strand of 9 gauge wire so either one are plenty strong. Besides the barbless wire being half as expensive in initial cost, it is also less wasteful because with the many rolls you will go through making braces with the standard brace wire, there will be a wasted piece at as you come to the end of each roll that is not quite long enough for one more brace. When you use eight foot horizontal posts in your braces, they require around twenty two feet of wire per brace.
Best Horizontal Posts
USDA fencing guidelines state that an H brace having a ten foot horizontal post is as strong as a double H brace using eight foot horizontal posts. I do consider the point and use ten foot long by four inch diameter on the braces that will support a gate as often as I can. There is an increased cost involved as I buy my ten foot at fourteen dollars each, and for eight foot long by five inch post which is nine and a half dollars.
