Brace Post

If you want to build a good fence, you have to start with a good brace post. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the effort you put in your brace posts will determine the longevity of your fence line. 

Today we set out to build an H-brace. While ranching in Montana, we built a lot of Jack-braces. Those just had one vertical post and a diagonal post that drove into the ground. Whatever the style, the point of a brace post is to stand strong as the rest of the fencing is stretched off of it. 

Years ago, when we had the pivot sprinkler set up, it ran into the neighbors south fence line. He was generous enough to just move the fence so we could keep farming. Now that our pivot is where it needs to be, we can rebuild the fence in its proper place. 

When we had the post driver on the tractor we set these two posts in the ground. Most brace posts are built out of wood. But when you have a little pipe laying around and a welder handy, you might as well use steel. 

Once the vertical posts are set, the horizontal pipe needs to be saddled. 

Clean it up good. The more work can do before you head to the field, the better. 

Safety first. This dry grass is like gasoline to a welder's spark. Dad took time to water things down before we got to work, then was on fire watch until the job was done. 

Finding the right heat in pipe welding is key. The fine tune selector really helps us dial it in. 

A lot of times I'll just weld over the rust. But in a scenario like this, it makes sense to weld it right. 

Once set, we welded it in place. There is always the question as to whether to run the pipe with the contour of the land are set it level. We opted for level. 

Should hold. 

Giddy up. 

If you build an H-brace out of wood, you need to run wire from corner to corner to keep it tight. With steel, there's no need. 

It may look simple, but this brace post represents a lot our our little ranch. All the work we have done on the corrals began with the need to move the pivot sprinkler out of the neighbor’s pasture. We've arrived. One small step for a rancher. One giant leap for the ranch. Good fences do make good neighbors. But if your want to build a good fence, you better start with a good brace post.