Stapling chicken wire

[Fool]

I've seen it posted that you should use screws with washers as opposed to staples to attach fencing to your run. I wonder if this is normally referring to the flimsy little wire staples.
I have a stapler that is used in construction. Staples are 16 gauge wire, 1/2" crown and the legs can be 1" to 2" long. It appears to me that with hardwire that these have a nice strong hold.

Is this the type of staple that is recommended against on this site?

If you are using standard chicken wire with staples it seems like the chicken wire would be the weak link. Is this accurate?

Thanks

 

[mchl]

your stapler will work fine, or it has for me the last five years. the other thread i think is human predators

 

[ranchhand]

You are definitely on the right track! Chicken wire is useless for protection. Those sound like some serious staples, so I vote for lots staples, with a washered screw at each corner and every 12-16 inches.

But then again, I'm a belt AND suspenders kind of gal!

 

[patandchickens]

Chickenwire is a weak link no matter WHAT it's attached with. Don't use it, IMHO. Raccoons and dogs and such can simply rip holes right in the middle of it. Seriously. (Most of the chickenwire being manufactured today, anyhow)

For OTHER kinds of fence mesh:

Those sound like they may be serious-enough staples. 1" hammer-in fence staples work fine, yours might too.

A reasonable test would be to take a scrap piece of whatever wire mesh you're using for your fencing and a scrap length of wood, staple the fence mesh on, then try REAL HARD to get the fencing back off. Use *both* a prybar *and* a pair of vice-grips that you pull on with all your might, pulling straight out along the axis of the staples. If it stays or if you break the fencing before you pull out the staples, it is likely okay.

What is NOT okay is normal homeowner-style staplegun staples; or upholstery U-tacks; or fence staples put in so hard that they bend or break the wires of the fence mesh.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[BarefootMom]

we use those and I like to frame it out too- add a 1x4 or a furring strip over it and screw it on for extra protection.

 

[rickerra]

I used 1/4" crown, 18gauge, 1" long staples... with my pnumatic stapler. Worked great for the hardware cloth I used.

If they ever do loosen up... you can hammer them back in or add a washer/screw at that time.

Your staples sound plenty big enough... 2" sounds overkill. Make sure you adjust your air pressure so the staples are not breaking the wire/cloth on impact.

Cheers!

 

[conschickenwire]

where did you get your construction chicken wire stapler?

 

[conny63malies]

I use regular wire staplers BUT once I got my hardware cloth stapled on I go over the edges/sides with a furring strip that is nailed and/or screwed in on top. This way a larger animal like a fog is less likely to push the cloth in.