wire help

[jimsudz]

Should I use 12.5 high tensile or 9 gage? My local dealer likes the #9 he says it's easier to work with.Whats your opinion and why, thanks.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I like 9 gauge better than 12.5 gauge high tensile, doesn't seem to want to break as badly especially if you get a bad place in the wire.

[Amber Gold]

#9 is easier to work with, but it's heavier and costs more per foot. I think standard practice nowadays is high tensile. I've also heard #9 wire stretches over time, but I cannot confirm this.

[Thad Blaisdell]

I guess it would depend on how many taps you are going to have. For one or two mainlines it really doesnt matter. But if you are doing a lot then 12.5 is the only way to go. As long as you use the spooler.

[Parker]

I use the high tensel 12.5,,but,,I have a spinner and tend to set up fairly long lines..I think the 9ga. does stretch over time. The advantage of the 9 ga. is that you dont need a spinner to uncoil it and it is nowhere near a brittel (tends to break if it kinks) as high tinsel. I have never had a high tensel line break when a tree went across it...I have seen the 9 ga. break from trees landing on it...IMHO

[maple flats]

I used 9 the first year but changed to 12.5. I have never had a failure but I do need to re tension the 9. I use a spooler and I swage crimp holding sleeves to hold the 12.5. I had poor luck with inline tensioners and gripples are too expensive unless you only have a couple of connections to make. I use crimp sleaves, they are fast, cheap and easy. I use 3 on each junction and tension entirely with side ties until it is properly tensioned.

[jason grossman]

I would recommend the #9. it is all i use. much stronger than 12.5 . I can easily break 12.5 when running mains. #9 and 12.5 weight the same as they are sold by the pound, there is less feet in a 9 roll. The key is to get #9 high carbon! if you just order #9 you are getting soft wire and it is no good and it will stretch. almost all dealers will only have #9 soft and not the high carbon. i have not come across one yet that stocks the high carbon. you can get it through cdl. also it is CHEAPER than soft#9, go figure. I put more tension on a line than anyone i have met and i have never had and issue with #9 high carbon, however i always have issues with 12.5 high tensile and #9 soft!

[BradWilson]

I'm using the 12.5 HT with medium Gripples. The only failure I've had is the wire and it was due to kinks. Like all the others have stated, it's imperative that you use a spooler and take your time. The other thing that I've done is I've anchored the HT line every 40'-60' to a tree (see photos below) where possible and then side tied as needed. There are schools of thought that don't like using nails in trees but with long runs and changes in elevation, the anchors have been a life saver. Talking to the folks at Gripple I've added a Gripple every 100'-200' feet to add more tension. So far, so good. Even with the last wind we had I only had one line break and it took a direct hit from a very large tree.

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/th_anchor2.jpg (http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/?action=view&current=anchor2.jpg) http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/th_anchor1.jpg (http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/?action=view&current=anchor1.jpg) http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/th_anchor3.jpg (http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/?action=view&current=anchor3.jpg) http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/th_end1.jpg (http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/ac358/BradWilson101/Sugarin/?action=view&current=end1.jpg)

[maplecrest]

brad how come you used tees instead of y,s where your lat lines come into the main? sap does not like right angles

[BradWilson]

Maplecrest, those are Y's, it's just that I'm not that good with a camera. And, those aren't really laterals, they're other mains from the far side of the woods. Well, ok, they kind of are laterals now that you mention it, more like branches. I did read here that T's are not a good idea so I've stayed away from them except on the small lats of course. Thanks for checking up on me.

[lpakiz]

I see your tubing/wire supports are fairly robust....
Someone at a tubing seminar mentioned that the mainline should not be secured too strongly to it's supports so that in the event of a branch or fallen tree, the support can break and let the wire go to the ground.