Ranch burned up!

[Blazey10]

I haven't been around on the forum much because last month back we had a pretty bad fire(Wild Cat Fires) in west Texas. I think it was around 168k acres burned up, but not one structure though. Our place +600acres, burned 100%! Anyways Dad and I are getting material to build new fence around the ranch. What was my Grand dad thinking for using cedar posts 70yrs ago (That was sarcasam, posts were solid up until their demise)
So now buying t-posts @ $4.00 ea. and 2 3/8"pipe for $ 1.30/ft.
I found a phneumatic t-post driver through Rohrer manufacturing $450.00. I'll let ya'll know how it goes. Thank your volunteer fire dept. and Red Cross every now and then.;)

[SidecarFlip]

I heard about the fires, I have some customers down your way.

My friend has a Worksaver 3 point mounted driver, I've borrowed it and it works very well.

[Jim-Tx]

Sorry to hear of your loss Blazey10. Fences are $$$$ and HARD WORK to build. I've done my share.

This is the worst fire season I've ever seen in Texas. We've had Texas Forest Service tankers flying out of Abilene for months fighting the fires. Let me know how that post driver works. I've looked at those myself. They look pretty tempting considering the price and they can be used by 1 person. I was thinking about a gasoline powered compressor on an ATV. A person could get anywhere to drive posts.

[Rbeckett]

Blazey, the fires suck but having to refence it all is even worse. Good thing you and family are well and that you have a place to stay still, especially while you and dad work on the fences. Good luck and hope the fence project goes quick and easy for you and yours.
Bob

[Blazey10]

Thanks for the great words. I use to contract fence building. Use to build game fences, so we know the ins and outs. I'm going to build and paint all the H-braces and stretch posts here at the house. punch holes in the ground and "set it and forget it". Only thing is I don't have an arc welder here, just my wire welder. This will cause my H-braces to be a little pricey, considering wire and gas. Somewhere I have a little Lincoln cracker box ac/dc welder. This will make it more economical with some 7018 rods. Don't ya think?

[Tritium]

I have 2 of the post Rohrer drivers. They work great. I initially purchased a heavy one to drive oil field pipe for fence corners / stringers and purchased a T-Post adapter for it. Later I got the dedicated t-post driver and it is a pleasure to use being much lighter. We have had fires all around but so far have escaped being burned this season by at least 10 miles in every direction.

Thurmond

[SidecarFlip]

Thanks for the great words. I use to contract fence building. Use to build game fences, so we know the ins and outs. I'm going to build and paint all the H-braces and stretch posts here at the house. punch holes in the ground and "set it and forget it". Only thing is I don't have an arc welder here, just my wire welder. This will cause my H-braces to be a little pricey, considering wire and gas. Somewhere I have a little Lincoln cracker box ac/dc welder. This will make it more economical with some 7018 rods. Don't ya think?

I have one too. I bought it about 40 years ago, my first welder. We call them 'buzz boxes' or 'Tombstones' up here.

I can't imagine wire welding outside without an elaborate curtain unless you use fluxcore.

[Blazey10]

Oh no! I wouldn't think of wire welding anywhere with gas outside of A/C shop.:cool:.

[Jim-Tx]

Is your pipe good and clean or rusty? If it's rusty I'd go with 6011 for the corners/braces/etc.

I haven't tried to compare costs between using wire/gas and stick. I'm taking your word that it's more $$ to use wire. However, it's much faster to use wire so the time difference might be worth the cost.

[whateg0]

If the pipe is very rusty at all, I'd seriously consider using FC wire if you decide to use wire at all. Chipping slag is a lot better than having to clean up old pipe enough to weld with solid wire and C25, IMHO.

Dave

[Shorts]

Yukky. Those fires did a number on things for sure. Yall have a lot of work out there to get back. Blazey, did you find your stick welder?

[Blazey10]

I found it. Haven't used for well over 10 yrs. Blew out the mud dobbers nests ond spider webs and now hums like it's brand new.:)

[Shorts]

I found it. Haven't used for well over 10 yrs. Blew out the mud dobbers nests ond spider webs and now hums like it's brand new.:)


haha Good deal. Sounds the same condition as mine was when I picked it up. Guess mud daubers know a good home when they see it. I was going to offer my ac225 if you needed. It'd be the least I could do to help. I'm over in Grapevine.

[mc6]

I've got three sons that could use some hands-on with fencing. Let me know if you need any extra help. We are in Saginaw.

[Blazey10]

Thanks for all the support we've got it under control. But now I have so many micro projects to get done before I can start building fence!:eek: To use my new T-post driver I need a portabe air compressor. Already have air tanks, 6.5 hp motor. I just orderd a unloader to bypass air and engine idler modulator thingy! I'll take a picture sometime.