Objective: By mastering this lesson, you will be able to complete a brace and truss assembly.

Equipment: 2ea. come-a-longs, pliers, bolt cutters, chop saw or hand saw, wire rake for the appropriate height wire, speed wrench with ½” socket, barb wire dog, T-bar, and hammer.

Key Questions:

• 1. How do I install a brace and truss?
• 2. How do I install a brace and truss with top tension wire?

How do I install a brace and truss?

1. At the mid height of the terminal post, install an end band with a rail end attached. Face the open end of the rail end toward the first line post.A brace and truss provides structural support in preventing the terminal post from being pulled over during and after stretching the chain link fabric. By anchoring at the base of the terminal post footing, the truss rod can be tightened to pull the brace rail back against the terminal post. Thus, countering the tension placed on the terminal post from the fabric. To install a brace and truss:

• 2. At the mid height of the first line post, install an end band and rail end. Face the open end of the rail end toward the terminal post. Make sure that the hole at the back of the rail end is at the bottom on both rail ends.
• 3. With the two rail ends pointed at each other, measure from inside of rail
•  end cup to inside of rail end cup. Make sure that this dimension is accurate. If the rail is cut short, it will cause the two posts to be drawn out of plumb when you apply tension on the truss rod.
• 4. Cut the rail and install between the terminal post and first line post as shown.
• 5. Place an end band at the base of the terminal post. Make sure that this band is as close to the ground as possible, leaving no space from the band to the top of the footing. If the band is too high on the post; when tension is applied on the truss rod, it will cause the terminal post to be pulled out of plumb.
• 6. Place a truss rod brace at the end band located at the base of the post. The long leg of the truss rod brace is installed in between the end band with the shorter leg pointing away from the fabric. Angle the brace toward the line post end of the brace rail.
• 7. Remove the nut from the truss rod. Slide the rod through the truss rod brace with the majority of the threads above the truss rod brace, leaving you plenty of threads for tightening. Line the other end of the rod up with the rail end at the line post side. Mark the rod at the rail end.
• 8. Now bend the rod to a 30 degree angle at the mark.
• 9. Slide the bent end of the truss rod into the back of the rail end and into the brace rail. Slide the threaded end of the truss rod into the truss rod brace.
• 10. Again, make sure that there is plenty of thread above the truss rod brace for tightening.
• 11. If the threads extend too far below the truss rod brace, you may have to re-bend your rod.
• 12. Install the nut on the truss rod and tighten until the terminal post begins to move. Tighten the nut to where the terminal post is slightly out-of-plumb.
• 13. Do not attempt to tighten the truss rod after the fabric has been stretched. You may strip the treads on the rod.

How do I install a brace and truss with top tension wire?

When using top tension wire in lieu of top rail, you will locate the brace rail one foot below the height of the fence. It is absolutely critical that you pre-tension the brace and truss to where it begins to pull the terminal post slightly out-of-plumb. Top tension wire places a significant amount of tension on the terminal post so do not attempt to tension the truss rod after stretching the top tension wire and fabric.

© 2018 The American Fence Company. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only. Commercial use, copying or distribution is prohibited without express written permission from The American Fence Company.

© 2024 The American Fence Company. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only. Commercial use, copying or distribution is prohibited without express written permission from The American Fence Company.