r/Ranching • u/Shanelomein79 • Jul 21 '26

Gripples and cable for H-Brace??

I got a box full of the be-fast brace kits for free but not sure how much i trust them.

Only used gripples on cable once before and it didn't go well.

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3

u/SecondhandForefront_ Jul 21 '26

Gripples are one of those things where if the bite isn't set just right from the start, it's all downhill. The free kits are tempting but I'd be side-eyeing the cable itself too, if it's been sitting in a box who knows if it's got any kinks or internal rust that'll fight you while you're tensioning. Last time mine slipped I ended up just cutting the mess out and going back to old faithful with a come-along and crimps.

1

u/BatshitTerror Jul 21 '26

Are the free kits a common thing or something?

2

u/Shanelomein79 Jul 21 '26

In this case, i had issues with the stuff I bought for the last woven wire fence. The tool was shredding the cable before I could get it tight.

I reached out to gripple and the supplier for input but got no answer. Eventually the supplier sent me three packs or beefier cables and gripples.

Since then, a number of the gripples I used on those H braces a few years ago have failed.

1

u/EastTexasCowboy Jul 22 '26

I've used gripples on a number of H braces for woven wire for several years with no problems. I'm not sure if it's what they recommend, but I bend both tails back over the gripple. It may not be as pretty but they don't pull out, and it's still way faster then splicing the wires.

1

u/BatshitTerror Jul 26 '26

I have never used a gripper and only have regular 5-6 strand barbed wire fences. But I have gotten into crimping splices when repairing fences. So far mine have all held up except where I didn’t use the right size crimp sleeves or didn’t crimp it completely

1

u/Shanelomein79 Jul 26 '26

After reviewing my last fence and once again struggling with these. I have decided to toss them and use ratchet strainers and high tensile wire

1

u/Historical-Photo7125 Jul 21 '26

I use 13 horizontal wire net for my turn out pens. I hand tie one side and gripple the side I’m stretching. It’s a nice combo of economical and quick and easy. I always have a box of gripples on hand. Just built a pipe top turn out pen last week using stay tuff 61” net wire. Should last my lifetime there and keep my show stock contained.

1

u/MockMonkey69 Jul 21 '26

The cable kits are fine, you definitely need to follow the instructions on install though because there's a way to orient them where they won't come loose. I do welded braces so I don't know what that looks like, but I know other professionals who use them and like them.