Chain Link Fence Installation Manual
[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9
]
Install Top Rail:
 
Slide top rail through a couple loop caps and
butt end firmly into rail end cup. Adjust height of rail end cup if necessary. Tighten rail
end cup firmly.
Some top rail has a 'swedged' end, which tapers down so it will fit into another
piece of rail. Fit the non-swedged end into the rail end cup at the end or corner post.
 
Add sections of rail, sliding each
non-swedged end into a swedged end. Be certain to push rails toward your beginning point
to 'seat' them all the way into each other. Push firmly. If the top rail has no swedged
end then you need a 'sleeve' that acts as a coupling.
Add additional top rail until you reach the
next terminal post, i.e. end, corner, gate post.
Cut excess rail off with hack saw or pipe cutter.
Mark the cut-off point carefully so the rail will fit snugly into the rail end cup.
Any slack in your entire length of rail will allow the chain link, when stretched tight,
to pull the end posts in towards each other. Tip: Each piece of rail
should be supported by two posts. Do not cut rail so that a seam will be in-between the
last line post and terminal post. This point will be weak and tend to sag.
Install top rail in all stretches of fence.
At this point, visually check the height of line posts once top rail is installed. If a
post is too high, remove rail and trim as necessary.
If a post is 1/4" too short you may also
cut a sliver of pipe, the same diameter size as the line post and slip it under the loop
cap.
NOTE:
Industrial job sites occasionally substitute a top tension wire in lieu of top rail to cut
down on cost. See page 6 for details.
 
|
Related Images:
(Click to Enlarge)
Loop caps simply slide on top of posts. Top rail slides through
horizontally.
Offset of loop cap faces 'out'. This helps keep the framework flush to the
fabric side of the chain link fence.
Top rail sits on top of line posts and
runs 'to' terminal posts.
1-3/8" and 1-5/8", common sizes for top rail, are available
swedged or plain end. Plain end top rail requires sleeves as shown above.
Sleeve installed.
Chain link fence top rail with plain ends
will require top rail sleeves. SS40 and WT40 heavy industrial top rail is only available
with plain ends.
SS20 top rail and lighter is available
with a swedged end, a sleeve will not be required.
A hacksaw, chop saw, sawzall, pipe cutter, or portable band saw are used to
cut top rail.
Chain link fence with top rail finished.
Once framed, chain link fabric may be stretched.
Next Page:
Learn How To install Bottom Tension Wire on a Chain Link Fence
After chain link fence has been framed
with top rail, or braces and trusses, bottom tension wire may be stretched from terminal
post to terminal post.
Chain Link bottom tension wire will be
wrapped to a 5/16" x 1-1/4" nut and bolt secured to post with a brace band.
|
