Materials and Tools Needed

The Border Fence Project invites you to contribute new and used fencing materials and tools to help get the job done. We are in need of:

• regular wire, about 9 gauge, and three-point barbed wire
• chain link, poultry netting, or security fence, 4-5 feet high
• t-posts, 7 feet high
• metal pipes, 1-1/2" in diameter, 10 feet high
• concrete mix (sand and gravel included)
• hog rings - 11.5 gauge
• 80W solar panels
• 800W wind mill generators
• 100-200m range active infrared cameras
• 125 Ah marine batteries

• Auger powerheads with 6" augers
• cable cutters
• large buckets
• hoes
• putty knives
• levelers
• hammers
• hog ring pliers
• measuring tape
• work gloves
• tool bibs
• hard hats
• gps receivers
• 300 cc 4x4 600 lb. capacity ATV
• small backhoe or tractor with fence post driver, Auger ideal as well

The wireless camera with microphone we are most interested in is a weatherproof wireless color unit, a similar model of interest is offered at http://www.HuttonOnline.com. It can send a signal up to 16 miles away, with as many as 100 cameras per receiver station. This particular unit is only $2999.00, and we will use one (2 cameras, one microphone, one solar panel and/or wind generator) for up to every 1/8 mile of fencing. If you have different types of wireless cameras with receivers you can contribute, please let us know. A 90 degree lens angle range would be ideal. These units are small enough we can camouflage, place on private property, and protect from weather, theft, damage, etc. Solar panels will be protected from sharp-shooters in Mexico with semi-cylindrical shields.

The most useful tool for drilling holes for fence posts is an Auger powerhead and drill "bit", as shown here. Almost any size and horsepower will work, we recommend the Earthquake model, common to major home improvement stores, with 3.4 hp, one-man or two-man, which can accommodate 2 to 10 inch Augers or drill "bits". 10 inch Augers would be most ideal. We are also looking at a method of using a backhoe or tractor with a fence post driver and Auger for driving fence posts into ground and digging holes, as well as a tool for laying barbed wire in a quick and efficient manner. Any advice or contributed tools would be greatly appreciated.

We are currently using ATV's for carrying u-posts, tools, and carrying and laying barbed wire. A 617 cc 4x4 model like the one to the left can be purchased for $9000 or used ones can be donated. We are in the process of modifying the back end to hold a cable cart that uses PVC to secure t-posts and a series of metal dowels that secure barbed wire rolls and allow them to spin as wire is laid out.

The new apparatus could align 5 rows of barbed wire to complete half a row of fencing with each pass, as opposed to a tractor which can use 10 rolls of wire, and can secure a heavy mechanical post driver. With this unit to the right, we anticipate a team of four adults can build half-a-mile of fencing per day. Augers can also be rolled for drilling holes for fence posts at 90 degree turns and the four holes for the camera tower, all requiring cement.