USEFUL MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2, 2 January 1903, Page 6

USEFUL MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES.

SPLICING AND COILING WIRE,

There are numerous methods of splicing wire for fencing purposes, and every man has his particular choice. The South Australian Agricultural Department's "Journal" publishes what is considered four of the best kinds of splice. Fig. 1 represents the "knot splice," now almost universally used. It is far better adapted to wire that is not pliable, and

somewhat brittle, than any other.! Fig. 2 also represents a "knot splice," j but not so good as Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is the "loop and twist" splice, often used, but not so good as the preceding splice. Fig 4.—The "Loop" Splice. Tbis splice is objected to principally on account of its liability to Vreak under sudden pressure, and the fact of one wire being liable to exit the other. Fig. s.—The "Telegraph" Splice: This is the oldest of all splices, and one that can only be recommended where new wire is used, as the short turns necessary to make it generally cause the wire to break, sometimes when one-half the splice has been completed. The "knot" . -splice is probably the best of them all. In the first place is far easier to do, and; when done, it is the most secure, and qui:e as neat. Splicing , i 3 a thing that should always be properly and carefully done. Wires have been seen to break as often as five or six times at the same splice during the process of straining. This, however, has been during cold, frosty weather, when it is advisable to carry" a tin of hot coals to warm the wire before commencing operations. A tin such as is used by the tinsmiths will answer the purpose admirably, and save a great deal of unnecessary labour and loss of time. The accompanying sketch shows a good and cheap method for coiling wire from fencing that is required to be removed. The features of this method are that any handy man can make one, and it coils the wire neatly and just as tight as when it comes from the manufacturer. The spool is cut from a solid gum spar, say, 18 to 20 inches thick, then hollowed out in the centre, and bored for the axle, then cut in halves, as shown at A, and the hardwood battens are then secured to this by two £ inch bolts to spool; ■when the spool is full with wire the two bolts are loosened and the spool forced apart, and the coil of wire is tied before removing.