ryanp Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I found something in an attic today that I have not run into it before. Every fourth or fifth rafter there is a taut galvanized wire connecting the rafter on one side of the attic with its mate on the opposite side. This house was built in 1910. It almost looks like barbed wire without the barbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynesoper Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 pics? What you are describing is confusing. Are you taking about the same rafter and it's connection on either side of the home or are the wires running at 90 degrees to the rafters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I've seen that in old houses; I think it was intended to function as a collar tie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I like Kurt's answer but my first impulse, until I heard it was like barbed wire without the barbs, was an old radio antenna. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 The old radio antennaes I see are a single continuous piece of wire running down the length of the attic. I've never seen them in pieces like this was described. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Saunders Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Maybe they had lots of radios. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Most entenna wire is pretty thin, too. The wire they use for barbed wire is pretty strong stuff. If it were something like that, I can imagine it being used as a tension chord between two rafters. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanp Posted August 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 pics? What you are describing is confusing. Are you taking about the same rafter and it's connection on either side of the home or are the wires running at 90 degrees to the rafters? Here is a picture. Click to Enlarge 52.63 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 It is #9 (not sure of name) wire. I use it quite often when building concrete forms. You can also see it used in some chain link fencing (for lateral support). If you wrap it around two opposing points (creating a loop), take a screwdriver, or any piece of metal, you can twist the wire. The more you twist, the tighter it gets. I use it in forms to stop them from blowing out. The stuff comes in big rolls. From the picture, it looks like they were used for collar ties. Yes, it looks just like barbed wire without the barbs (after being twisted). I'm sure if you look somewhere in the middle, you will see where something was inserted to twist it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I'll bet it was an attempt at a repair and was not done when constructed. Any sign of the walls leaning out? Any gaps where rafters meet the ridge? Here's another bailing wire repair: Click to Enlarge 49.91 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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