Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/55968
WORLD FENCE NEWS • MARCH 2012 • 65 Everything you need to know about loops Saw-cut short-cuts! BY BRIAN DICKSON, GENERAL MANAGER, BD LOOPS There is always a better way to complete the job! The purpose of this article is to list some "tricks" that have saved in- stallers time installing saw-cut loops. These tips should benefit new and vet- eran installers alike, giving them an edge over the competition. To install a saw-cut loop, a groove must be cut. Choosing the correct size saw blade is important to ensure there is enough space for the sealant to prop- erly flow when applied. A 1/8" blade cuts a groove too narrow for thick sealant to properly flow and encapsulate the saw-cut wires. A 3/16" blade or larger has enough space for sealant to flow. BD Loops recommends the use of a 3/16" saw blade; 3/16" blades cost less, put less bog on your saw-cut ma- chine, and require 25% less loop sealant to fill than a 1/4" groove. If the sealant doesn't flow prop- erly, air pockets will form within the saw-cut groove, a leading cause in loop failures. (See Figure 1. To view a test conducted by BD Loops observing the effects of air pockets, visit www.BDLoops.com, "BD Loops Tests and Results" section, and reference the 1/8" groove test.) cleaning air wand or similar tool, is the best way to clean out and quickly dry a saw-cut groove (See Figure 2). Suck- ing up water and debris with a shop vac or using a leaf blower to dry the groove takes more time, but is more ef- ficient that letting the sun and air dry the groove. Installing a saw-cut loop can be as easy as dropping it into the groove if a preformed saw-cut loop is used. Wrapping loops by hand is time consuming. Using a BD Loops preformed saw-cut loop means you don't have to wrap the loop in the field, twist the lead-in wires, or make a wider saw-cut groove for twisted lead-in, and you don't have to install backer rod. All the connections in our loops are soldered, the seal is watertight, and each loop is tested three ways before leaving the factory, all to ensure relia- bility. Once the loop is in place, a loop sealant should be applied. The use of a DOT approved loop sealant like Chemque, Bondo, or Ruscoe brands will save a lot of time in installation and prevent early replacement. These brands have a high viscos- ity, don't crack over time, and have tools designed for them to make the in- stallation process much easier. For instance, if the proper sealant tip is used, the groove can be sealed from the bottom up, allowing a seal with just one pass. There are many methods used to clean and dry a saw-cut groove, some better than others. Cleaning and dry- ing water and debris from a groove is very important if you want to install a loop properly, according to industry standards. If a loop is installed in a groove that is wet and filled with de- bris, the wire has a high chance of be- coming nicked, and loop sealant will not harden properly or air bubbles may form. The use of a tool that centralizes air flow, like the BD Loops groove Normal methods require multiple passes because time must be given for the thick sealant to flow around the wires. (See Figure 3.) BD Loops has found that 15-20 minutes per loop can be saved in the sealant application step with the use of a properly sized sealant tip. Loop sealant is often applied with the installer on their hands and knees, but please save your knees and back by using a rolling work seat, sometimes called rolling garden seat. (See Figure 4.) Rolling work seats can be found at stores like Harbor Freight and Home Depot. Loop sealants take time to harden; you can leave the job quicker and Figure 3 Figure 1 contin ued on pa g e 76 Figure 2