How to Stretch a Chainlink Fence
Stretching chain-link fence is not very difficult, but the job can be done much better when you have a mechanical advantage. Since you are essentially trying to stretch metal, it can be near impossible to get all the kinks and ripples out by hand.
When stretching the chain-link mesh, you will need a helper in order to unravel it and pull it taught.
Things You Will Need
- Fence posts and rails in place
- Chain-link mesh
- Tension bars
- Brace bands
- Pulling rod
- Come-along
- Galvanized wire
- Pliers
Tip
Once you have pulled mesh reasonably taught by hand, you may want to attach it to top rail with the wire at that point. This can make the mesh easier to keep in place while pulling taught.
Warning
Be sure that the cement used to hold the posts in is dry (usually one to three days after it is poured) before stretching the mesh attached to the posts. If the cement is not dry, you will end up with an slanted fence.
Stretching Chain-Link Fencing
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Roll out the chain-link mesh against the fence frame starting at one corner post. You will probably need an assistant to help with rolling it out. Slide a tension bar through the links at the end of the fencing. Allow the mesh to be able to slide along the ground.
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Hold the tension bar in place along the pole and fasten to the pole with brace bands spaced 1 foot apart. Don’t tighten the nuts completely until you are satisfied with the way the poles, mesh and tension bar look.
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Stretch the mesh out between the corner posts with a pulling rod. Get the fence reasonably taught by hand wearing gardening gloves.
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Hook one end of a come-along to a brace band on a corner post. Attach the other end to a pulling rod that is woven through the links of the chain-link fencing. Crank the come-along until all ripples are out and the mesh is completely taught.
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Attach the stretched mesh to other corner post, slide the tension bar in the end and fasten with brace bands.
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Finish the job by attaching the chain-link fencing to the top rail, using pliers to attach it with the galvanized wire.
The Drip Cap
- Stretching chain-link fence is not very difficult, but the job can be done much better when you have a mechanical advantage.
- When stretching the chain-link mesh, you will need a helper in order to unravel it and pull it taught.
- Hold the tension bar in place along the pole and fasten to the pole with brace bands spaced 1 foot apart.
- Attach the other end to a pulling rod that is woven through the links of the chain-link fencing.
References
- "Fences, Arbors andTrellises", Fran Donegan, Creative Homeowner; May 2008
Writer Bio
Greg McGuire graduated from Butler University in 2005. McGuire grew up in the Chicagoland area and he enjoys all things sports and talking politics. He currently lives with his wife and twin boys, Cameron and Owen, in Indianapolis. He has been published in "The Daily Sun" in Boone County, Ind., the "Butler Collegian" in Indianapolis, and eHow and Answerbag.
Photo Credits
- green chain link fence image by GoodMood Photo from Fotolia.com
- green chain link fence image by GoodMood Photo from Fotolia.com
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