Neighbor is hard on fence

[bcp]

I use some ratchet style, but don't see how they can be put on a slack wire without cutting. Maybe mine are different.

I'd buy a box of these, instead.



Here's one source.

https://www.enasco.com/p/Jake’s-Heavy-Duty-5-16-dia-Clips---Wire-Tighteners+C30872N

Bruce

 

[GLyford]

That also looks like it would work well. Can you install it with fencing pliers or a screwdriver in the loop?

Just found a video of the other style going on the middle of a wire...looks like you also need a handle to install, which I had not realized.

Wire Strainer, XT1 Ratchet (FST) - YouTube

 

[Ritothebull]

You just need to start a rumor that a crazy person owns that land, when I was a kid we used to ride our dirt bikes and would cut through farms to get to the sand pits and other areas where we used to ride. Most people didn't care back then but there was this one guy, old man Sharkey, and there was a story going around that he shot trespassers with rock salt. Well I don't know if it was true or not but we allways found another way around his place.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Show a pic of the loose wire. I'm thinking just loosen a gew staples, and use fence plyers at the end, nail that one down then hammer the others back in. Maybe put another type of wire on? I have climbed thru barb wire fences hundreds of times, never had it stretch the wire where it needed to be tightened.

 

[95XL883]

I use some ratchet style, but don't see how they can be put on a slack wire without cutting. Maybe mine are different.

I'd buy a box of these, instead.

View attachment 561870

Here's one source.

https://www.enasco.com/p/Jake’s-Heavy-Duty-5-16-dia-Clips---Wire-Tighteners+C30872N

Bruce

Thanks Bruce. Those are interesting. My wife is on her way to Tractor Supply right now to buy a couple of the ratchets so I'm going to try those first. Hopefully they don't cut or snap the wire. I'll probably buy some of Jake's as well and do a little comparison (as I suspect the fence stretching ain't over yet.)

To keep the real problem in perspective, the new owner is better than the prior. Except for some fence damage, he seems to stay on his side and I don't see evidence of anybody wandering around my ground. With the prior resident, it seems like I'd pick up a beer can every other week and little things were disturbed. And the new owner is definitely taking much better care of his property. The big oaks have been trimmed, the front door replaced, the back porch screened in, new gravel on the drive, the grass around the house is cut.

I just don't like my fence damaged. Still, in the grand scheme of things life is pretty good and I'm getting great recommendations on how to tighten the wire. As I tell the old farmers in the area, "I'm a city kid. I don't what I'm supposed to be doing but I'm going to keep trying things till something works."

 

[95XL883]

You just need to start a rumor that a crazy person owns that land, when I was a kid we used to ride our dirt bikes and would cut through farms to get to the sand pits and other areas where we used to ride. Most people didn't care back then but there was this one guy, old man Sharkey, and there was a story going around that he shot trespassers with rock salt. Well I don't know if it was true or not but we allways found another way around his place.

I did something similar when I bought the place. Shortly after purchase, the neighbor to the west, who has a reputation of being difficult, approached and started his schtick about people trespassing and stealing his treasures. (He is a collector of shall we say, underappreciated and highly used, merchandise.) Now I knew it was a warning to me to stay off his property but I responded with a totally serious face and stated I hoped whoever it was didn't confront me on my place. There was some back forth as he wasn't understanding my response. I finally uncovered the full size nine I carry and said I don't want to but I will do what is necessary to protect me and mine. He got the point that I wasn't going to mess with him or his and that is what I wanted in return. We actually get along pretty well now.

Actually, I get along pretty well with the few neighbors/adjoining owners. I respect them and their property and they treat me the same. It may take a little bit but I bet I'll get there with the new neighbor. The trick will be to not be a doormat without making the situation worse. It usually takes a little while but reasonable people get there.

 

[95XL883]

Show a pic of the loose wire. I'm thinking just loosen a gew staples, and use fence plyers at the end, nail that one down then hammer the others back in. Maybe put another type of wire on? I have climbed thru barb wire fences hundreds of times, never had it stretch the wire where it needed to be tightened.

I'll have to get a pic when I'm down there this weekend. What you are suggesting is what I thought I was going to have to do but I don't have the tool to do that. I was surprised at how badly it sagged once I unhung it. Most of my fencing is pretty old and I can slip through or over it with no noticeable effect but this one strand of new fence really sagged. Makes the whole fence look old. It'll be okay once I learn how to tighten it up.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If you're not keeping animals in, you can pull it tight enough to look good with fence plyers.

 

[turnkey4099]

The funny part here is I'm the city kid but I was always taught to respect others' property. I'm pretty sure the new neighbors are country folk. The more I think I about it, I'm going to ask the husband to help me re-tension that strand. I've never used a fence puller before. Maybe I'll use a piece of pipe to twist the strand tight and slide a piece of rebar in to hold it once tight. If he says no, gets defensive or aggressive I won't make a big issue; just repeat that I don't want it happening again. If he needs to cross the line to get a child's toy or something, fine, go get it, just don't damage my fence.

There are fence tensioning tools. One I like puts the "V" crimps in the wire. Doesn't take many of those to have a tight wire again. I could NOT find a commercial one so made my own with a couple pieces of angle iron welded to a vice grips. The commercial one I saw was very old and used by an old farmer fixing his fence. It had 3 rods on one jaw and 2 rods on the mating jaw. Made a very neat crimp.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks Bruce. Those are interesting. My wife is on her way to Tractor Supply right now to buy a couple of the ratchets so I'm going to try those first. Hopefully they don't cut or snap the wire. I'll probably buy some of Jake's as well and do a little comparison (as I suspect the fence stretching ain't over yet.)

To keep the real problem in perspective, the new owner is better than the prior. Except for some fence damage, he seems to stay on his side and I don't see evidence of anybody wandering around my ground. With the prior resident, it seems like I'd pick up a beer can every other week and little things were disturbed. And the new owner is definitely taking much better care of his property. The big oaks have been trimmed, the front door replaced, the back porch screened in, new gravel on the drive, the grass around the house is cut.

I just don't like my fence damaged. Still, in the grand scheme of things life is pretty good and I'm getting great recommendations on how to tighten the wire. As I tell the old farmers in the area, "I'm a city kid. I don't what I'm supposed to be doing but I'm going to keep trying things till something works."

In all reality, how do you know it was even him? It could have been someone else cutting across both of your properties.