Cutting up old fencing

[rootytoot]

I think that I'm leaning toward the small (14" handle) bolt cutters after seeing them mentioned a couple times. I've used lineman's pliers before, and they work, but I think that the 8" handles are going to be making my hands and wrists sore - they're basically a one-handed tool, whereas the bolt cutters give more leverage and you use two hands. The grinder idea is good, but unfortunately I don't have a portable grinder and 110V is a long ways away. I also have this vision of an oxy-acetylene cutting torch, but I'm not prepared to spend those bucks, either .

Once I get 'em in manageable bundles I will take the FEL and mash 'em flat.

Kurt

 

[forgeblast]

If its a lot of fencing that will get old quick using hand tools (have done it, not fun), something 18v that will zip through them will make it a much easier job.

 

[Richard]

Buy a trashed out rotary mower or perhaps tiller.

Engage said impliment & drive over the pile, allowing said pile to wrap itself around the mower/tiller in a vice like death grip.

Load mower/tiller onto truck & dump at metal salvage.


You can guarantee perfect results and a VERY tighly wound spool of wire if you buy a brand new mower/tiller. I am sure there is a correlation of quality of bind verses cost.

 

[skspurling]

Harbor Freight has "Lobster Claw" pliers. Mostly use them for cutting large guage copper wire, but they should snip through regular fencing wire easy. They are also cheap when you get the HF stuff. They have the large curved pincer looking blades. I think that would eat through that wire pretty easily.

 

[Mace Canute]

I think that I'm leaning toward the small (14" handle) bolt cutters after seeing them mentioned a couple times. I've used lineman's pliers before, and they work, but I think that the 8" handles are going to be making my hands and wrists sore - they're basically a one-handed tool, whereas the bolt cutters give more leverage and you use two hands. The grinder idea is good, but unfortunately I don't have a portable grinder and 110V is a long ways away. I also have this vision of an oxy-acetylene cutting torch, but I'm not prepared to spend those bucks, either .

Once I get 'em in manageable bundles I will take the FEL and mash 'em flat.

Kurt

A few years back I helped a friend clean out a bunch of old barb wire fence and a bunch of page wire fence. We used 9 inch Lineman's pliers (Kleins) to cut everything, no problems. A small set of 14" aluminum handled bolt cutters would be light and easy to use and would definitely cut easier than pliers and having a set might not be a bad idea for the times when you do find you need to snip something that is indeed too tough for pliers.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think the quality of whatever you buy to cut with has a lot to do with your satisfaction. I have some sorry bolt cutters that aren't good for anything. What would be good would be something that had the leverage of pruning shears, but was tough enough to cut nails. I don't know where you'd find that kind of beast.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Beg, borrow, buy or rent a generator.
The grinder with a cutting blade will be much faster than the bolt cutters. If the pile is as big a mess as it sounds, you'll be happy you did.

 

[riptides]

Not a fun job. I have been doing this part-time for five years. I have some bolt cutters, my tractors, a burn pile and some metal garbage cans.

If I can cut it and roll it - I Do. I place the "rolled" wire in the metal can, as best I can and compress it with a 2X4. I can get a lot of wire into the can. Once there I take it to the dump.

If I can't cut and roll, I pull the posts and burn them. I then mash the pile with the FEL and go around cutting the stragglers returning them to the can.

I wear leathers, eye protection and usually am on my best behaviour pulling and cutting wire. It can go every which way.

The metal can method has served me well.

 

[2manyrocks]

Are you current on your tetanus shot?

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Are you current on your tetanus shot?

:thumbsup: That's thinking ahead LOL.