Fencing Tools

[KYDan]

I am planning replacing about 1,500' of field fence this winter and early spring and I thought I would share some things that interested me regarding field fence. I am using RedTop 48", 9 gauge top & bottom wires, 11 gauge stays, 6" square. The last fence I used was Baekert and it was/is worthless. After 7 years it has mostly rusted away and the deer walk through it like it wasn't there! I set 6" treated line post 16' apart with heavy metal studded T posts at 8' between the wooden posts. The corners were/are 10" treated posts. The posts are still fine. When I was installing this fence 7 years ago I broke my faithful, ancient fencing pliers and lost my linesman pliers as well. I bought a pair of each at Harbor Freight a couple of years ago and I became angry everytime that I attempted to use them. Neither pair will cut 9 gauge wire and the linesmen's pliers won't even cut 11 gauge! Plus they won't open easily even after extended use. I started clearing out the old fence line preparing it for the new fence and I used the old HF pliers today. Junk! I started looking online for some good fence and linesmen pliers. I was going with Irwin until I saw they were made in China. No thanks. I called my local Do It Best Hardware and they have the Irwin and their housebrand pliers, both made in China. However, they also have 9 1/2" Channel Lock linesmen's pliers in stock. I went to check them out as well as the Irwin and their housebrand. Their housebrand were identical to the POC (piece O' Cra_) ones that I have. The Irwins were marginally better. The Channel Lock linesmen's pliers were excellent and I bought them ($30). I just orded a set of the Channel Lock fencing pliers from Amazon.com and I expect them to be as good as the linesmen's pliers. They were marginally cheaper than the linesmen's that I bought retail. BTW, Channel Lock Tools are still made in the US, Pennsylvania! End of rant.

 

[bullbreaker]

I have the https://www.all-spec.com/products/85.html channelocks and Lowes(China) Kobalts I believe they call-em both work great ! The Kobalts were like almost $14.
I was thinking about making me my on version of the Texas Fence Fixer out of a pair of old bolt cutters.

Texas Fence Fixer | LivestockShed.com - YouTube

Boone

 

[KYDan]

I have the https://www.all-spec.com/products/85.html channelocks and Lowes(China) Kobalts I believe they call-em both work great ! The Kobalts were like almost $14.
I was thinking about making me my on version of the Texas Fence Fixer out of a pair of old bolt cutters.

Our local Lowe's does not stock the fencing pliers and I knew they were made in China, therefore, I did not pursue it. The Irwin Tools fencing pliers were decent, but I opted to spend the extra dollars in the hope that I would receive an excellent product. The Channel Lock linesmen's pliers were head and shoulders above the decent Irwin linesmen's pliers.

 

[QRTRHRS]

This company has a good selection of fencing tools along with every thing else in fencing. They have a warehouse in Indiana I think so you should get your order next day even with regular shipping.

 

[mjw357]

You want good linesman pliers, get Klein. They will cut 16d nails all day.

 

[DT86]

This company has a good selection of fencing tools along with every thing else in fencing.

YES! I buy most all my fence tools from Kencove, really good people to deal with and fast shipping. The Hayes Chain Grab and the EZE-Pull Fence Tool are the best fence tools I own, I remember them being cheaper though. If you are building much fence they are worth every penny.

 

[KYDan]

I forgot to add that I am trying the fence unroller/stretcher from TSC this time. I have not used one before, but since this is a one man project I am game for a try. I will report on it after I use it. Thanks for all the input, it has been helpful. I am always open to innovations and things that make life easier/better/more productive, etc.

 

[EMB5530]

I am planning replacing about 1,500' of field fence this winter and early spring and I thought I would share some things that interested me regarding field fence. I am using RedTop 48", 9 gauge top & bottom wires, 11 gauge stays, 6" square. The last fence I used was Baekert and it was/is worthless. After 7 years it has mostly rusted away and the deer walk through it like it wasn't there! I set 6" treated line post 16' apart with heavy metal studded T posts at 8' between the wooden posts. The corners were/are 10" treated posts. The posts are still fine. When I was installing this fence 7 years ago I broke my faithful, ancient fencing pliers and lost my linesman pliers as well. I bought a pair of each at Harbor Freight a couple of years ago and I became angry everytime that I attempted to use them. Neither pair will cut 9 gauge wire and the linesmen's pliers won't even cut 11 gauge! Plus they won't open easily even after extended use. I started clearing out the old fence line preparing it for the new fence and I used the old HF pliers today. Junk! I started looking online for some good fence and linesmen pliers. I was going with Irwin until I saw they were made in China. No thanks. I called my local Do It Best Hardware and they have the Irwin and their housebrand pliers, both made in China. However, they also have 9 1/2" Channel Lock linesmen's pliers in stock. I went to check them out as well as the Irwin and their housebrand. Their housebrand were identical to the POC (piece O' Cra_) ones that I have. The Irwins were marginally better. The Channel Lock linesmen's pliers were excellent and I bought them ($30). I just orded a set of the Channel Lock fencing pliers from Amazon.com and I expect them to be as good as the linesmen's pliers. They were marginally cheaper than the linesmen's that I bought retail. BTW, Channel Lock Tools are still made in the US, Pennsylvania! End of rant.

Darn shame I live in Kansas but had a job near Dewit Nebraska which is where Irwin Tools was located. My co-worker and I took a tour of their plant for fun and it was very interesting and they were all really nice but very worried about losing their jobs to china and it looks like it happened because I do not think that you can find an Irwin tool that is made in the USA anymore.
I dont know about any of you guys but this is BS
I say try to buy American as much as possible.
I know it is not always possible but try to make the effort
good luck w/ the fence

 

[SandburRanch]

As much as I dislike fleabay in some respects I find myself searching there for good used vintage tools that were made in the USA. I see some nice older fence pliers listed now.