How difficult is it to install chain link fence?

[cgott42]

Every time I have put up a wire fence on my place that is what I have used. Belongs to the neighbors and I just borrow it when needed. Just put the wire between the two 2X4's and bolt the 2X4's together, makes a super clamp. I use a come along to then pull the 2X4's, works great.

cool - sjust so that I understand: Do you mean to use 2 - 2x4's as posts, and avoid the tension wires, other poles by putting the wire between the 2x4's? How long of a stretch between posts does it keep it taught?Also what is meant by "I use a come along" ?

thx

 

[aczlan]

cool - sjust so that I understand: Do you mean to use 2 - 2x4's as posts, and avoid the tension wires, other poles by putting the wire between the 2x4's? How long of a stretch between posts does it keep it taught?Also what is meant by "I use a come along" ?
thx

One board on each side of the fence wire at the end (making a sandwich), then the comealong goes on the boards. That way you can stretch the wire without bending the snot out of it.

Aaron Z

 

[cgott42]

One board on each side of the fence wire at the end (making a sandwich), then the comealong goes on the boards. That way you can stretch the wire without bending the snot out of it.

Aaron Z

thx - is this an example of what you mean
Amazon.com: Torin T32052 2 Ton Comealong with 2 Hooks: Home Improvement
and (to confirm) once I have the chain link between the 2x4's I attach the hooks from this (comealong) and use it to pull /stretch the chain link tight, then bolt the 2x4's together?
Do I attach the chain link to the 2x4's themselves - or just being sandwiched between the 2x4's is enough?

 

[aczlan]

thx - is this an example of what you mean
Amazon.com: Torin T32052 2 Ton Comealong with 2 Hooks: Home Improvement
and (to confirm) once I have the chain link between the 2x4's I attach the hooks from this (comealong) and use it to pull /stretch the chain link tight, then bolt the 2x4's together?

Not quite, you attach the 2x4s to the fence THEN attach the comealong to the 2x4s and tighten the comealong to stretch the fence. Once the fence is stretched, you remove the boards.
If you attach the comealong directly to the fence it will just pull in that one spot and will bend the fence all up.

Do I attach the chain link to the 2x4's themselves - or just being sandwiched between the 2x4's is enough?

I would use 8-10 3.5" deck screws evenly spaced along the boards to hold them together.

Aaron Z

 

[JDgreen227]

Not quite, you attach the 2x4s to the fence THEN attach the comealong to the 2x4s and tighten the comealong to stretch the fence. Once the fence is stretched, you remove the boards.
If you attach the comealong directly to the fence it will just pull in that one spot and will bend the fence all up.

I would use 8-10 3.5" deck screws evenly spaced along the boards to hold them together.

Aaron Z

I wondered if it would be possible to use maybe 3-4 6-inch C-clamps to hold the 2X4's together....and rather than use a fence post to attach the anchor end of the come-a-long maybe you could use the hitch of a truck or the 3-point drawbar of a tractor?

 

[aczlan]

I wondered if it would be possible to use maybe 3-4 6-inch C-clamps to hold the 2X4's together....and rather than use a fence post to attach the anchor end of the come-a-long maybe you could use the hitch of a truck or the 3-point drawbar of a tractor?

I would use a pair of 2x6s rather than 2x4s if using c-clamps, but that could work.

Aaron Z

 

[flyerdan]

When I worked for a fence company I made dozens of these out of scrap material. Much quicker than the 2x4 sandwich and you can use it in mid run with a tension bar to tie off to line posts.

 

[JDgreen227]

When I worked for a fence company I made dozens of these out of scrap material. Much quicker than the 2x4 sandwich and you can use it in mid run with a tension bar to tie off to line posts.

That is one heck of a good idea !!! Thanks for sharing the tip here !!! Even if you didn't have a welder to make something like that you could just use long threaded J-bolts and drill thru the post or angle iron to fasten them on.

 

[bcp]

I made mine with about 4ft of 1 1/4 pipe, 4 J bolts and one large eye bolt. Works fine and cost little. It hooks on a tension bar you slip into the mesh. Don't use it directly on the wire.

Bruce

 

[sodamo]

Thanks Bill

Overview of my project. Thinking I'm going with 5ft mesh