Stretching Field Fence around a Corner

Today we are making a corner brace, made to pull our woven wire fence around. The fence will be turning about 45 degrees at this corner brace. I will also be using a stretcher bar to pull the fence tight and tension it.
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Country View Acres
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We live in southeastern Illinois on a 41 acres homestead. We just finished building our log cabin overlooking our pond. We are trying to grow our own food and raise livestock. Follow us on our journey living the rural life and developing our property and becoming more self sufficient.

[@algram224]

Everyone has the own way of doing things, but I use my tractor with chains to attach my fence stretcher, then pull past the last post and nail it to both pull post, then tie it off.

[@geraldskaggs3903]

Al Gram, that's the way I have always done it too. Works great.

[@cathiwim]

Me three!

[@chiplilley5490]

Agreed. The way to do this is to run the fence beyond the end post - tied off to the tractor or whatever. Can still use the come along to add the tension. Then cut the strands one at a time and tie off to the last post. The original amount of tension will remain.

[@raybornclark8617]

yes, we do it the same way too, this way you dont allow any slack back in the fence. The other thing is we will not pull around a corner, we will pull to each turn and "kill" the fence off and reset the tractor on the next pull to stretch the next section of fence....Thanks

[@greatscott6971]

That’s the way we did ours. I learned how on KZbin! I think it was the Redbrand fencing videos technique that I followed.

[@deanlevang6031]

A tip for another time: A couple pieces of sheet metal covering the staples on the post where you made the turn would have helped the fence slide over the staples. Then pull the sheet metal pieces out when done.

[@joannak4640]

You are doing a fine job, Evan. Yes, I agree that the stretcher board should've been closer to the end where you tie it off but just look how far you've come since the very first fence you put in ❤️ So happy for you and Rebekah

[@johnstephensmith389]

maybe try putting the streacher on the outside of the fence instead of inside against the posts. looks good

[@thatoneauthor]

I'm fixin to put up the same fencing here soon, also doing it solo and novice as yourself. Each of your videos give me a sense of confidence and the extra advice in the comments are extremely valuable as well. Thank you for sharing your experience with the rest of us.

[@pierre-yvesloyer8038]

To avoid the loosening of the fence use your tractor as the solid object to pull the fence instead of the last post.

[@amunm.7858]

Not everyone has a tractor

[@Raul28153]

@@amunm.7858 the poster does

[@adamant3316]

I just plan on using my truck tow hooks to attach it to. Think that should be fine... I think

[@northwestgaming4049]

Besides wrapping the corners with clean knots is craftsmanship, and builds a longer lasting fence.

[@jameslocke3069]

If it gets too loose in summer, pick a spot and pull out about four to six vertical wires, cut the horizontals and use gripples on the horizontal ones to tighten it up.

[@IowaMercMan]

What James said.

[@bignorwegian]

Do you have to pull the staples and clips from the wooden posts and t-posts, along the run? Otherwise, how does the fence move past any of those connections as you attempt to tighten it? Thanks.

[@chrism.2231]

I see a few comments to this, and I would have to agree that I prefer to pull it past the last post, using the tractor (or a tree, etc.) as the anchor. This allows you to not have to fight the fence to get the stretcher out and you will not lose as much tension when removed. You will have to cut a few of the horizontal wires, while in tension and get them tied on one at a time around the end post. I will usually kind of jump around as to what I tie off so as not to just do the top or the bottom first, and I leave the heavier gauge top and bottom wire until last. Again, my 2 cents. Looking good!

[@abushman5938]

Looks good, a nice addition to the homestead. Weave a line wire through the top panels of the fence then tension the line wire. That will hold your fence top in place and minimize any sagging or waving.

[@johnsnyder4143]

I always fasten my fence before I release the tension, that keeps it tight. But like some have already said, everyone has their way of doing it. I do like your stretching apperatous

[@jkdubs2]

When I built my fence I pulled tension past the last post and I cut every other wire to wrap the last post tight, then released tension and wrapped the rest of the wires. It held it very tight. Also maybe use electrical pliers or something similar to help wrap the wire. This method also helps keep your stretcher board from being trapped. The issue with the way you did it i think is that the fence you have stretches alot so you need as much tension as possible. Good job! That's alot of work for two people to do!

[@tomdeschesne9391]

You should have used your tractor or truck to put your stretcher on and pulled with truck/tractor. Put your stretcher pass your corner post to get it on your corner than move it to end and stretch again with vehicle. Dont try slipping your fence over your corner post. If you're putting certain livestock in that pasture, you need to enclose from your corner post and brace post inside your pasture. If horses, cows... ect they will crowd and corner others and can force them into your tension wire on your brace. Sheep or goats "might" be okay. Oh, and if you stretch your pagewire pass your corner post, you can attach wire to corner post with staples and stretch it along the other side without having to cut your pagewire all up. 62 year old farmer that learned from a 87 year old when i was 8 years old. Just trying to help with some thoughts. Old skills. 😉😊 great job! Looking good!!

[@mattboswell5392]

Good advise , trying to fully understand what your trying to sayx Are you saying that he should have pulled the one run tight to the corner ( where fence wrapped around with stretcher and tractor. Left that there. and then pulled the other run with another vehicle and stretcher. Then fasten everything, that way he wasn’t pulling all the slack around the corner?

[@waynew237]

Sorry I now read a few comments and see others have said the same thing guess I should have read them before I committed. I’m sure most of them are like myself and grew up around it I remember as a kid helping my grandpa build fence and I have had horses my whole life so for your first time it looks great and your braces are top notch great job.

[@Castrucksandtractors]

Moving your stretcher to the end of the wire you're stretching and hooking to your tractor will eliminate your problem

[@ithacacomments4811]

Thus they say...."mend your fences" ...fence maintenance is an ever and always thing.

[@silkedavid8876]

I am always amazed what kind of tools are available! We had a brilliant old fashioned ironmongers in our town and the people there were great finding you a tool. Sadly they have made their showroom smaller and you have to go through catalogues now. We also have a tool supplier in our town, who cater to ALL trades, they keep building warehouses!

[@josephbrown-ut9ty]

JudithB We didnt have any fancy kind of tools for fencing or a tractor at the beginnings! ran a chain off the trailer hitch on the truck to stretch wire on long runs, used a hammer to pull wire on short runs. I still repair and tighten wire with a hammer and a fence staple hammer. Ran a lot of barbwire, and I re use it for all kinds of things, last was wire runs to put blackberries on. Looks good, I am sure looking for those cows!!! LOL

[@cory1641]

Hey buddy i am doing my first fence project on my honestead and learned a lot from your videos. Thank you for posting.

[@sherrywilliams1792]

Your the most educational video "non farmer" truely great watching.....

[@almamoore8446]

You are both good teachers, wish more young people would be tour students. be safe. Getting hot in Fl.

[@mark_mthws]

Great fencing videos, been copying your techniques on small fences on my plot - really great information to be learned from your channel!! 👍🏻

[@humbertohernandez828]

Been putting off buying an expensive fence unroller. Thanks for the field fence unroller hack. I've unrolled it by hand and whew its a killer.

[@w056007568]

Good first attempt. For another time place the stretcher on the opposite side of the wire from the posts. Make a chain for tensioning with two fairly short chains with hooks that will engage with the top and bottom clips of the stretcher that stretched out looks like a capital letter Y giving a single centre pull. Pull the wire well past the last post by using a tree or your tractor or truck as an immovable object to attach the come-along to. Tension the fence and staple it to the wooden posts along its length whilst under tension, then slack fence, cut wire and tie off as you did. When you staple it on the last post staple every wire tight up against a knot at least on each vertical wire on the post. Livestock mesh will never pull easily around a soft wood post without a tough sliding metal sheath which looks unsightly. Pull the wire taught from both ends.

[@chrishendricks9869]

I always enjoy your shows

[@reggieedmonds5325]

You did a great job. Enjoyed watching and having you explain each step.

[@HiddenCreekHomestead]

Looking good Evan! I remember seeing a “Y” come along designed specifically for this purpose... you hook up the end to your truck hitch or tractor, pull past the last post and only tighten one come along in the center. The chain “Y”s off to the top and bottom of the board stretcher bracket. Made pulling fence a lot easier. I’ll try an find it. Man thats a nice board stretcher btw!!

[@alienabuser3693]

Hello thx 4 uploading.

[@larryshafer8055]

Merry Christmas

[@oldtimeengineer26]

Next time park your tractor past you last post and use it to pull the wire tight staple it to you last post and all others then release jig and tie them around the post. That is what I did and it works great

[@johnsadler8637]

This is a good idea and will work where there is room. Where there isn’t and you have to pull to the corner post, shorten your come alongs so that you get your clamp past the brace post. With full diameter horizontal post, you’ll have to have that jig on the outside. Once tight, staple tight to the brace post, then remove the jig and when you tie it off, use a hammer to pull each wire tight before tieing. For now, and for when you inevitably have to tighten woven wire like this, find, buy, or make a crimper that will recreate or enhance the bump in the horizontal wires between the verticals. That will tighten to your satisfaction. We used to have one of those but no more, so I’ve been known to pull a kink in the wire with the claw of a hammer or the pinch end of fencing pliers.

[@RichBurris2]

Hey....the fence looks great and will be functional. If needed you can tension more later.

[@Austinpowas]

I think it looks great, amazed to see how much tension you can pull from that fence

[@sarahchristian8477]

I like your videos because Im a new ranch owner and have been looking for fencing ideas and you attach all the links for all the products you use. Great video!

[@csnanny1882]

I am proud of you Evan ,in everything you do not only do you want to do a good job but one that will last for many years.it’s good that you didn’t get any of this big snow and hold you up. I’m praying you will get it done by the time you are shooting for. Not matter what is said I think you have put in enough of fencing that you pretty well know what you are doing. I hope you and Rebecca have a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year. Love ya.

[@frrapp2366]

i always do a double wrap around the post and put a staple in before i try and tie off, i found a spring loaded wire gripper think a highline crew lost it have used for 10+ years grabs along about 4 in of wire and fits up to 1/2 in cable or so wonderful tool. we always wrapped the wire around a pipe then stretched it all by pulling on the pipe. also staple to post before you tie off

[@route66homestead82]

Looking good....the fence is coming along nicely!

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Evan you are getting so good at fencing!

[@MrVile-bz9fw]

I agree with other comments, you must use something beyond the final post to do your pull from and as you get it tight go walk the entire line and help all the snags to adjust out, then go back to end and take another pull. You may have to do this a few times before you can play your favorite tune on the wire like a guitar! SLOW DOWN DON'T RUSH THINGS!

[@waderanchservices9212]

In our experience of 8 years building farm and ranch fences, we've noticed barbed wire or field fence stretched around a corner will start to lift the corner post out of the ground over time

[@chaunceypullman3380]

All the gadgets they've come out with. All dad did was secure the wire to post. We laid the fencing down and threaded a rebar through the other end. Dad secured wires to it and hitched onto back of his 67 Chevrolet and pulled it taut that way. Once secured to main post and tpost down the row that truck carried that tension tight. Ingenuity back in the 70s.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Stretching board past the last post being fasten to maybe?? You’re doing a great job and it’s looking great around there. Thanks for sharing with us. Fred 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@steveholton4130]

Then stapling fencing wire to every post, especially the end (gate) post, before releasing stretcher. Now that all strain has been stapled to the posts, trim wire to length to wrap around post and tie back to itself.

[@shawnharalson3764]

Good job! You can always tighten it this summer if it needs it. It will work out just fine👍🏼😊

[@AmericanSavageGarage-em2oy]

Love the Chalmers!

[@michaelbobbiharris2587]

Good video

[@Me-ov9nw]

Fencing looks great! Not an easy task

[@homeland2236]

Great video.

[@LizRobbinsGauna44]

I've seen 4 men work on a fence and it looked like a tough job. You've dun good for doing it all alone. Hope the lack of tension on the fence wire does not become a major issue in the future. Thanks for the video.

[@stevemartinez6757]

I think you did a fine job, certainly better than I would have done (I have never installed fencing). There are some very helpful comments posted already that make a lot of sense. Good luck with it!

[@ndtschau]

Great job! 😊👍🏻

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi...... Evan nice to see you, thank you for sharing your video homestead chicken farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐥🐕🐖🐈🌱🐐🎥👍👍👍

[@richxts1357]

Mr. Country View, have you ever considered painting the Barn and steel siding. Sure would make your farm look good, but, then again, You & Wifey and Subscribers probably like the Patina. Good video's, keep em' comin'.

[@ramyswar296]

You did a GREAT job, only thing is the way you stretched the field fence. Use the tractor or a truck as a solid object to attach your come along to and stretch the fence like that.

[@bobjoncas2814]

..lookin' good, nice job. stay safe..

[@margaretbedwell58]

I think your fences look great. I am sure during the life of a fence it would have to be tightened from time to time. Don't be too hard on yourself. Do you know what kind of beef you plan to raise? Y'all have a Blessed day.

[@richardthomas6602]

Tension the fence from beyond the last post. I used my pick up tow hitch as an anchor point. You only need one come-along attached at the center point of the fence vise. Then starting at the center horizontal strand, cut it long enough to wrap it around the post and tie it off. Use vice grips to pull the wire as tight as possible. Cut the next horizonal wire above the first one cut and secure it the same way. Cut the horizonal wire below the first one cut and secure it. Keep working up and down until the last two wires cut and secured are the top and bottom wires. You will have a drumb tight fence.

[@MsQuartermain]

If you'd stapled the netting to the post in front of the stretcher, rather than the one behind, you would have not lost the tension. Now you could put a single line of wire 2 inches above the netting, staple it to every post, then attach the netting to that wire with wire ties. What you are trying to prevent is sagging of the netting which one sees all over the world. Next time fix the stretcher to your tractor beyond the last post. Looks very professional though, well done.

[@kaseycasece1340]

YOUNG MAN , U DID ASS BACKWARD PUTTING UP FENCE WIRES

[@andyteohockguan2235]

Awesome 👌 😀👍

[@kiddfamilyfarmllc9962]

Putting up fence tomorrow this will help

[@vinnypinatelli221]

It looks good hope it stays great job

[@dennisholloway1867]

Happy Christmas to you both from North Lincolnshire U.K., keep up the good work.

[@timetable620]

We usually tension the hole thing and attach it than let off the tension

[@davidmorrison3776]

So your fence looks great. I think it will work just fine. But my dad taught me to nail in all the fence at the post before you let tension out that way it stays in place then just worry about the end piece and getting it right. Love what you did though.

[@ronaldlee2376]

My only suggestion , after soil has settled around posts, retamp slightly, add more sub soil until it is sloped away from post on an angle to shed rain water. All posts made from wood, steel or concrete always rot at ground level if this is not done. A better example : view an inverted funnel, you will get the idea. p.s. using tractor drawbar is an excellent anchor point for stretching fence.

[@LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

@17:00, way too loose. Want some advice? Throw away that fancy red stretching tool. Run (snake) a strong steel 2.5" pipe in and out of the fence wire at pull point....put your truck in front of the last wood brace and ...then use a come-a-long wench on the the 2.5" thick pipe to pull fence tight...staple fence fencing to last pole at the wire-cross junctions all the way down...remove tension and THEN perform your last step...dressing the fence ends around the pole. Fencing staples will hold the tension until you dress out the fence.

[@martybertrand5119]

Just tried my first attempt at stretching. A bit loose too but learning as I go

[@justanotheridiotredneck]

Terminate your corners and run a new stretch. Takes more time, but makes a tighter fence.

[@markenloe1265]

What you're doin is a two man job. Can't be in two places at the same time. Ya did good for a man event.😎

[@lukasjohnson6802]

Once the wire is as tight as I'd like it, I go ahead and staple the wire to each post before releasing tension. Sometimes I actually do it before I even strip back the wire and start wrapping. Then the only way most of the fence can lose tension is if the posts aren't well-anchored.

[@brucestmartin777]

Great job Evan.. looks professional. You own that work music by the way...

[@tomhall7250]

Looks awesome should do what it was intended to, good job.

[@roy.dunn5640]

put your staples in when its tight then loose off

[@python3574]

How does that help? Staples are supposed to be left loose, theyre only for holding the fence to the post, ot clamping the wire against the post. That way the fence can freely move throughout the seasons.

[@jonkwin9620]

On a hot day take a big crescent wrench and a large screwdriver and put kinks in the horizontal wires here and there wherever you see a little slack, only need to bend it 45 degrees. Each kink only takes out a 1/4 inch of slack - but if you do 12 lots of 8 kinks that's 4 inches of slack gone.

[@patwanner1781]

Hello country view acres. I have no advice on how to put up fencing....I just enjoy your posts.👍🏻

[@mr.b6374]

You should have attached the fencing the the Posts before releasing the pressure up to the tensor, and then pulling it around the final post, using your tractor to assist would have been easier.

[@ArtGardenFoodExpressions]

Hello Evan and Rebecca. Thank you for the video. Will settle in to watch. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. P.S. I would love to see a tour of your home with Christmas Decorations.

[@coyotiess]

I think it will hold!

[@FaenumVena]

You need to staple before you remove the tension. We used to do it by attaching the tensioner bar to the winch on the landrover then stapling from the oposite end. We didnt rely in tieing the ends of the fence round the post. Also not a good idea to tension around the corner, tension up to it, then tension again for the next straight. We did it all by hand, no post augers, and had really tight fences. Had to be as it was for cattle on rented fields.

[@wrgoinlive]

Faenum, Did you cut your wire at each corner then? ie terminate at each corner?

[@FaenumVena]

@@wrgoinlive No, you can still turn it around a corner after the straight stretch has been secured and stapled along the length. Its just getting the stretching even and tight in a straight line rather than trying to fenangle it and get it right around a corner. when you have uneven ground, turning a corner can pull the fence up or down and makes it difficult to line up, and can loose tension in places. Proper tension is very important.

[@wrgoinlive]

Got it. Thank you.

[@erichemard7066]

I use a shackle on my draw bar to connect the come along to. This way I’m not fighting the chain trying to tie off to the post. Where I can’t position the tractor I drill an additional hole and place a pulling post which is removed after the wire is stretched. As far as tying barb wire to post, I make a full wrap around the post, thread the wire through the wrap and twist back about 5 turns back on the run. It a pain in the ass to get it threaded back through the wrap but I found a slide hammer pulls it through nice and tight.

[@terrysavage2745]

I tried around the second post made two pulls. Tied to the tractor then nailed wire to post allowed enough wire to tie around the post. Then tied to the post in the second leg of the pull. When finished the wire was tight.

[@lynnhillangus2472]

Yes. Park your truck near your corner post, have the stretcher board between corner posts and back of truck. Use truck hitch as anchor. Stretch wire. Secure the wire to post pound those staples on deep. Then release and wrap and tire corner with the excess

[@garyhunter6030]

I see you need some experience for stretching fence wire. It will come with stringing more fencing. The stretcher need to be on the opposite side of the fence post. Attache your tractor to the stretcher bar pull the wire past your corner post. Tie it off and put a staple on the back side of the post to hold the wire tight. Release the stretcher bar and finish off tieing off the fence.

[@johnhamilton3987]

I like to pull past the post then go through and put my staples in then wrap three times around the post then do the twist. Keeps tight and have not had any spin on me. I put the staples in before letting tension off the wire

[@nathandemaris3776]

If your fence loosens up try a Texas fence strecher. An old man showed me how to use one. It was great.

[@rodfair5698]

Merry Christmas to you both and all the best for the New Year. Thanks so very much for your videos, I really enjoy them. Sincerely, Rod

[@alexgnatiuk2509]

you need to get the stretcher board closer to the corner post and get the section between the stretcher and the corner post tighter when your tieing it to the post.

[@onfarm6521]

Deep South homestead did a great video on this if you want to see how he makes sure not to have slack. Your new to this you will get better and better trust me from someone who has built a lot of fence mistakes are made in the beginning and then by the end you're doing it in your sleep. I think for a first time you are doing good! I have switched to mostly high tensile fence. but you have goats so I understand.

[@Twomidgetsonahorse]

There are as many different ways of stretching fence as there are people who stretch fence. Do what makes sense for you in your given situation. Time will tell if the job you did stands the test of actual livestock to be kept in. A good solid year of observation in all given weather conditions will show where improvements can be made if any.

[@mapleridgefarms6075]

Get another stretcher board and then tie both ends of the fence off. Then place the stretcher boards near the center of the fencing run about 8 or 10 feet apart and then use the come-a-longs to pull them towards each other. Cut the fence and strip some of the wires then use griples on each wire and tighten each one. Then remove the stretcher boards. Tight as a whistle.

[@rwecks597]

I would suggest you pull pass the last post,then tie the wire off. Use one come along,use chain or wire at the top and bottom of the fence stretcher then attach the come along to middle.

[@jimmygarringer6136]

also helps to stretch to a corner, nail it off and then stretch the next section... Merry Christmas to you and your family...

[@fredbradbury3002]

Whoop! I am the first commenter today. Love your channel and look forward to the videos. Happy Holidays!

[@derrick_builds]

Why don't you wrap the end and come back down when you are pulling tension? Also, why don't people pin the wire to the t-post before they take the tension off? Keep up the hard work.

[@417plasma6]

you should have set the tool on the opposite side then pull to the end, then use your tractor for a slight final pull..tack all posts before releasing the tension..

[@bhensel100]

Most tractors have a brake pedal for each rear wheel. We use to push the pedal for the spinning wheel lightly and it would engage the stationary wheel to pull us out of a slick area. NOTE.... I said push gently.... I've seen axles snap when someone slams the brake down and suddenly stops the wheel. Although, it may not have helped in your situation sine the tractor was facing down hill and the weight of the front end loader made the back end of tractor lighter than on flat ground.

[@jimmypowell7508]

i don't think i would stretch around a curve like that. I would stop and start a new fence section. Only cost is 2 post (1 end post and 1 brace) and wire will be tight on both sides. I also agree with comments to never stretch off your last post. Your tractor makes a great pulling point

[@Bex-rg8pj]

👍👍

[@rodfair5698]

Only had one experience putting up fencing. Tensioning was done with a Ford Taurus station wagon!

[@mwilliamshs]

That D17 didn't like backing up that hill. Dangerous situation to be in, on a hill, with a rapidly spinning tire. Too bad AC didn't give them locking differentials like most others have.

[@waynew237]

I always stretch mine past the end post and staple it to post before I let the tension off of it. You can use something like a tractor to pull from or you can even put it a post to pull from and then take it out when done. After nailed off and released you can wrap the end wires around the post and tie them off this was you don’t lose any of the tension at all on the whole fence. Just a different idea I’m sure if you ask 5 different people you will get 5 different ways to do it. It does look great just a little loose. I think you can get some type of clamps to help tighten it up some if your staples are not nailed down tight. Not sure what they are called. I have used fence plies and twisted a loop in each wire to take slake out but it was loose enough to get the loop started won’t work on a fence that is just a little loose. I don’t think you will have any problems with your fence from the way it looks on tv. I enjoy watching your videos take care hope you and Mrs Rebecca have a wonderful Christmas