DIY Gabion Cages

Instead of buying gabion cages pre-built for a project at home, I chose to build them myself out of galvanized 4ga hogwire panels. It is tough stuff and they will outlast me!
I documented the entire process of the build as well as the construction of a reclaimed top made from a 15 year old cedar fence we took down. This is the first of two gabion cage videos I plan to do. The next will have cages at each end of the benches around our fire pit, but with the same type of reclaimed cedar top.
Supplies:
I have had the pliers for years, but these are the same thing:
www.homedepot....
The rings can be had from these folks at Eden Farms:
7/8 Stainless steel hog rings for crab pots, gabions, pens, fences, aviary netting - heavy duty 125/pk www.amazon.com...

[@ronnyburks2310]

You seem like a great guy Matt - thanks for the video! No need to buy new if you can reuse!

[@davehamel9298]

Very good reuse of available material and stones. Bravo.

[@lowellirish]

Nice job Matt! I'd like to see it when you get it sanded down, stained and poly!

[@XroorX]

Great look with the older wood planks! Great video thank you!

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thank You!

[@BennettFonacier]

Thanks for the demo, Matt! You just inspired me to do this gabion project.

[@MattofManyTrades]

Awesome!! Your comment made my morning.

[@activeal]

Thanks for this video - I learned a few things. I bet a lot of things can be built from this type of wire panel and hog-nose pliers.

[@JamesLee-cr8go]

Helpful video. Thanks for the tips and the laughs!

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thank you!! I try to be helpful. My wife is usually them only one who laughs at my jokes. There is a more recent (9/2019) video on the backyard vid showing how to do the longer bench tops.

[@movingforwards2530]

Brilliant work and I like your Honesty.👍👍

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thank you!

[@diydad1658]

Nice. Around here that would be a black widow condo unit! You may consider using triangles as your spacers, point up. This will shed water better instead of having it soak into the spares and expanding.

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thankfully no poisonous spiders or snakes in Seattle.

[@thepecheffect762]

Sweet socks!!! Excellent video

[@grahamchiu2817]

You can buy gabion helical wires to join the panels which is probably less time consuming.

[@MattofManyTrades]

Absolutely. the helical ties can be hard to find in some places, but can be ordered online. The hog rings are just another way of doing it.

[@Luckingsworth]

They look ugly as sin

[@adamgipson6151]

Cool project. Cool dog.

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thank you!

[@jacklondon5225]

Awesome build, wasn’t much of a mistake, but thanks for showing it so we don’t all feel too bad when we do something similar! Great to see a happy wife and puppy too. Going to try something similar soon. Any reason to attach the bench to the gabion or does it sit secure without wobbling?

[@MattofManyTrades]

It sits fine. No wobbles.

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thank you!! I appreciate it.

[@tutnetam]

Gabion cages are like $150 each! Hell no! Thanks for your video!

[@iuresclaudiu5798]

Very cool ideea. Thank you. I'll do myself an Diy project.

[@MattofManyTrades]

No Worries! They are REAL easy to do and last forever - literally. Let me know how your projct turns out.

[@felixchin1438]

in rubbish dumps plastic has been found unscathe for more than 30 years as its non bio degradable. unlike metal which is more susceptible to free radicals/rust. i guess you are right if the thickness of the zip tie is too thin . pound for pound i think it will last alot longer . moreover its water proof, but then again if its salt water i am not too sure of its reliability. but then again i am only expressing an opinion. i may be wrong in my observation. hehehe

[@Luckingsworth]

Plastic does not "dissolve" but it becomes brittle and will snap apart with a glance within a year or two of being left outside.

[@joserodriguezplanas2965]

Donde encuentro los metales para gaviones

[@petercrowl9467]

I like the look but am concerned that wasps will nest in the rock crevices. Any experience with this?

[@MattofManyTrades]

I did not until now! That is a concern though. I feel that I will now be checking them periodically through the season to make sure I don't have any unwelcome visitors when sitting down one evening at the fire pit! REALLY good question and point.

[@petercrowl9467]

@@MattofManyTrades My basis for this comes from a friend who had dry stack stone columns on his patio/deck. Wasps loved them.

[@paronikyan]

Wasps only? What about mice, scorpions and snakes? That is my first question while thinking about gabions.

[@alexmunro5332]

Hey Matt, how did you attach the wood bench top to the gabion cage? Currently working on a couple of these for myself. Thanks!

[@MattofManyTrades]

I didn't attach the tops. they are held in place by weight and friction. It makes it easier to clean and oil them every year - I learned from a past project in a different home that this was a real need.

[@iztokblazevic4164]

your pliers are looking so easy to use can you give some link or model what are they,... where to find,... thank you,...

[@MattofManyTrades]

Iztok Blazevic sorry need to add that to the description. I have had my pliers for years, but these are the same thing: www.homedepot.com/p/GearWrench-Straight-Nose-Hog-Ring-Pliers-3703D/204622167?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CAll-Products%7CAll%7CAll%7CPLA%7C71700000014585962%7C58700001236285396%7C92700010802552391&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6K_uq_Pk4QIV0hx9Ch2s0gJCEAQYBiABEgKoFPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds The rings can be had from these folks at Eden Farms: 7/8 Stainless steel hog rings for crab pots, gabions, pens, fences, aviary netting - heavy duty 125/pk www.amazon.com/dp/B06XST7JXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gxLVCbP8FZNM3

[@TheRambutan2000]

I live in the same area, where did you buy the goat panels from? Tractor Supply don't seem to stock them any more and can't find anyone who stocks them

[@MattofManyTrades]

Tractor Supply in Kent - just off the 167. They had a pallet of them last week out in the parking lot.

[@TheRambutan2000]

@@MattofManyTrades Thanks! They must not update their web site because it always says unavailable at all stores.

[@backwoodsbully9841]

$3000 in rocks? Must be in the city. Out here in North Dakota if A farmer catches you taking rocks out of his rock piled they say take 2 for every 1 you take. Lots of rock piles.

[@MattofManyTrades]

I didn't pay that :-) Yes, we are in the city and prices reflect that. I grew up as a farm kid. I am not paying for rocks. Land or dirt, yes. Rocks, no.

[@andrewbratos6907]

can you use your cut offs for rings

[@MattofManyTrades]

You could, but it is extra work as they will have to be pre-bent. On a med to large basket you will use 3 rings per edge, so it could be as many as 36 rings per basket. that is a lot of work.

[@bengeisbauer3831]

What length are the rings that you bought?

[@MattofManyTrades]

Sorry, I will add that to the description. I have had the pliers for years, but these are the same thing: www.homedepot.com/p/GearWrench-Straight-Nose-Hog-Ring-Pliers-3703D/204622167?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CAll-Products%7CAll%7CAll%7CPLA%7C71700000014585962%7C58700001236285396%7C92700010802552391&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6K_uq_Pk4QIV0hx9Ch2s0gJCEAQYBiABEgKoFPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds The rings can be had from these folks at Eden Farms: 7/8 Stainless steel hog rings for crab pots, gabions, pens, fences, aviary netting - heavy duty 125/pk www.amazon.com/dp/B06XST7JXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gxLVCbP8FZNM3

[@felixchin1438]

i find it easier to just use zip ties or cable ties....

[@MattofManyTrades]

Zipties will only last a year or so in the sun before the UV light breaks them down and the cages fail.

[@shitina.bucket9699]

I'll happily join your gabion cult let's drink the kool aid =D

[@MattofManyTrades]

Shitin A.bucket milk and cookies are the sacrament.

[@shitina.bucket9699]

@@MattofManyTrades Milk and cookies even better! I hope those cookies are rich in cyanide =D

[@das250250]

Just a note , you might want to build a basic table out of horses and not break your back working on the floor :-).

[@MattofManyTrades]

Thank you. Worked on the ground as a demo for how it can be done. I have a full cabinet shop with an 8' bench and two project tables. Saw horses would be a great idea for folk as well.

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

"gabion", not "gabian"