Fence Contractor Reacts to DIY Chain Link Stretching Technique

There's a lot of good and bad fence building advice floating around on KZbin. Today we're examining a DIY chain link stretching video and seeing how it holds up against professional fence contracting techniques. What is he getting right and what is he getting wrong?
Want the Puljak we talked about? Pick it up here: bit.ly/3n3zPIK
Bear Hold: bit.ly/bearholdstretcher
Top Rail Dresser: bit.ly/topraildresser
Chain Link Rake: bit.ly/chainlinkrake
Other Chain Link Tools: bit.ly/chainlinktools
Pick up chain link hardware here: bit.ly/chainlinkhardware
Lifey Guy's original video here: • How to stretch a chain...
Check out Lifey Guy's channel here: / @lifeyguy

[@LifeyGuy]

thanks for your insightful and respectful feedback! I wish you all the best! ~Alex

[@les5443]

I'm glad you didn't cut this guy down, I saw his video before I watched yours. The 2x4 strecher saved me 40 bucks. Learned some stuff from you too. Thanks.

[@SWiFence]

I always respect a guy doing the best he knows how. We are always learning even after 25 years in the business.

[@SpadeAce]

I really like this video. What a wholesome reaction with very constructive feedback! Dang, you’re a rare bird! Most people just try to trash everyone else. What a breath of fresh air you are.

[@SWiFence]

Hey thanks! You get what you give. 👍🏻

[@stevec9231]

Doing a DIY fence and it was a pleasure to see your critique of the other guys video. Nice to see a professional such as yourself not bash us novices!

[@photographyinflight4183]

Key to that dressing is eliminating as much slack in the wire as possible prior to stretching. Once you do that you can add a temp tie in the middle of the top rail between your posts, in addition to the tie next to your post, to minimize sag of the wire as you stretch. Equally important is to constantly lift the wire and slide the wire(fabric) along the top rail as the wire is being stretched, obviously a two man operation. Also, if space allows, stretching the wire on the ground and then lifting the wire up to the framework works really well, typically the wire will require no dressing, other than just tieing it to the posts and rail.

[@jamesburgess3628]

I appreciate the professional input. But I am looking for how deep to install the 8 foot post for a 6 foot fence.

[@ReadyUpGo]

Good format to use his video to comment off of. Thanks for the added info and obvious professionalism you exhibit. You made me decide against doing a run of fence a friend asked me to repair after a car ran through it.

[@MrKidsparky]

I agree, glad you didn’t trash the guy. Bet he’s a good dad too. First video I felt like I should comment on because of his consideration and professionalism . Bravo

[@adamreece5498]

Thanks the both of y'all

[@jakebrown9829]

Like reaction vid. Thanks man. I appreciate the attention to detail that you and you guys put into the product!

[@SWiFence]

Thanks. I wanted to try something new.

[@phixit101]

Good constructive feedback!

[@nathanconley2405]

Awesome video! Could you possibly show us how to correctly use a Bearhold and a pulljak in one of your videos? Thank you!

[@SWiFence]

Great suggestion!

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

I just watched a short video where you were using the barb stretcher; I think it was "stretching and Installing Chain Link Fence Fabric" I don't recall you weaving it into the chain link; though you did use the double braided tension wire.

[@janetbarnesmcconnelllmft4443]

Thanks for your reaction. It’s helpful. I’m having to DIY my own fencing because no professional fencing company in my area is willing to repair a fence, or to install a fence anywhere but on a wide open, level treeless lot.

[@SWiFence]

Wow--just going to be real, sounds like they don't really know what they're doing if they can't handle any challenges. 😣

[@seanbrunette8774]

Awesome, Thank you,

[@rusosure7]

Would I ever have need to use a T-Bar stretcher? Hell no! Would we like to see you show us how to use one? HELL YEAH!

[@SWiFence]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j33TpX2reraqbrs

[@StoneSoupVideos]

Loved the guidance, loved more brother using his son to "direct" the video! If you were located in TN, you'd be coming to the house here to give me a bid on fencing an acre. Appreciate the tips n tool access, it's gonna matter when I tackle this project.

[@SWiFence]

Thank you so much! 👍🏻 If we were in TN we'd love to come out!

[@chargermopar]

I use a skid steer and hook welded to the bucket with a chain and two angles attached together with bolts and wing nuts. Six feet long. The advantage is that you can lift the fabric so it does not drag the ground when stretching. Also made an adapter to stick a roll of fence in a hitch receiver to allow unrolling from the skid steer.

[@SWiFence]

We love people that solve problems! Sounds like an ingenious setup. 👍🏻 Maybe someday you can upgrade to an EVO. 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGaToKJmg9KSp7s

[@chargermopar]

@@SWiFence If I did enough fence work I would think about it! Around here post pounding is impossible due to coral rock, but upstate there is sand and pounding seems like a real time saver!

[@oby-1607]

Good professional observations. If you are going to do something, do it right. If you don't know how to do right. Learn. There is no excuse today with the information highway that exists today. If you learn and still say you cannot do it right. Don't do it.

[@SWiFence]

I try not to beat anyone up if they are doing the best they know how. But, if they don’t continue to learn and grow or know better but cut corners watch out! 😉

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Dam guys your videos make me work. Dam I have pages now of your instructions. Again well-done guys.

[@SWiFence]

Great to hear! Rock on!

[@emsroks]

Could you explain the term “dress out” more? I’ve heard that term a lot when talking chain link but would love to learn more about what it means and how to do it. Thanks Mark!

[@SWiFence]

Dressing chain link refers to leveling the fabric so the top diamond flows evenly with the top rail. You can dress the fabric so the top of the fabric is even with the top rail, the middle of the top diamond is even with the top rail, or the fabric sits above the top rail one full diamond. We usually do a half diamond above. 👍🏻

[@emsroks]

SWi Fence & Supply of Powell thank you for that explanation! After doing fairly decent size commercial job recently ( biggest one we’ve done ) I’m really interested in learning more about how to do it better on the next one.

[@michaeld_68]

We would center stretch anything up to or over 500 feet with a terminal post in the middle and shake the wire as we crank the comealong (especially galvanized) . It's been a few yrs but I believe we stretched out tension wire with a tool called a dogleg and a comealong .

[@SWiFence]

Fortunately there have been some advances and better tools have come along since then.

[@photographyinflight4183]

Stretching your tension wire using a barb dog and come-along. Dogleg would be used setting a post where a bldg footer is in conflict, dogleg allows you to clear the footer to get the depth you need to get adequate concrete around it.

[@jasez7977]

Hi, great video! Questions for you if you don't mind...if you have changes in angle (i.e. all land is flat, but at 30' of straight fence then you need to change direction by 30 degrees) do you put a terminal post at that change in direction? Also, what about a 90degree turn that only has 2' of fabic before it terminates? Thank you!

[@SWiFence]

We would put a terminal in at both locations and break the wire even for a 2' run

[@jasez7977]

@@SWiFence There are some mixed details out there, at what degree would you then use a terminal post? i.e. if the straight line changes by 30 degrees, keep a line post? thanks for all the help. We are tackling the fence this weekend!

[@foxtrot35]

Do you have a video yourself showing a Pro way of installation fence? i.e. where best to purchase materials, tools, tips (visual). Thanks for review, watched the DIYer too

[@SWiFence]

I think we have several on our channel.

[@Handmaidenofyeshua]

Do you have a technique how to stretch a section of chain link back up laterally that’s been crushed down?

[@Handmaidenofyeshua]

It has no top rail!

[@user-vy3yv8ce3x]

what did we do before the internet and youtube?

[@turbosupra2jzdragracingtob249]

Hi, where is Florida did you move / what areas do you work? Hudson or Springhill?

[@SWiFence]

We're in St Augustine. We service St Johns county.

[@spreadcreekjr1731]

Can you show us the t-bar stretcher

[@SWiFence]

We should have a video out on that soon.

[@jamesbates2016]

I like tow use two tension bars when I stench chain link

[@SWiFence]

I like to use our Fence Hog! 😁

[@SqueamishPuppet]

I embarrassingly do this for a living (mostly vinyl but some chain link) with a company that's been in business for 20 years, and we don't even have the tools the HOMEOWNER had. 😓

[@SWiFence]

😬 Hope you can get that fixed!

[@jasonp177]

Great video, no trash talk, I would just offer to restrech, rake& tie the job if it was my neighbor

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

what would be a good anti dig barrier besides concrete to keeps dogs from getting out? Personally, I like the double braded tension line I've seen you use instead of what this guy is carrying on his shoulder. The double braded wire seems like it would add more strength and allow you to stretch it a little tighter. I like the idea of using the hog rings to tie the tension wire to the fabric instead of trying to weave it in the bottom of the chain link. Seems like the hog rings will be more secure over time, especially if you have a dog that is constantly pushing at it, but this was what I was asking about in the comments of one of your other videos. I have a neighbor that has a fence that never had a tension wire installed, and his dog is always making new places to get out.

[@SWiFence]

You can also install a bottom rail instead of tension wire. And if you really want to eliminate the problem, you pour a concrete dig barrier when you're installing the fence.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

@@SWiFence thanks for the feedback.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

@@SWiFence how wide and thick do you usually make the concrete dig barrier when you use it?

[@SWiFence]

Out here we go about 12 inches wide and 4 inches deep. We have to have portions of that going beneath frost line of course.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

@@SWiFence how many linear feet do you usually go before you take it below the frost line, and how wide do you normally make that portion of it?

[@rogerbettencourt9654]

Nice share Mark, and I am not just saying that because Joe Everest approved it.

[@SWiFence]

Nice!

[@73beetle19]

What gauge chain link fence is preferable?

[@SWiFence]

11

[@73beetle19]

@@SWiFence Thank you for your response . I noticed that Home Depot and Lowes carries 11.5 .

[@felishiadarling]

Kids are soo awesome

[@oregonpatriot1570]

I spent 13 years as a 'fence foreman', building everything from field fence to prisons. (that _'no climb'_ chain link was a BITCH to dress because of those tiny diamonds and heavy gauge wire) I built baseball back stops, tennis courts, miles of residential & commercial chain link, that plastic farm fence...You name it. Those 13 years destroyed my back because being a foreman on a fence crew wasn't like a normal job. I worked as hard as the next guy (if not harder. ....but I didn't have to mix mud! 🤣

[@barfpuker2732]

I’ve been installing for 45 years and no one I know stretches more than 50’ at a time.

[@trackmader]

The cemetery dad is buried at has a chain link in back that the diamonds are way overstretched the diamonds are stretched 2.5 wide 1.5 tall. It's pretty ugly looking... My mind was not on getting a picture at the time.

[@trackmader]

I should mention the gap on the bottom too

[@rileymoore4017]

I watch you guys all the time and I've learned a lot and I love your channel but give credit where credits due I see your chain link all the time with a quarter of an inch slack in it his didn't have that quarter of an inch so his is tighter than yours is typically I've changed the way I do chain link all the way around because of your videos so don't take this the wrong way

[@Grggeorge]

One word bear holds

[@SWiFence]

Yes we have those too.

[@nattyw495]

After watching 20 videos od rather save up let a professional do the job..lol..

[@leanercleaner698]

25 minute vid to say what he did wasn't that bad. I had already watched his and it helped. Micro critiques only make you look bad...do better.

[@SWiFence]

Based on the comments you seem to be in the minority--most folks appreciate this format and we like to keep things positive.