fence wire strainer and application tool

This is a fence wire strainer which I've made, it's basically a copy of something I've seen. It works pretty well and so I thought I'd share it. I go through how to make the steel clip and also the application tool. I show one I've done wrong and also mention one limitation to the clip and tool.

[@oldcodger4672]

In 1954, aged 8, at Howqua in rural Victoria, I was having trouble with the new #10 high tensile fencing fire. I kept over tightening it, and kept breaking the wire. Dad explained the difference between the new #10 wire, and the old #8 wire, which was much more forgiving. We used the traditional wire tighteners. Dad’s helpful advice was “slowly and cautiously tighten the wire, until it breaks. Then back it off half a turn”. Mishaps with the #10 wire include seeing a new fence crossing a gully pop 10 feet out of the ground. The first frost caused such severe contraction. Seeing fences I installed over 65 years ago brings back happy memories.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, these clips work great on short runs of wire like I have here on my small property. The farm I work on we have much longer runs and so use normal wire strainers. I've found that it takes 5% more effort to do a good gob as opposed to a poor job and as the fences should outlast me I always try to do a good job. Thanks for commenting. Enjoy my other videos

[@Kate-turbokateproducts]

I'm 70 Jimmy and I have learned from others that were much older than me now and it's good to see that the old homemade things are what really work and I appreciate all of your stories and ideas they're great

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks Kate👍

[@davewillis7172]

G'day ol' mate, farmer from N E vic here, I've got about 5 1/2 km's of loose wire to do, I'll be giving this a go

[@IdeasBox]

G'day Dave, it works great on short runs of wire, long lengths tend to wrap too many times and overwhelm the clip. Let me know how you go. Thanks for commenting.

[@GerivaldoAraujo-hc9vh]

BONJOUR SAVA

[@craigg7182]

So simple, yet so effective and dare I say elegant. Love this thing!!

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm glad you liked the video.

[@TCW-hw6iw]

Great tool. I really appreciate the practicality and engenuity. Thanks for sharing.

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm glad to help, I hope you like my other videos.

[@B30pt87]

This is SO cool! I'd never seen one of those before. Thank you very much for making this video.

[@IdeasBox]

My pleasure. Thanks for commenting. It's great to be able to help. I hope you like my other videos too

[@danrodgers1817]

love the simplicity , saw these on banks peninsular nz a few years ago and copied them ,worked well

[@IdeasBox]

Hi mate, thanks for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too

[@user-lb8bn6bv8e]

قطعة ذكية لرجل مبدع شكرا لكم ولجهودكم ولقناتكم الرائعه 👍 أتابعك من سوريه 🇸🇾

[@neilkemp9118]

I bought a box of these maybe 15 years ago, they were called ‘Twitchers’ and were made in Warragul, Victoria. I still have some in the box with the winder. They are very good and easy and quick to use.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting mate. That's them, they work well on short runs. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@joemelton81]

Best trick ever! I'm always trying to keep the brace wires tight on my biplane. This will save a lot of money.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting, make sure your family let's us know how that goes. I look forward to reading the crash investigation. 😀. Please don't apply any thing you see in my other videos to your aviation maintenance. 🤣

[@dpeter6396]

Back in the early to mid 1950s my Dad was a distributor for a thing called the "Benbow Fence tightener" that was almost identical to this. It worked very well and was inexpensive and very easy to apply. The winding tool was a speed wrench like for sockets with a "chuck" that fitted over the 180* bent part to wind up the wire. I doubt they are still around. This was western USA.

[@IdeasBox]

A product like this is still available here in Australia. I can't remember where I saw it and this is a copy, it works pretty well. Thanks for commenting.

[@deejOnKt]

I found the patent drawings here : patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ed/ed/49/43df50919c1e0c/US2577301.pdf

[@dale1956ties]

It appears you're right about the Benbow having gone the way of all things. However if you Google "Benbow Fence tightener" the results include Jake's Tighteners which are identical. They're quite cheap, really. About $1.50 ea in lots of 100. Simple and elegant solution.

[@robpearce7676]

​@IdeasBox yes, we use something much like this called a krisel twitcher, I'm in aus as well. I like what you've done as too!

[@ricksanchez3176]

I've got a socket I cut out to do scroll work on cattle panels for trellises, I bet a little tweak and it would work. Well would probably need to just make a new one with a smaller socket, but the same principle.

[@bretgreen5314]

Love the simplicity; I might make a few of these. Thank you

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment, I hope you like my other videos too

[@davesmith8101]

This is a brilliant idea, so simple and effective. thank you!

[@IdeasBox]

@@davesmith8101 thanks for commenting Dave. I actually copied it but it works great. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@Sideshowbobx]

Oh, childhood memories of making these and winding fence wire up after fixing a moose breakage. None of our wires got that old ever, the moose took care of that. For tension we used a variation without the end LV-bend and wired a rock to it. Normal seasonal range was +35C to -35C with some dips up and down - looking back it was an amazing simple as effective setup.

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm glad you liked the video. Check out my other videos too. 👍

[@hootinouts]

That is a brilliant device there mate.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, I'm glad you liked the video. I hope you enjoy my other ones too. thanks for commenting.

[@VladekR]

Recently I had the same idea, but you saved me a lot of experimenting 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@IdeasBox]

I'm glad you liked the video and it helped. It's something i saw somewhere but i can't recall where. Thanks for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too

[@wonkylommiter6364]

Lots of best wishes and love to you!! I learned something, many thanks!

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting I'm glad you liked it. I hope you like my other videos too

[@manoharsagunthalla9215]

It’s really a very good idea! Thanks for the video

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting. 👍

[@phillipcleaver7063]

Looks great , I,m a brit & here a company won an award I believe from Royalty for developing something similar for joining 2 lengths of wire together holding them with 2 sprung blades , I think this is much more universally applicable so could possibly H.R.H's staff take a look , should be worth acknowledgement , we have been shown that King Charles is proactive in all things rurally environmental .

[@IdeasBox]

Hey mate, thanks for commenting on the video. It's actually a copy of something I saw once somewhere so it's just for private use on my property for me. I wouldn't want to poke the copyright bear...lol.

[@silviosouza7694]

Parabéns pela criatividade!

[@IdeasBox]

Muito obrigado companhiero

[@abcstardust]

Thank you for this informative Video! These are useful instruments

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@edvillavicenciobazan3240]

Una idea genial y sencilla. muchas gracias.

[@IdeasBox]

gracias por comentar amigo espero que disfrutes mis otros videos

[@joekarraker9477]

That is a great little tool!

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, I how I've helped. Check out my other videos too 👍

[@user-zc3ch9ir8k]

Thanks for sharing. Brilliant idea.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching. It's something I saw somewhere, it works well. Thanks also for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Super idea. tHanks for the diagram, that helped a bunch.

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you liked it.

[@NigelNaughton]

Excellent work!

[@IdeasBox]

Glad you like it! Thanks for watching

[@dlwhite6537]

Great idea. Great tool. You just changed my fencing life. Lol

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and it's helped. As I said in the video it's useful on short runs of wire. I hope you like my other videos too

[@S_e_r_g_ei]

1. I'm watching from Russia. The author is great, he shows and explains everything in detail! But, building reinforcement of a periodic profile is made of metal of a certain class A3 (A400, A500) and it is not intended for such deformation. It greatly loses its strength and design characteristics. And it breaks at the bend. Therefore, appropriate steel must be used. With respect to the author's work! -(I don’t know which automatic translation is more accurate) . 2.I'm watching from Russia. The author is well done, he shows and tells everything thoroughly! But, the construction fittings of a periodic profile are made of metal of a certain class A3 (A400, A500) and they are not designed for such deformation. It greatly loses its strength and design characteristics. And it breaks at the bend. Therefore, it is necessary to use the appropriate steel. With respect to the work of the author! -(I do not know which automatic translation is more accurate) . Смотрю из России. Автор всё досконально показывает и рассказывает. Но, строительная арматура периодического профиля, сделана из металла определённого класса A3 (А400, А500) и она не предназначена для такой деформации. Она сильно теряет свои прочностные и расчётные характеристики. И ломается в месте сгиба. Поэтому, нужно применять соответствующую сталь. С уважением к труду автора! -(не знаю какой автоматический перевод точнее)

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting mate.

[@pierre5325]

something I knew nothing about. Thanks, today I learned.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting, I'm glad you found the video entertaining. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@NMranchhand]

What a terrific idea!

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm glad you liked the video.

[@dennistennyson4540]

Excellent design ole chap. Florida USA

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you like the video. Check out my others too.

[@karlgoebeler1500]

Now that is an idea. Need to give that one to my brother.

[@IdeasBox]

Great, glad I could help. Thanks for commenting

[@ricksanchez3176]

Nice. Strainers are running $8 each for the cheap ones around here now. Would save a ton of money.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks, it's a pretty cheap solution. I've got proper wire strainers but they're no use on really short runs of wire so I sometimes use these. Thanks for commenting.

[@Kate-turbokateproducts]

What an amazing idea your genius

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment but is a copy of something I saw in an old Popular Mechanics magazine. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@kenm2679]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing!

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@alm4737]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@IdeasBox]

@@alm4737 hi, thanks for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@terrytytula]

Interesting product and pleasant to watch video, especially appreciate that there's no music. A small suggestion if I may, change the name to fence wire tensioner. Most people associate strainer as a device to filter or separate.

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. In Australia Fencing wire tensioners are generally called strainers but I get your point. Thanks for watching. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@cs7717]

There's something about watching a man using his tools and being creative on his bench building things that makes me want to just watch the video even though I may never need what it is that they are building. Sadly, this young generation only knows how to push buttons. They would probably even get up on a horse facing the wrong way if they could even figure out how to get up on it.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment, I'm glad you liked it.

[@vladimirvladimirovich8081]

В молодые годы полвека назад у меня были несколько прутиков стальной арматуры диаметром примерно 6 мм, которую никак я не смог согнуть . Она не сгибалась , несмотря на мои усилия. Только пружинилась . Через много лет я узнал , что эта арматура использовалась для изготовления напорных железобетонных труб с Внутренним диаметром 1000 мм для перекачивания воды под большим давлением . Мой город Нижневартовск .

[@user-rd2ol4ul3x]

Арматура делается из разных сортов стали: сталь 1, сталь 2 и сталь 3. Сталь 3 углеродистая, пружинит, при сильном изгибе ломается.

[@mikedunn7795]

Ingenious tool!

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment and for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@antonhuman8446]

Most practical. Thanks! RSA.

[@IdeasBox]

Your welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@donalfinn4205]

Well done! Nice vid🇨🇮🇵🇸

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@phallca]

Nicely done, a man after my own heart why buy the bloody thing when you can make from what would otherwise be scrap.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, I've always tinkered and experimented. Thanks for your comments. I hope you enjoy my other videos too

[@josevallejorodriguez900]

Muy buena idea .Un saludo cordial

[@IdeasBox]

Muchas gracias compañiero

[@augustomatte5888]

muy bien, gracias desde chile.

[@IdeasBox]

Hola companiero, muchas gracias por comentar.

[@plakor6133]

Just found a bunch of those in my shed yesterday.

[@600722rcv]

Lo haré, gracias

[@johnwarwick4105]

They work great (Jake's wire tighteners in the US) Amazon sell then in the Uk only £0.50 each

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting mate. I hope you enjoy my other videos.

[@NathanNostaw]

Looks like a fantastic design for simplicity, cost and function. Regarding the possibility of the wire breaking due to radius of the wire on the tensioner. Wouldn't the weakening due to radius be no worse than the bend needed for almost every other method of tying off or tensioning the wire? I doubt it's an issue. Thanks for the video.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting, I hope you like my other videos too.

[@NathanNostaw]

I've subscribed and am going through your older ones. Cheers.

[@boofuls]

Great video 😊

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate for commenting.

[@ericma6151]

smart design 👍👍

[@nelsonfalcon1971]

Excelente para estirar la línea

[@IdeasBox]

Muchas gracias companiero. Felis navidad

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate😊

[@oradion]

Obrigado, Inscrição, like e comentando. Abraço

[@johnsamsungs7570]

I wouldn't use it on hitensile wire it would got ping, then you got to mend the wire properly. But good enough for non-stock fencing.

[@billrichardson2256]

Thanks for sharing.👍👍

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope you enjoy my other videos too.

[@sheckyfeinstein]

Brilliante!

[@dallasarnold8615]

A piece of plastic pipe or garden hose would make for a smoother handle for your turning tool. It does not need to spin, but would be more comfortable.

[@IdeasBox]

Good idea, I'll try it. Thanks for commenting.

[@MaxWon56]

Many Thanks !!!

[@anuardarusanuar571]

Good job 👍👍

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for the compliment. 👍

[@rotten-Z]

If there are significant temperature changes in your area, it does not matter whether there are daily or seasonal temperature changes, then using such a device in hot weather will lead to the wire breaking in winter or undergoing plastic deformation, which means the device will work for half a year. But if you use this device in the cold season, then in the summer the wire will stretch under the influence of temperature and the fence will sag. This device can be improved if the lever does not rest against the wire, but is pulled down under the action of a load. Then this device will tension the wire equally all year round, automatically adapting to the air temperature

[@aprilm9551]

This sounds like you are correct even though I'm not fully picturing what you describe would be the solution. Does this device exist? Can you point me to where I could see it? The original poster says some of his has been in place for several years, but then again perhaps he doesn't have a lot of difference in temperatures in different seasons?

[@rotten-Z]

@@aprilm9551 I don’t know if a device similar in design exists; I only described the principle by which the tension of the contact wire on the railway is maintained. The author uses the tensioned cable itself as a support to maintain tension; if a load is attached to the elongated part of the device shown in the video, the tension will be maintained even if the wire weakens.

[@zen4men]

Brilliant!

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm glad you liked it. Check out my other videos too..👍

[@andrevrosk5082]

belo trabalho

[@IdeasBox]

Obrigado por comentar. Feliz natal

[@jeronimomod156]

Nice 👌💝

[@richardsolomon8076]

2 free kin cool bro 😎 👌 howzit from New Zealand ✌I think I like the tool better than the clip 😀 I can make them 🍻 cheers team 👍🏻

[@IdeasBox]

Hey buddy, thanks for commenting. Let us all know how you go. 👍

[@richardsolomon8076]

@@IdeasBox I have some rio mesh going bad on the ground,,,, better useful in a bucket for sure 👍🏻 will for sure 👍🏻 let you know when I've spun up a line 😀

[@kattmcnutt]

I feel like this device would be great for camping, ie hanging a ridge line or something. obviously i wouldn't trust it with my life, that's what climbing equipment is for. but ill definitely try with my hammock! a tight hammock line is hard to maintain this may be my solution

[@IdeasBox]

Sounds like something worth trying out. Let me know how you go. Thanks for commenting, I hope you enjoy my other videos too

[@rickyasitap3294]

Good idea..

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate. I'm glad you liked it. Check out my other videos too.

[@rfiskillingussoftly6568]

Awesome!

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate for the comment. I hope you like my other videos too

[@fabriciolezcano5089]

👍

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

I have no wire fence to tension up, but now I know how if I do.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting Mark, I hope this helps you out in the future.

[@markcoop244]

Man oh man that's pretty amazing.. you're a guy. You should put that into production.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, but is s copy of something I saw once... I'd get sued for copyright infringement, but it's a handy tool to have about. Thanks for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@labiadh_chokri]

Nice explanation try to paint them to prevent corrosion.

[@IdeasBox]

Great idea..I'll try giving them a spray after they're fitted. Thanks for commenting.

[@juhotimperi7655]

Like you say there in Australia: We're not here to fuck the spiders.🙂👍

[@IdeasBox]

🤣...absolutely mate. Thanks for commenting.

[@plastic9990]

Excellent tool! 🇵🇰❤️🇵🇰

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, I hope you like my other videos too. 🙂

[@TheSnooplost]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@RazaAli-es1to]

Good 👍

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting.

[@ibrahimgoma7779]

it's one way to do the job but can't you still tighten the wire without it? or its a bad idea? i'm just asking if its the one good way or can be done other ways who knows maybe one day i would need to use that :D still useful tho

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for the question, in my experience simply twisting the wire it'll come undone when an animal hits it. I only use these clips on very short runs of wire. Thanks for commenting..

[@galewollenberg786]

Ever hear of Jakes wire tightners? It is patented so be careful of violations.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks mate, as far as I can figure as long as I don't sell it, which I haven't is only for my use, I'll stay clear of any issues. Thanks for commenting.

[@medicbabe2ID]

Spiffy! 🤠

[@bebetochaves9331]

Muito show. Sou Bebeto Chaves do Rio de Janeiro Barra de Guaratiba Brasil

[@IdeasBox]

Muito obrigado por comentar 👍.

[@timmillikan1155]

Genius

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting, I hope you like my other videos too. 👍

[@TonyWright-tf5zy]

8:30 Vice no-no 101.. Look after your tools and they will look after you.

[@pethru4427]

A Cleaver Idea

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks, I copied it but it works great. Thanks for watching.

[@joelsonjoaquimmariano7525]

Bealtifull

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting mate. Enjoy my other videos too.

[@user-if8nm7er6c]

No perdería el tiempo haciendo piezas de esas es mejor ir al poste y darle tensión desde el poste.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting. I do normally use fence wire strainers on long runs of wire but for short runs under 10 metres there isn't enough stretch in the wire so these clips work well. I hope you like my other videos too

[@sergueiothonucci1638]

😃😃😃

[@c766ob]

Хороший крючок. Только в целях безопасности, когда закручиваете, по обе стороны проволоки повесьте или тряпки, типа старых рубашек, или веревку накиньте кольцами. Не дай Бог, оборвется проволока (трос) - тряпки погасят импульс разрыва и разлета проволоки.

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for commenting. Good idea. I hope you like my other videos too.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

Has that wire been in a fire?

[@IdeasBox]

No mate, I don't think so, the posts closest to this section of wire aren't scorched or burnt, the other wires above and below it are also rusty but I don't know why. The wire further along is still in good nick. Thanks for commenting, I hope you like my other videos too.

[@dukeman7595]

Capital idea old boy, pip pip cheerio and all that bullshit. How about giving the measurements in American. Oh, enjoyed the video very much and I thank you, fencing videos are always interesting to me, thanks again.

[@MileyonDisney]

c l e v e r

[@IdeasBox]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@MrLucaspingret]

Ótimo e fáceis de reproduzi-los....obrigado

[@IdeasBox]

Obrigado por comentar companiero

[@zen4men]

==== IDEA If you made a series of jigs, ================================= you could halve the time to make them? =================================

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, good idea. I'll have a look at doing that. Thanks for the comment. I hope you like my other videos too

[@zen4men]

@@IdeasBox Fencing is of interest - mechanics is not really my line. I like simple things, and your fence wire clip is simple! I like CommonZense! Zen /

[@IdeasBox]

@@zen4men hi, thanks for commenting. Fencing is very satisfying, I've got a little more Fencing to do so I'll make another video soon. I hope you enjoy my other fencing videos.

[@zen4men]

​@@IdeasBox In South Devon on our farm, we have stone-faced earth hedges, some hundreds of years old, and teeming with wildlife, who use the hedge as a highway. They are about 5 feet high, narrower on the top than the base, but wide enough on top for a hunter ( horse ) to use the top while jumping over. My father would repair a slide with barbed wire, but I would get stone, and do what lasts 100 years. A hedge gives cattle shelter from wind, as in the lee it is 5 degrees warmer. So I rarely use wire, but always interested in ideas! /

[@perarnoldkrekling6594]

🤗🤗🤗🍔🍔🍔

[@santboiboi375]

👌👏👏👏👏🛠️🛠️🏆🏆🏆🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦

[@user-fv1lc7ng1s]

Если женщине не обьяснить популярно, для чего этот крючочек, она может подумать, что у мужа крыша съехала.

[@IdeasBox]

спасибо за комментарий

[@rickdrysdale892]

Excuse me but why not tighten the fence properly?

[@IdeasBox]

I agree.. I'd rather do it properly with a set of strainers but the lengths of wire in using this on are maybe 8 or 10 metres so can't get enough stretch to tie them off. These clips are good for that kinda length but get overwhelmed by too much wire if it's a long run. They're good in a pinch. Thanks for commenting. I hope you like my other videos too

[@jenjapa]

Непоганий тенвіт і закручувалка цікава, я робив трохи іншу, а в якості матеріалу для тенвіта використовував гвіздок 120 чи 150.

[@IdeasBox]

Spasibo za kommentariy

[@user-ht7ff6yq2h]

ДЛЯ КОГО ВИДЕО если для нас то єто я применяю лет тридцать для стяжки ульев А для американцев может єто и открьітие

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm in Australia, we have them here for many years, I have used them for about 10 years. Spasibo.

[@davideyers9405]

Really some spare fencing wire and a fencing strainer is a lot easier. I guess you do have to buy a strainer though.

[@IdeasBox]

Hi, I've got proper wire strainers but there's not enough stretch in short runs of wire to tie them off so sometimes I use this clip. Thanks for commenting.

[@sdfgsrty4524]

У нас в Челябинске бабы на таком проводе бельё сушат, а натягивают его с помощью простой прищепки и парочки нецензурных выражений в сторону пьяного мужа, который слабо натянул трос между двумя соседними осветительными мачтами. Хотя муж не виноват - это мачты погнулись, они ж сделаны из бетона и всего в полруки обхватом.

[@IdeasBox]

перевода нет, но спасибо за просмотр и комментари