How to Tighten Tension Wire on a Chain Link Fence

You decided to build a chain link fence. You have themany of the "loops" (caused by it being rolled) as
posts set. You even figured out how to get the railyou can. Take the free end of the tension wire and
ends on and have the top rail in place. Now its timethread it through the brace band at the terminal post
to put the bottom tension wire on. No matter howyou are going to attach too. Pull the wire as tight as
hard you try or how hard you pull the wire, you justyou can get it, and wrap it around itself a few times
can't seem to get it tight.as you did at the first post.
The common wire used as bottom tension wire onThe wire should be fairly tight, but may push away
chain link fencing is a 9 gauge galvanized wire. Itfrom the posts about a foot. Tighten your brace
usually comes in rolls of 170' or more. The wire isbands. Take your pliers (lineman pliers work best) and
thick, heavy, and is difficult to stretch. Here is agrab the tension wire with the pliers by either one of
simple way to tighten the wire, and all you need is athe terminal posts. With a firm grip, twist the pliers to
pair of pliers. Start by attaching one end of the wirethe left or right. The tension wire will form a "z" were
at a terminal post (also known as an end post oryou twisted. Work your way down the fence line
corner post). Put the wire through the brace bandtwisting the tension wire in this matter at every post.
and wrap it around it's self a few times. It is notYou will notice the further you work down the line,
recommended to try and pinch the wire in the bracethe harder the wire is to twist. This is due to the
band to secure it. Roll the wire out along the fencewire getting tighter and less slack being able to be
line.twisted. Put as many twists in the wire as needed to
Cut the wire a couple feet past the next terminalachieve the tension you desire.
post you are securing it to. Walk the fence line againThis is a simple way to tighten bottom tension wire
and make sure the tension wire has no kinks, is notand make sure the bottom of your chain link fence is
caught on any roots or under growth, and get out assecure.