How did/do you guys tighten hardware cloth?

[ark3422]

I'm currently building my run and have posts set and am running my hardware cloth now but I am finding it difficult to tighten after setting the initial post with hardware cloth and screws. I have provided a pic below. I am curious to see how other people have tightened it because even pulling on it doesn't seem to remove all the slack. Is there a tool, trick, or tip that can help me? Also, it would help if it would work higher because I plan to run a second strip of hardware cloth on top of the current one in the pic as well.

I've been looking at some other runs too and it doesn't look like the hardware cloth is absolutely perfectly straight on them but it is tight, if that makes sense. Should that be expected?

I am assuming whatever is posted would work for chicken wire too, which is what I am going to use over the top for netting?

https://imgur.com/HL5bpsP

 

[Ridgerunner]

It is very important that you start it out straight and level. That can take a bit of trial and error. Also, if the ground is not perfectly level you can get sags in it. Chicken wire is more forgiving but hardware cloth is not. I've had to make adjustments at several posts on uneven ground.

The way I stretch mesh wire is to make a clamp out of a couple of pieces of 2x4. I used to have a photo but that got lot in a computer crash and I don't have my stretcher any more. But I drill two holes in the 2x4's and put a bolt through those holes with washers and a butterfly nut. I clamp that down over the ends of the wire. I drill two holes in the ends of the 2x4's and put a cable through them. This cable is what I attach my come-along to with a sliding hook. Since the hook can slide it is self-adjusting. It equalizes the tension on the top and bottom of the stretcher.

Hardware cloth does not need to be stretched that tightly, it's more about the alignment. Some sagging isn't the end of the world, it still works. But it will not follow the contour of uneven ground.

Do a search on "wire mesh fence stretcher" for photos and ideas.

Good luck.

 

[ark3422]

It is very important that you start it out straight and level. That can take a bit of trial and error. Also, if the ground is not perfectly level you can get sags in it. Chicken wire is more forgiving but hardware cloth is not. I've had to make adjustments at several posts on uneven ground.

Right. As you can see from my photo, the ground is definitely not level so I guess I should expect some dags based on your assessment.

The way I stretch mesh wire is to make a clamp out of a couple of pieces of 2x4. I used to have a photo but that got lot in a computer crash and I don't have my stretcher any more. But I drill two holes in the 2x4's and put a bolt through those holes with washers and a butterfly nut. I clamp that down over the ends of the wire. I drill two holes in the ends of the 2x4's and put a cable through them. This cable is what I attach my come-along to with a sliding hook. Since the hook can slide it is self-adjusting. It equalizes the tension on the top and bottom of the stretcher.

That's a good idea. I'll look and see if I can find any additional pics or ideas online.

Hardware cloth does not need to be stretched that tightly, it's more about the alignment. Some sagging isn't the end of the world, it still works. But it will not follow the contour of uneven ground.

That's actually a relief to read. I plan on adding wood over the bottom and mid seams as well and that will probably help with the way it looks.

Do a search on "wire mesh fence stretcher" for photos and ideas.

Good luck.

Will do. Thanks for the input. Appreciate it.

 

[reddogmaster2]

I'm currently building my run and have posts set and am running my hardware cloth now but I am finding it difficult to tighten after setting the initial post with hardware cloth and screws. I have provided a pic below. I am curious to see how other people have tightened it because even pulling on it doesn't seem to remove all the slack. Is there a tool, trick, or tip that can help me? Also, it would help if it would work higher because I plan to run a second strip of hardware cloth on top of the current one in the pic as well.

I've been looking at some other runs too and it doesn't look like the hardware cloth is absolutely perfectly straight on them but it is tight, if that makes sense. Should that be expected?

I am assuming whatever is posted would work for chicken wire too, which is what I am going to use over the top for netting?

https://imgur.com/HL5bpsP

First off, make sure you place hardware cloth under the ground around the coop/run to keep predators from digging in.

I use a heavy construction quality stapler and staple as I straighten/tighten. Then I go back and use 1x4 lumber fastened to the posts and beams to to help secure the hardware cloth and keep it tight.

Good luck and make sure you wear gloves, long pants and long sleeve shirt. Working with hardware cloth is like fighting 3 drunk monkeys!

 

[Big Doggie]

First off, make sure you place hardware cloth under the ground around the coop/run to keep predators from digging in.

I use a heavy construction quality stapler and staple as I straighten/tighten. Then I go back and use 1x4 lumber fastened to the posts and beams to to help secure the hardware cloth and keep it tight.

Good luck and make sure you wear gloves, long pants and long sleeve shirt. Working with hardware cloth is like fighting 3 drunk monkeys!

It’s easier to have straight and tight HC if your 2x4s are closer together. Mine are 16” apart with a top and bottom horizontal 2x4. No stretching needed.

 

[Big Doggie]

It’s easier to have straight and tight HC if your 2x4s are closer together. Mine are 16” apart with a top and bottom horizontal 2x4. No stretching needed.

I also don’t know what type of stapler you’re using but the 3/4” lathe screws you can get at Home Depot are really pull proof. Raccoons can rip out most staples from a stale gun.

 

[BigLar368]

I finished our coop a couple of months back and this was the most frustrating (sagging HC) thing till I figured out a way to stretch it. It's always easier with two people but my wife is not really an outdoor person...lol. What I did was I tried to start at the top and made the HC as square as I possibly could. I found an old file....just something I could wrap my hand around. Then I took a piece TIG wire and wrapped it around the file till the TIG wire was only about 8 inches long. At the end of the TIG wire I made a small hook. I could take that hook and pull the file which in turn stretched the TIG wire pretty much where I wanted it to go. You could use any kind of handle. The file was just the first thing I found next to the TIG wire...lol. Hope this helps.