All Steel Fence Using Only Hand Tools

Want an all steel farm fence option that requires no welding or special tools? This week’s video might be the setup you’ve been looking for. The FenceStay end assembly by Trigger Engineering gets a workout this week as I try a new method of steel fencing with no special tools or skills required. While straining StiffStay mesh in 8X15X900 to the ends, I also secure the fence with a new (to this channel) method of tying off, that makes the fence stronger, safer and easier to construct. Keeping the fence up along the run, I use what might be the strongest steel intermediate posts available, the “Stockpost XL“.

Driving the Posts

I have to be honest. The 76mm Fence Stay posts were not the easiest to ram in with a petrol picket driver, especially as they were 2.2m tall. However, the end result gave me a post that was as solid as a rock, with the dual benefits of steel posts and rammed posts and there is no need to call a contractor. I’m looking forward to seeing what Steve (the brains behind Trigger) comes up with to drive these posts more easily. Apparently he’s already working on a solution. In the meantime, look forward to taking a while to ram them. At least you don’t need expensive contractors or tractors to accomplish the job…. just a bit of patience.

Tying off The Fence.

Once the end assemblies were put together (a breeze) I decided to try a new trick I learned while on a visit to NSW recently and completely wrap the end assemblies with the wire. This trick turned out to be the winner of the video as I not only found it easier to tie off of the ends, but a much stronger fence structure. Having the Trigger Engineering steel post end assembly to wrap around made this possible. However I think there could be an application with plastic wrapped posts as well, like the Woodshield posts I have trialled a few times on the channel. Basically, anything with low friction and dent resistance should be a perfect candidate for this sort of end assembly approach. It not only makes straining easier but it looks good too!

The Advantage

I call it the pocket or envelope wrap, but basically you use the entire box end assembly as a single post, tying off to the run behind the stay post. This keeps the stay wire (or prop) away from stock and treats the end assembly as a single unit. This makes tying off the wire so much easier, without the fouling of stay wires or posts to contend with. It also does away completely with the need for expensive joiners commonly used on fabricated wire fences. If you were thinking of using a popular and common ratchet-style joining device (that will remain unnamed here…. get a grip) then this method will see you saving upwards of around $16-20 in joiners per run! Not a trivial amount if it’s your shout at the bar….

Stock Posts

The Stockpost XL intermediates were easy to get in the ground with the petrol post rammer. Bear in mind though that my old favorite 1200mm hand driver would not fit them. They are too big! Make sure you have a large enough driver to use them before you get home and become disappointed. I’m looking forward to a new post driver from Trigger coming out in the near future that should overcome this problem and make the ends easier to put up as well.

Wrapping Up

Time to get good at the termination knot again guys! The fence was as solid as a rock when finished and looked great with the all galvanised posts. This should be an advantage in my high rainfall area. I hope you feel inspired to fence your property and change your land use for the better.

Until next time; “That’s Knot Going Anywhere!”

Tim.