The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: bwms on October 27, 2020, 12:59:16 pm

Title: Wire tensioning buckle
Post by: bwms on October 27, 2020, 12:59:16 pm

Hi All,

I've been dipping into your forum for a year now.  I have a 1.5 acre plot made up mostly by two paddocks at either side of my 1980's bungalow.  The land has been abandoned for few years and it's been a learning curve trying to get things into shape.  To be honest it's damage limitation whilst I get the house refurbished.

I've a few wire fences that sare sagging.  They have rachet buckles that can be turned to take up some slack.  My usual sockets don't fit the square peg on the buckle.  In my head there is a special wrench tool for the job, or did I just imagine it?

Any suggestions appreciated :-)

Title: Re: Wire tensioning buckle
Post by: Dan on October 27, 2020, 02:11:29 pm

Welcome to the forum!

Those are called radisseurs, and I just use an adjustable spanner for turning the spindle, and a nail to slip through the retaining holes if it's not the rachet type.

For any new fencing I now use Gripples - pricier to get setup, but much easier to install and re-tension.

Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Wire tensioning buckle
Post by: captainmark on October 29, 2020, 08:26:35 am

agree with the gripples - easy to use. I have used to tension existing by cutting a section out and replacing with new piece of wire / 2 gripples.  (my wires already have gripples but the clown who installed didn't leave the tails long enough!). imho you don't need the top end contractor quality tools.  I bought:

https://rghsupplies.co.uk/products/gripple-plus-starter-pack-kit-wire-tensioning-torq-tool-50-medium-wire-joiners?_pos=1&_sid=1abcd17c1&_ss=r (https://rghsupplies.co.uk/products/gripple-plus-starter-pack-kit-wire-tensioning-torq-tool-50-medium-wire-joiners?_pos=1&_sid=1abcd17c1&_ss=r)

https://rghsupplies.co.uk/products/gripple-release-key?_pos=1&_sid=7f8a6a84c&_ss=r (https://rghsupplies.co.uk/products/gripple-release-key?_pos=1&_sid=7f8a6a84c&_ss=r)

And for 'nice bodging' to older existing where gripples not suitable have found this invaluable too:

https://www.toolstation.com/fence-wire-tensioning-tool/p91413?store=A5&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIusOrzK_Z7AIVxbHtCh3VvwTNEAQYASABEgLvxPD_BwE (https://www.toolstation.com/fence-wire-tensioning-tool/p91413?store=A5&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIusOrzK_Z7AIVxbHtCh3VvwTNEAQYASABEgLvxPD_BwE)

Title: Re: Wire tensioning buckle
Post by: bwms on December 20, 2020, 04:27:24 pm

Thank you both, apologies for the delay. . .  its been kinda wet and place looks like a world war battlefield.  I like the sound of this, shall investigate and do as you suggest  ;D