Essential Tools for Building Durable Fences

Likely we’ve all heard the carpenter’s mantra, “Use the right tool for the job.” While excellent advice, it doesn’t just apply to carpenters. People in every trade and profession have found that employing a tool that was designed for a specific task usually gets that job done faster, easier and better.
And often the converse is also true. 

Let’s discuss what equipment is available and should be used for the various aspects of fence building.

Whether you are an old-time farmer or a newly minted acreage owner, fences are (or will) become a large part of your life. There are a number of types of fencing available, depending on the intended purpose for your land. 

Many of the tools needed can be found in toolboxes almost everywhere. Others are more specialized and may need to be acquired prior to building your fence.

So, what kind of fence is appropriate for your land and purpose? And which tools should you be using?

Let’s walk through some basic fence-building equipment and also touch on a couple of specialty items. Having and using the right tool for the job can make your fencing project functional and attractive — and even fun to build and maintain.

The Fence Building Bag

Before diving into your project, it’s essential to have the right tools on hand. Whether you’re working with wood, metal or a combination of both, using the proper equipment will make the job easier, more efficient and ensure a sturdy, long-lasting fence. 

Beyond the Basics

Even wire fencing requires wood corners since regular steel posts will bend under the strain of being pulled from two different directions. Some builders prefer using wood line posts as well, such as for post and rail fences. Even though the line posts do not need to be as deep as the corners, digging that many holes with a manual post hole digger can be exhausting. This is where a powered auger can be a life and labor saver. They can be truck- or tractor-mounted, tow behind or one- or two-man gas-powered hand augers. If you’re on the fence about purchasing one, they can all be rented from big box stores and tool rental companies.

The One-Man Tow Behind Auger

Possibly the best post digging machine developed for the “lone wolf” fence builder is the tow-behind one-man auger.

The auger bit hangs from a pivot at the back end of the machine where the operator controls are. At the front end is the gas engine which also acts as a counterweight. At the center is a wheeled fulcrum. The machine is self-propelled, so all the operator has to do is “drive” it up the fence row and center the tip of the auger over the potential hole. He then engages the auger drive and slowly pulls down on the handle mechanism as the bit eats through the dirt and deposits it around the neatly dug hole. Finally, he slowly lifts it out and drives on to the next one. Unless it runs into an underground rock field, it will plow out uniform 8-inch wide and 3-foot-deep post holes with relative ease.

Tools for High-Tensile Fencing

High tensile fences are arguably the best type of fencing for the greatest number of applications. They are also quite attractive. But they present some unique challenges that require specialized tools. While installing a regular wire fence requires little more than an old broom handle to unspool it, high-tensile wire is quite different. It is springy and tangles easily. This is where the spin jenny shines. It is essentially a low-friction revolving spool that accepts standard wire coils, allowing you to unroll the wire as needed when building your fence. The jenny sits on the ground in place while you walk away with the end of the wire in your hand. This ensures a kink- and twist-free wire that is easy to handle and attach.

High-tensile wires also require specialized tensioners. These gadgets resemble a fly-fishing reel and are so simple and inexpensive that they stay attached to the wire permanently. Whenever a fence wire sags, whether due to expansion and contraction from weather or from being leaned on by heavy animals, the slack is easily taken up using a ratchet handle that connects to the tensioner. These handy devices also work well on barbed wire.

Fencing as a Tradition

There seems to be a romantic, almost mystical, quality about farms nestled on acreage with miles of fencing surrounding green pastures and stock grazing in them. Whether you are new to acreage life or a seasoned farmer, you will want to make sure that the wire web that surrounds your property properly represents your presence in the time-honored landowner tradition. With fences — building or mending — be sure to use the right tool for the job.

Tool Essentials

Below are some essential tools that will help you get the job done right.

• Hammer: A basic claw hammer is essential for any job. A straight claw is more versatile than a curved one, and a steel or fiberglass handle ensures durability.
• Shovel: A round- or pointed-nose shovel is a must-have, but a square-nose shovel is also useful. Steel or fiberglass/steel shovels last longer but are heavier than wood.
• Posthole digger: A clamshell digger is great for fine-tuning and tight spots. Consider models with curved handles for straighter, deeper holes.
• Gloves: A sturdy pair of leather or synthetic gloves protects against blisters and punctures while ensuring flexibility and comfort.
• Wire cutters: Durable, comfortable wire cutters are essential for easily cutting wire, especially high-tensile fencing.
• Post driver: A commercial driver is safer and more efficient than a sledgehammer for driving T-posts.
• Come-along: A one-ton come-along keeps wire fencing taut, adjusting for weather changes and preventing sagging.
• Fence tensioner: A ratcheted tensioner works similarly to a come-along but is ideal for individual wire fences.
• Breaker/tamper bar: A six-foot bar breaks up hard soil for post digging and tamps soil for secure corner posts.
• Chain saw: Useful for clearing branches and trimming posts. Electric models work near home; gas saws are better for remote jobs.
• Fence pliers: A multipurpose tool for cutting, pulling, crimping and repairing both wood and wire fences.