WIRE STRETCHERS.
lever and ratchet for tightening wireFig. 84.—The Clark Stretcher.
Fig. 84.—The Clark Stretcher.
Fig. 84.—The Clark Stretcher.
For stretching barb wire there are various implements in the market, and other quite simple and effective devices can be made on the farm.Figure 84shows the Clark stretcher and the manner of using it. Another stretcher, called the “Come Along” stretcher,figure 85, is used not only for tightening the wires, but also for handling it, in building or moving fences.
ratcheting wire holder on an iron ringFig. 85.—The “Come Along” Stretcher.
Fig. 85.—The “Come Along” Stretcher.
Fig. 85.—The “Come Along” Stretcher.
two bars with hook to hold wireFig. 86.—Home-made Wire-stretchers.
Fig. 86.—Home-made Wire-stretchers.
Fig. 86.—Home-made Wire-stretchers.
hand toolFig. 87.
Fig. 87.
Fig. 87.
The useful wire-stretcher,figure 86, consists of a mowing machine knife-guard, bolted to a stout stick; one curved, as shown in the lower engraving, is preferable to a straight one, as it will not turn in the hand. When using it, the wire is held firmly in the slot, and may be easily stretched by applying the stick as a lever. Another kind of a wire-stretcher may be made of hard wood or of iron or steel bars. It consists of three pieces, two arms and a splicer, fastened together in the manner shown infigure 87, leaving a slot near one end to hold the wire. The longer arm is made immovable upon the splice by means of two or more heavy bolts, while theshorter arm is pivoted by one bolt. This allows the slot to be opened to receive the wire. The short arm is sharpened so that it may be stuck into a post, or the side of a building, if convenient. By placing this lever behind a post, one man can stretch thoroughly a long string of wire. When one man is doing the work alone, he can stretch the wire, fasten the lever back by means of a stick driven into the ground before it, and then go back and drive the staples. The short end of the lever should be about twelve inches long, and the long arm three or four feet, or even longer.
wire stretcher toolFig. 88.—Stretcher And Gauge.
Fig. 88.—Stretcher And Gauge.
Fig. 88.—Stretcher And Gauge.
The stretcher shown infigure 88is made of hard tough wood or iron. The wire is passed through the slot, the barbs preventing it from slipping. The arm at right angles to the lever is used to measure the distance of the strands. When the lever is set against the post, the arm rests on the strand below. By sliding it up or down, the distance between the strands is regulated.
Figure 89shows another stretcher, that can be made by any blacksmith. The toothed cam holds the wire so that it will not slip. A block and tackle are often found useful to draw the wires with. The rolls of wire are paid out of a wagon body, and when the wire is to be drawn up, the grip is put on at any point, the tackle is attached, and one horse draws it as tight as it needs be.
hand tool for gripping wireFig. 89.—Grip For Fence Wire.
Fig. 89.—Grip For Fence Wire.
Fig. 89.—Grip For Fence Wire.
A wire fence needs frequent drawing up or it sags andbecomes useless. The alternate contraction and expansion caused by change of temperature soon stretch the wire, to say nothing of other causes. The cheap and effective method employed by telegraph companies is illustrated infigure 90. It consists of a pair of grip tongs and a set of small tackle-blocks. The tongs may be made by any blacksmith, and the blocks are sold at all hardware and tool stores. An iron hook is used to couple the tongs to the block, and as the wire is drawn up, the free end of the rope may be given a turn around the same post, to hold it while the staple is tightened to hold the wire.
block and tackle used to tighten wireFig. 90.
Fig. 90.
Fig. 90.