oh my gosh! I had left over random pieces from my quail hutch build. I haven't started the grow out pen but thought I'd have to buy more hardware cloth. I might have enough leftovers to sew pieces together ! Thank you for this!
Good video! As far as I can tell you have the only one on you tube! I was looking for a little easier way to join 1/2 inch hardware cloth, but alas. Hope your not offended if I add my tips. 1. The better the alignment of the wire, the easier the job. 2. A good thin pair of needle nose pliers are your best friend! My method. I start just like you, but only lap the hardware cloth one square. I then go in and out skipping every other hole, while also going around the set of wires I'm following. Pull tight as you go, and to avoid the kinks, I usually work with about 4 feet of wire at a time. About every 6 inches I double wrap at the same hole for extra strength. When finished it'll look like it was joined at a factory. Time consuming, but looks great👍!
Thanks! Good tips are always great, that's how we all learn together! Sounds like that would work great as well! I make sure mine line up as much as possible--sometimes things don't line up quite perfectly, but it's still workable! I found when I tried to wrap around periodically instead of doing this the whole way through, that it would loose tension, so that's why I didn't do it that way. If you found a way to do it without loosing tension, that sounds great!
@@sowandtare One of the best parts of the internet is how we learn! About learning, I built a 8x18x6.5 covered run and on my first reply I still had a bunch of knitting to do! I've discovered a technique that works even better for me! I hope I can describe it. I tie in my wrap wire at the start end, skip a couple holes or 3 then using a small O ring pick that's just over 1/2 inch with a 90 degree bend to wrap the wire around the running hardware cloth, and repeat. No weaving in and out. Wish I had a way to show it!
Takes a little extra $$$ but takes only a fraction of the time and a custom tool...... HOG RINGS. We use them on nearly all the avian netting that tops all our larger turkey, duck and chicken runs. We have used this method when we first got rolling and but BOY do you have sore (and sometimes bloody) fingers by the time your done! Other good trick is the stainless / metal zip ties you can get at Harbor Freight. Another great tip if using this method..... Bend up a piece of scrap cyclone fence material, make a "fish hook eye" on on end, make the whole thing with a slight bend and thread the hardware cloth just like you would a sewing needle. Another tip for twisting ends..... Safety Wire Twist Pliers. That tool will CHANGE YOUR LIFE... LOL!!!
@@sowandtare Building a chicken coop in the backyard and the hardware cloth is going on tomorrow so I wanted to make sure I knew how to do it right. Thanks again.
@@sowandtare Yes. We are going to dig a trench at least a foot deep around the entire coop and put the hardware cloth down into that and of course refill the trench.
I would think so, but I would be concerned about the animals inside if you did that. Most people would run a string of electric wire just off the enclosure to keep predators out if necessary.
J clips are generally used for making cages. I've not heard of anyone using them for this purpose. I suppose you could use them, but I don't have J clips or the appropriate pliers to use them. The wire I am using is what holds the role of hardware cloth in a roll when you buy it. Using this wire means I don't have to buy any extra material (I am basically using the packaging to put it together), it pulls tight for no gaps, and it works great.
@@sowandtare i agree! I actually did exactly the same thing as you do. But because I need to do it a lot, so I will invest some money and buy the tool to save my hand. Power tools are so expensive, but it helps so much in gardening.
That works too; the way I did it was free, as the wire comes with the roll of hardware cloth and does not require me to buy any special tools or materials.
oh my gosh! I had left over random pieces from my quail hutch build. I haven't started the grow out pen but thought I'd have to buy more hardware cloth. I might have enough leftovers to sew pieces together ! Thank you for this!
I'm just about to do this job and I would have tried to do it the hard way if this video hadn't popped up. Very helpful. Thanks.
You're welcome, and good luck! I'm glad you found this useful. Let me know how it goes!
Good video! As far as I can tell you have the only one on you tube! I was looking for a little easier way to join 1/2 inch hardware cloth, but alas. Hope your not offended if I add my tips. 1. The better the alignment of the wire, the easier the job. 2. A good thin pair of needle nose pliers are your best friend!
My method. I start just like you, but only lap the hardware cloth one square. I then go in and out skipping every other hole, while also going around the set of wires I'm following. Pull tight as you go, and to avoid the kinks, I usually work with about 4 feet of wire at a time. About every 6 inches I double wrap at the same hole for extra strength. When finished it'll look like it was joined at a factory. Time consuming, but looks great👍!
Thanks! Good tips are always great, that's how we all learn together! Sounds like that would work great as well! I make sure mine line up as much as possible--sometimes things don't line up quite perfectly, but it's still workable! I found when I tried to wrap around periodically instead of doing this the whole way through, that it would loose tension, so that's why I didn't do it that way. If you found a way to do it without loosing tension, that sounds great!
@@sowandtare One of the best parts of the internet is how we learn! About learning, I built a 8x18x6.5 covered run and on my first reply I still had a bunch of knitting to do! I've discovered a technique that works even better for me! I hope I can describe it. I tie in my wrap wire at the start end, skip a couple holes or 3 then using a small O ring pick that's just over 1/2 inch with a 90 degree bend to wrap the wire around the running hardware cloth, and repeat. No weaving in and out. Wish I had a way to show it!
@@scottsellers9039 Awesome!
@scottsellers9039 it would be great if you make a video of that!
This is really helpful, thank you!
You are welcome!
You do fine work girl!!!👍👍enjoyed the video.. thanks from nc
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Takes a little extra $$$ but takes only a fraction of the time and a custom tool...... HOG RINGS. We use them on nearly all the avian netting that tops all our larger turkey, duck and chicken runs. We have used this method when we first got rolling and but BOY do you have sore (and sometimes bloody) fingers by the time your done! Other good trick is the stainless / metal zip ties you can get at Harbor Freight. Another great tip if using this method..... Bend up a piece of scrap cyclone fence material, make a "fish hook eye" on on end, make the whole thing with a slight bend and thread the hardware cloth just like you would a sewing needle. Another tip for twisting ends..... Safety Wire Twist Pliers. That tool will CHANGE YOUR LIFE... LOL!!!
Great information… thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching, I am glad you enjoyed it!
I have tried sewing hardware clothe before and always ended up with a bunch of kinks. Thanks for showing how to avoid that.
It's super simple once you know how. Once there is a kink in the wire, forget about it. Thanks for watching!
😀 thank you!
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you!
You are welcome, I am glad you enjoyed it!
@@sowandtare Building a chicken coop in the backyard and the hardware cloth is going on tomorrow so I wanted to make sure I knew how to do it right. Thanks again.
@@lifeasrob1757 Absolutely! Are you digging it into the ground so predators don't dig under?
@@sowandtare Yes. We are going to dig a trench at least a foot deep around the entire coop and put the hardware cloth down into that and of course refill the trench.
@@lifeasrob1757 Awesome! Good luck!
Good Idea to use the wire that came with the spool. I used old electric fence wire and it is way to thick.
Thanks, the only trick is to keep it from kinking up so it's still smooth.
Can I electrify hardware cloth?
I would think so, but I would be concerned about the animals inside if you did that. Most people would run a string of electric wire just off the enclosure to keep predators out if necessary.
@@sowandtare lol I'm wrapping the mesh around my growbags and there are lots of ducks here with no respect for peoples' property
@@dinosanchez8528 Got it.
will use J clip be easier?
J clips are generally used for making cages. I've not heard of anyone using them for this purpose. I suppose you could use them, but I don't have J clips or the appropriate pliers to use them. The wire I am using is what holds the role of hardware cloth in a roll when you buy it. Using this wire means I don't have to buy any extra material (I am basically using the packaging to put it together), it pulls tight for no gaps, and it works great.
@@sowandtare i agree! I actually did exactly the same thing as you do. But because I need to do it a lot, so I will invest some money and buy the tool to save my hand. Power tools are so expensive, but it helps so much in gardening.
@@xdrive300011 Good luck and let me know how it works for you!
What gauge wire?
I'd have to check. As I used it only for walls and ceiling, not as a flooring. It's the only 1/2" hardware cloth I found at Tractor Supply.
You can get a spool of stainless steel safety wire at any of the home improvement stores. 100 plus feet, easy to work with and super strong.
Are you kidding? Get hog ring pliers and hog rings. Cost is $40 or so. Fast.
That works too; the way I did it was free, as the wire comes with the roll of hardware cloth and does not require me to buy any special tools or materials.