How to Build Wire Fencing With Pliers

Lay out the fence line by walking along the area's perimeter with a measuring wheel and hammering in marker stakes with the fencing pliers to represent where the metal fence posts will go. For a wire fence, the posts are usually 8 feet apart.

Tie string between the two corner stakes at either end of the fence line; this creates a straight line to serve as a visual reference. If any stakes are misaligned, pull them up and re-plant them to straighten the line.

Pull out the first stake in the line and drive in the first metal fence post. Hold the post with one hand and strike the top with a few blows from the hammer end of the fence pliers to drive it into the ground enough so it will stand on its own. Check the post by setting a level alongside it to ensure it is plumb and adjust the post if it is not. Place a post driver over the top of the post and pound it down until 1/3 of the metal fence post is buried. Repeat this step to set every fence post in the line.

Set a roll of wire mesh onto the first fence post and unroll it down to the next post. Position the mesh so it is level and raised off the ground, then slide hooks over the mesh and through the notches in the metal post. Go around to the other side of the post and secure these hooks by squeezing the ends together with the fence pliers.

Continue to unroll the fencing wire down the fence line, securing the wire to the metal posts by repeating Step 4 at each post. If you have an assistant to help you, have him pull the wire, prior to fastening it to the posts in the fence line, to create a little tension.

Cut away the excess wire from the roll, if any, by clipping it off with the wire cutters in the fence pliers after fastening the wire to the last fence post.