How to Cut a Chain Link Fence
You want to know how to cut a chain link fence? Below you can find out the easiest and most effective ways.
OVERVIEW
- Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
- Experience Required: Medium
- Tools Required: Mini Bolt Cutter, Marker
- Materials Required: Chain Link Fence
METHOD A – STEP 1) Mark the Strand
- Chain link has a woven construction so to make sure you follow the same strand when cutting, it’s best to mark it from bottom to top.
- Use a marker and follow the strand of wire that you’d like to cut.
METHOD A – STEP 2) Cut One Strand of Wire
- Grab a mini bolt cutter and cut the marked strand from bottom to top.
- Make sure you follow the strand of wire which is marked so you get a straight line.
METHOD A – STEP 3) Remove the Excess
- Remove the small offcuts of wire that are weaved in the intact piece of chain link.
METHOD A – STEP 4) Pull Away the Cut Down Part
- After you’re done removing the offcuts, pull the separated section away from the rest of the roll.
METHOD B – STEP 1) Mark the Strand
- To make sure you follow the same strand when unhooking the ends, mark along the length of the strand where you’d like your first section to end.
METHOD B – STEP 2) Undo Ends of the Wire
- Use a plier to unhook the top and bottom ends of the strand you just marked.
- Straighten the wire’s ends so you can untwist it through the links easily.
METHOD B – STEP 3) Unweave the Strand of Wire
- Start untwisting the strand while pulling it towards you.
- Work with a partner as you need the extra hands to unweave the strand.
METHOD B – STEP 4) Separate the Sections
- If you unwove the strand of wire all the way, you’ll automatically have two clean sections of chain link so you just need to separate them by pulling them apart.
TIPS
Working through this guide helped us identify both the strengths and the trickier parts of the process, which we’ve compiled into the list below to help make this guide more useful.
- Unweaving a strand is easier and quicker to do than cutting through each individual link so the second method is recommended for shortening this type of fencing.
- Make sure to unroll the chain link fence the correct way: you should do this on a flat even surface and the loose end of the roll should face upwards.
FURTHER READING
- How to Unroll Chain Link Fence – Learn about the correct way to unroll chain link fence without damaging its twisted construction
- Visit our Chain link shop page – we stock galvanised and green PVC rolls of chain link in all heights. You could also check out our hub for more advice around chain link fences.
VIDEO
Written By
This blog was created by our Technical Consultant, Erno who participated in many chain link fence projects.
