Thread: Tool ID question

Fence Strainer??


John

Hi John,
Yes maybe, but I think I would need 3 hands to work it

I was hoping it might be a star stake puller, but I can't figure out any way to make it work as one.

Terry

My first thought was star picket lifter. To use it I'd imagine that you loop some wire (eg #8 guage) and tie it at one of the holes in the star picket and then hook the hook end in that loop and start winding.

Then thinking about it again it would be pulling the post sideways to some degree which isn't ideal but may be enough to move the post and then finish lifting the post out manually.

Judging by the paint still on the underside of the foot I'd say that it wasn't used that much otherwise there would have been no paint left.

Another thought is that it may be missing a part. Do the bars pivot on the base?

Yes both bars pivot on the base.
I thought it might drop over the stake, but the gap is too small.
Wishful thinking I guess because I need a stake lifter.

If it is a stake lifter there must be a bit missing - something to grip the stake.
I have been trying to use a Hi Lift jack in the past but the problem is always effectively gripping the stake. I have a bent 10mm D shackle which shows how tight a stake can be.

Terry

For a grip on the star picket, you need a piece of plate, at least 10mm, and I would say 12mm better, with a square notch cut in it that is a slightly loose fit on a steel post. This needs to be pivoted on one edge on whatever you use to lift it, so that when lifted by that edge it jambs on the post.

My one comprises a flat ground plate with a pair of posts about 30cm high, between which is pivoted a short lever, which has the gripper described above on one end, and has welded to it a piece of pipe about 30cm long that is a neat fit for a crowbar. Works quite well.

John

Thanks John, yes there is a company near here who make something similar, but with a 3 lobed hole, and I think probably case hardened. Richmond Engineering in Maffra.

Might have to de-rust my supposed toolmaking skills and get into it.

Terry

Originally Posted by rover-56

Yes both bars pivot on the base.
I thought it might drop over the stake, but the gap is too small.
Wishful thinking I guess because I need a stake lifter.

If it is a stake lifter there must be a bit missing - something to grip the stake.
I have been trying to use a Hi Lift jack in the past but the problem is always effectively gripping the stake. I have a bent 10mm D shackle which shows how tight a stake can be.

Terry

Troubles me that both pivot as you rightly mention some of those star pickets can be a pain to remove. With both pivoting then you may not get the leverage as all that will happen is that the 'lifter' just leans more and more toward the post. If a 10mm D shakle bent then a couple of loops of #8 wire through the one of the holes on the post will definitely stretch but it but may still work.

The other thing this reminds me of is perhaps for straining ring-lock fences but it is missing the gripping part that sandwiches the ring-lock. That would be almost be a two man job to strain - one to strain and then one to tie the ring-lock to the wire runners.

Mike

Hmmm.... all the suggestions so far are fence related. Mind you I can't think of anything better.
Need someone to see the post who says... "Ah yes I used to use one of those"
Terry