Where the Hayes fence tensioner all started

[Goaty]

Recently I visited the home of the Hayes Fence strainer/wire tensioner.

Hayes Engineering Open Days: New Zealand Historic Places Trust

 

It was a good 1/2 day of interest for anyone interested in engineering history or the Hayes fence tensioner.

 

It was originally designed over a 100 years ago and still is marketed worldwide and in regular use in the fencing industry. There are 2 models the strainer with hooks for use with clamps and the original shown below that grips smooth or barbed wire then holds it whilst you secure it under tension.

Hayes Wire Stretcher - Rappa Electric Fencing

 

I will keep adding photos as I go. Here are the early types.

[Mull]

Recently I visited the home of the Hayes Fence strainer/wire tensioner.

Hayes Engineering Open Days: New Zealand Historic Places Trust

 

It was a good 1/2 day of interest for anyone interested in engineering history or the Hayes fence tensioner.

 

It was originally designed over a 100 years ago and still is marketed worldwide and in regular use in the fencing industry. There are 2 models the strainer with hooks for use with clamps and the original shown below that grips smooth or barbed wire then holds it whilst you secure it under tension.

Hayes Wire Stretcher - Rappa Electric Fencing

 

I will keep adding photos as I go. Here are the early types.

 

100yrs later they don't look very different. Cool.

[Aaron]

100yrs later they don't look very different. Cool.

 

'If it ain't broke.......'

[Matthew Storrs]

I wonder what the oldest strainers still in operation are, I reckon they go on for years.

Interesting thread.

[Mull]

I wonder what the oldest strainers still in operation are, I reckon they go on for years.

Interesting thread.

 

The ones I have are 35 yrs old. Not Hayes ones though.

[Goaty]

An older tool like Mull mentions. Probably still has more use left in it yet.

 

 

A storage unit inside the works stocked with components for the smooth grip mechanism.

Edited February 1, 2014 by Goaty

[Goaty]

These units stored various patterns for castings etc. You cannot help but be impressed with the auxillary skills real craftsmen used to have mentioned in the 2nd picture.

[Goaty]

Forge area and overhead powerdrive pulley system.