Fences and Gates - How to curve chainlink fence toprail?
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Jake16888
05-10-09, 10:27 PM
I am installing a chain link fence for the in-laws. They want it to circle their pool. I have the majority of it installed, but when I comes to putting in the top rail I am not sure how to go about curving the top rail. Any (easy) suggestions? Thanks!
GregsFence
05-11-09, 04:58 PM
Jake16888;
Curving a top rail is actually very easy . Once you do it the first time you would have no problem doing it again and again.
In regards to the degree of the curve, that would have to be something you can just guess, being you are the only one who knows exactly what you need to do.
I think the only thing that would be difficult to do would be for me to describe how to perform the task... not actually doing it .
What you need is something to bend the top rail against. Often when I am doing such a job I look around for a tree that has two limbs coming out of one area. Two trees that are closely located to one another, Or you could look for a sturdy post that is close to a building or something of that nature.
All you need do is determine where the bends have to be and put the rail up to the post or tree limb at that measurement from the end of the rail , , then all you need to do is push the rail against the post or tree limb bending it . Do not go too far because bending too far may pose as an issue when trying to bend it back. If you do not bend it enough you could always go back for another tug.. but too much is just a little different to back up on.
Lets explain it this way...
Most top rails are in 21 or 24 foot lengths.
Most chain link fence jobs have line posts anywhere from 8 to 10 foot spacings. That depending on your preference and or the specs of the job itself. I do 8 foot spacings or less. I try my best never to go over that 8 foot mark unless we are to speak of 2 or 3 inches over.
When it comes to the rail, lets assume you have a bend on the end of an oval to oblong shaped pool enclosure. The last post on the end of the straight run is where the next rail begins. So the first post which is anywhere from 8-10 feet away is where you would put a mark on the rail. Then you make your bend according to the radius to that rail. You put it on trial and error until you have the radius at the exact or more or less exact look you need.
Again , do not go too far with the bed. Doing so and not backing up that step may result in their being too much pressure on the loop caps. This may in fact break the caps or have the rail slip off the top of the posts while you assemble the rest of the fence.
You will know how far too far is once you do it .. like I said, trial and error. But do not try to have an error.
After you make the first bend and you know it is correct, then you make the next mark and bend that too. Of course in the same direction as the last bend and without a doubt make sure the bend is squared off from the last bend. The last thing you need to do is have a bend giving you the radius you need and then another bend giving you a drop instead of a turn.
This really is a lot easier to do than it is to explain. I wish I had video capabilities. that would make everything so much easier. :)
Good luck... If I did not manage to explain it enough to make sense and you have another question, please do not hesitate to ask.. either I or someone else here can give it a shot.
Thanks ,
Gregs Fence ~
Curving a top rail is actually very easy . Once you do it the first time you would have no problem doing it again and again.
In regards to the degree of the curve, that would have to be something you can just guess, being you are the only one who knows exactly what you need to do.
I think the only thing that would be difficult to do would be for me to describe how to perform the task... not actually doing it .
What you need is something to bend the top rail against. Often when I am doing such a job I look around for a tree that has two limbs coming out of one area. Two trees that are closely located to one another, Or you could look for a sturdy post that is close to a building or something of that nature.
All you need do is determine where the bends have to be and put the rail up to the post or tree limb at that measurement from the end of the rail , , then all you need to do is push the rail against the post or tree limb bending it . Do not go too far because bending too far may pose as an issue when trying to bend it back. If you do not bend it enough you could always go back for another tug.. but too much is just a little different to back up on.
Lets explain it this way...
Most top rails are in 21 or 24 foot lengths.
Most chain link fence jobs have line posts anywhere from 8 to 10 foot spacings. That depending on your preference and or the specs of the job itself. I do 8 foot spacings or less. I try my best never to go over that 8 foot mark unless we are to speak of 2 or 3 inches over.
When it comes to the rail, lets assume you have a bend on the end of an oval to oblong shaped pool enclosure. The last post on the end of the straight run is where the next rail begins. So the first post which is anywhere from 8-10 feet away is where you would put a mark on the rail. Then you make your bend according to the radius to that rail. You put it on trial and error until you have the radius at the exact or more or less exact look you need.
Again , do not go too far with the bed. Doing so and not backing up that step may result in their being too much pressure on the loop caps. This may in fact break the caps or have the rail slip off the top of the posts while you assemble the rest of the fence.
You will know how far too far is once you do it .. like I said, trial and error. But do not try to have an error.
After you make the first bend and you know it is correct, then you make the next mark and bend that too. Of course in the same direction as the last bend and without a doubt make sure the bend is squared off from the last bend. The last thing you need to do is have a bend giving you the radius you need and then another bend giving you a drop instead of a turn.
This really is a lot easier to do than it is to explain. I wish I had video capabilities. that would make everything so much easier. :)
Good luck... If I did not manage to explain it enough to make sense and you have another question, please do not hesitate to ask.. either I or someone else here can give it a shot.
Thanks ,
Gregs Fence ~