Homemade Electric Fence Insulators

[Bercado]

Does anyone know a good design for electric fence insulators? I keep thinking empty plastic food containers would work, but I have't invented anything yet.
Please share your ideas.

[geo in mi]

I use PVC (white) as thimbles to run the wires thru the barn wall out to the garden. Maybe that, a coping saw, and some glue? Sounds like a fun winter shop project.....

geo

[countryfied2011]

depends on your posts....on our wood posts a lot of times we use old water hoses to wrap round the post or t-post if it is on a corner also hard plastic piping instead of nailing into the post or trees. When we put up our last farm fence last month we used hard black plastic about as big around has your thumb, run the wire through it and then steepled it to the post. That way you are not spending a lot of money on insulators...use what you have around the house.

[pancho]

Anything that is non conductable will work.

[rambler]

They are out in the sun, so they need the ultraviolet protection in anything plastic.

Stuff like food containers won't be, and will be brittle, cracked, and gone in 2 years or less. Not worth the effort.

--->PAul

[Bearfootfarm]

Why would you want to do that, when the real thing is so cheap?

[fantasymaker]

Jugs with loop handles.

[mink]

on the high tensile fences they run wire threw plastic tubes. like stated plastic insulators are cheap and threw experience ive learned skip the plastic and go with the porcelain insulators.. you wont be sorry

[Copperhead]

A good nylon rope is good for an inside corner. Even if it is only a little "inside". I fold the rope in half, run it around the tree -- oops, I meant "post", and back through the loop to make a slip knot. Then I tie two loose ends in a knot, containing the tensile.

Don't know how long it will last, but I got 100' of rope from Tractor Supply for $5.

Got to admit, my "go-to" insulators are the dual-purpose (wood/T-Posts) Pinlocks from TS. Been experimenting with Ring insulators after buying the attachment for my 18v cordless drill, but only the old, rubber style are any good. The new plastic ones at TS don't handle any kind of strain. Oh yeah, speaking of pinlocks and cordless drill, I really like 2" drywall screws for attaching insulators. Occasionally they'll rust out, especially in an oak tree, but so far, the vast majority have outlasted expectations. I guess I could spend the extra for stainless deck screws . . .

[Bearfootfarm]

I guess I could spend the extra for stainless deck screws

There are "coated" deck screws much cheaper than stainless, but longer lasting than drywall screws

[farminghandyman]

glass beer or pop bottle over a rod post with the wire tied/wired on the neck of the bottle.

I would think a plastic would work as well but not last as long,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

if you has a short run one can slip small plastic tube on the wire in short 2 or 3" sections and staple them to a wood post,

[Rustaholic]

Originally Posted by farminghandyman

glass beer or pop bottle over a rod post with the wire tied/wired on the neck of the bottle.

I would think a plastic would work as well but not last as long,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

if you has a short run one can slip small plastic tube on the wire in short 2 or 3" sections and staple them to a wood post,

Where do we get those glass bottles now?

[Silvercreek Farmer]

The gray PVC used for electrical conduit is UV stabilized. I have some that has been laying in the sun for 4 years and doesn't appear to have become brittle. If dipped in boiling water it can be bent easily, but will pinch if you are not careful.

[PNP Katahdins]

Originally Posted by Rustaholic

Where do we get those glass bottles now?

Beer.

Peg in - you guessed it - Wisconsin

[pancho]

Originally Posted by Rustaholic

Where do we get those glass bottles now?

Just about any store that sells beer.
Another benefit. You can't use full bottles.