Chain link fencing is everywhere. It lines backyards, schools, and industrial lots. Most people assume you need an angle grinder or bolt cutters to deal with it. That is not always true. You can open, cut, unweave, or remove chain link fencing with basic tools and the right technique. The method you choose depends on whether you want to reuse the fence, make a temporary opening, or get rid of it entirely.
How Do You Open a Chain Link Fence Without Cutting It?
You can open a chain link fence without cutting a single wire if the fence uses a tension bar and bands. This is the standard hardware on most chain link gates and some sections. The tension bar runs vertically through the chain link fabric at the end of a section. Metal bands called tension bands wrap around the bar and the terminal post, holding everything tight.
To open it, loosen the nuts on the tension bands with a wrench. Slide the tension bar out of the chain link fabric. The fabric will now be loose and can be pulled away from the post. This creates a gap wide enough to walk through. Reverse the steps to close it again. This method works best when you need temporary access and plan to reuse the fence.
Some people report success with prying the tension bands off without loosening them. That damages the bands and makes reassembly difficult. Take the extra two minutes to use a wrench. The hardware is cheap to replace but a hassle to find in the right size at a local store.
What Is the Easiest Way to Cut Chain Link Fence?
Bolt cutters are the easiest tool for cutting chain link fabric. The wire in standard residential chain link is 11 or 9 gauge. A 24-inch or 30-inch bolt cutter will snap through each wire with one squeeze. Cut each diamond-shaped wire individually near the bottom and top rails. Work your way across until the section is free.
Angle grinders work faster but create sparks and noise. They also leave sharp edges that need filing. For most homeowners, bolt cutters are safer and require no electricity. Research published by the American Society for Testing and Materials notes that chain link wire tensile strength is around 80,000 PSI. Bolt cutters with hardened steel jaws handle this easily.
A hacksaw works in a pinch but takes much longer. The blade binds on the zinc coating and you will go through several blades. If you only have a hacksaw, lubricate the blade with oil and cut at a slow, steady pace. This is not the tool to use if you have a large section to remove.
How To Open Chain Link Cut Unweave Or Remove: Step by Step
Removing a full section of chain link fence involves three steps: cutting the fabric, unweaving the tension bar, and pulling the posts. Start by cutting all the tie wires that attach the fabric to the top rail and line posts. These are small wires twisted around the rail and through the fabric. Cut them with wire cutters or the same bolt cutters you use for the fabric.
Next, find the tension bar at the end of the section. Unbolt the tension bands and slide the bar out. The fabric will now be free on one end. Cut the fabric at the other end of the section near the next post. Roll the fabric up like a carpet. A standard roll of chain link fabric is 50 feet long and weighs about 100 pounds for 4-foot height. Have a second person help if the roll is large.
Remove the top rail by unscrewing the rail ends from the line post caps. Pull the posts last. Concrete footings make this the hardest part. Dig around the post base to expose the concrete. Rock the post back and forth to loosen it, or cut it off at ground level with a sawzall. For a comparison of methods, see the table below.
| Method | Best For | Time Required | Tools Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unweave tension bar | Temporary access, reusing fence | 10 minutes | Wrench |
| Cut with bolt cutters | Removing fabric, no power tools | 20 minutes per 10 feet | Bolt cutters, wire cutters |
| Cut with angle grinder | Fast removal, thick wire | 5 minutes per 10 feet | Angle grinder, cutting wheel |
| Pull concrete posts | Complete removal | 1 hour per post | Shovel, sawzall, truck or jack |
Can You Unweave Chain Link Fence Without Cutting?
Yes, you can unweave chain link fabric by hand if the wire is not rusted or crushed. The fabric is made of interlocking diamond shapes. Each wire is a continuous spiral that weaves through the row above and below. To unweave, find the start of a wire at the bottom edge. Pull the wire out of the weave one diamond at a time.
This is slow work. A 50-foot roll of chain link has hundreds of individual weaves. Expect to spend an hour or more for a short section. Unweaving is useful when you want to salvage the fabric for reuse in a smaller area. The wire comes out in long, straight pieces that can be rewoven or used for other projects like garden trellises.
Wear heavy gloves. The cut ends of chain link wire are sharp. The zinc coating also flakes off and can irritate skin. Some people report that unweaving is meditative and satisfying. Most people find it tedious and switch to bolt cutters after ten minutes.
What Tools Do You Need for Chain Link Removal?
The basic tool list is short. Bolt cutters with 24-inch handles handle most residential wire. A socket wrench or adjustable wrench for tension band nuts. Wire cutters for tie wires. A hammer and pry bar for loosening posts. A shovel for digging out concrete footings.
For tougher jobs, add an angle grinder with a metal cutting wheel. A reciprocating saw with a demolition blade cuts through posts and concrete. A farm jack or come-along pulls stubborn posts out of the ground. The CDC reports that over 40,000 emergency room visits per year involve ladder or tool-related injuries from home projects. Use eye protection and gloves with any power tool.
- Bolt cutters (24-inch or 30-inch)
- Adjustable wrench or socket set
- Wire cutters or lineman’s pliers
- Shovel and pry bar for posts
- Angle grinder or sawzall for tough spots
- Heavy work gloves and safety glasses
What Are the Common Mistakes When Removing Chain Link?
The biggest mistake is cutting the tension bar instead of unbolting it. The tension bar is reusable. Cutting it creates a sharp, unusable piece of metal and wastes money. Another mistake is pulling the fabric while it is still attached to posts. This tears the fabric and leaves jagged edges. Always cut tie wires first.
Many people also underestimate the weight of the concrete footings. A standard 4-foot post set in concrete weighs 50 to 80 pounds. Trying to lift it out by hand strains your back. Use mechanical advantage. A simple lever with a 2×4 board under the post base multiplies your strength. If the concrete is deep, cut the post at ground level and leave the concrete in the ground. It will not cause problems for most future uses of the yard.
Another common error is cutting the fence too close to a property line. Check your property survey before removing fence sections. Removing a fence that belongs to a neighbor can create legal issues. Some states have laws about shared fence maintenance and removal. When in doubt, ask the neighbor first.
Is It Better to Cut or Unweave Chain Link?
Cutting is faster. Unweaving preserves the wire. Choose cutting if you are removing the fence permanently or if the wire is rusted. Rusted wire is brittle and breaks when you try to unweave it. Choose unweaving if the wire is in good condition and you want to reuse it for a smaller fence, garden project, or art installation.
There is no evidence that one method is structurally better for the remaining fence. Both methods leave the adjacent sections intact if done carefully. The choice comes down to time versus material value. Chain link fabric costs about 10 to 20 cents per square foot. For most people, the time spent unweaving is not worth the savings. But if you enjoy working with your hands and have the patience, unweaving produces clean, reusable wire that costs nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut chain link fence with wire cutters?
Standard wire cutters will not cut chain link wire. The wire is too thick and hard. Use bolt cutters or an angle grinder instead.
How do I remove a chain link fence post from concrete?
Dig around the post to expose the concrete base. Rock the post back and forth to loosen it, or cut it off at ground level with a sawzall. Leaving the concrete in the ground is often easier.
Do I need a permit to remove a chain link fence?
Many cities require a permit for fence removal, especially if the fence is on a property line. Check with your local building department before starting.
Can I reuse chain link fabric after cutting it?
Yes, if you cut the fabric carefully at the edges. Use bolt cutters to cut cleanly through individual wires. The cut edge can be reattached with new tension bars and bands.
