Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-04-30 Origin: Site
A magical little piece of hardware that will simplify your trellis build and keep your support wires tight.
LET US BE YOUR GUIDE!
If you have grown grapes, kiwi, espaliered fruit trees, caneberries, or any number of hearty climbing vines, you know very well that a sturdy trellis is a basic necessity.
we have many different styles of trellises, but one thing almost all of them have in common are: guide wires.
Guide wires are exactly what they sound like they would be. Lengths of wire that span from one side of a trellis to the other. Their job is to guide, support, and contain vines, cordons, and shoots as they grow.
A guidewire providing support for a grapevine.
The basic concept of a trellis with guide wires is simple enough. A well anchored post at one end, a well anchored post at the other end, with guide wires strung in different configurations in between. No matter how your trellis is set up, you will need to figure out a way to tighten the wires so they remain in place under the weight of the plant and the harvest.
LOOSEN UP OR HANG TIGHT?
So the concept of a trellis looks pretty simple, right?
Well in theory it is, but if you have ever attempted to build a trellis using guide wires, you have likely experienced what we consider one of the more challenging parts of the process:
Getting those pesky wires tight, and then keeping them that way.
This can be hard to do well and over time the wires often sag or pull out.
In that time, we have used many different methods for attaching and tightening guide wires to trellis posts. Simply wrapping the wires, basic wire crimpers, permanent ratchet tighteners, wire rope clamps, and turnbuckle tightening systems. If it’s something someone somewhere has come up with to keep trellis wire tight, we probably have an example in the arboretum:
Never fear! We are fast approaching the part of this post where we introduce this magical piece of hardware we came here to tell you about. But first - a few examples of why we find it to be such a needed item:
In an attempt to help make your next trellising attempt as painless as possible, we are pleased to finally introduce you to our favorite little piece of DIY trellising magic:
THE ONE WAY ANCHOR WIRE VICE
Drill a hole through your post or support board.
Insert the hardware into the hole.
Secure with two screws.
Pull the wire through.
Tighten by pulling and then use a pair of pliers to grasp and use leverage against the pole to pull the wire tighter.
