How to Close a Hog Ring

Hog rings are metal staples that close with pliers. The ends of the hog ring may be sharp or dull depending on the specific use. Upholstery work often uses hog rings to fasten material to a frame, especially if the frame is metal and traditional staples won't work. Chain link fences and other mesh-type fences sometimes use hog rings to fasten sections together or to fasten the mesh to the frame. Does this Spark an idea?

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Hog ring pliers

Instructions

- 1
  
  Open the jaws of the hog ring pliers. Fit the hog ring into the jaws. Each jaw has a slot or groove that the ring fits into. Different design types allow the pliers to hold the ring with the ring ends out the end of the jaws or out the side of the jaws, depending on the intended use of the hog ring.
- 2
  
  Hold the pliers and hog ring against the material. For example, to fasten a chain link fence section to another section, hold the pliers so one end of the hog ring protrudes through one fence section and the other end protrudes through the other section. To fasten upholstery fabric to a metal frame, position the hog ring so the jaws of the pliers are on either side of the frame against the material. Push the sharp ends of the hog ring though the material.
- 3
  
  Squeeze the pliers' handles until the hog ring is fully closed. On a fence, the hog ring will make a circular or triangular ring through the two sections of fencing. On an upholstery project, the ring will penetrate the fabric and clamp it to the metal frame.

Tips & Warnings

You can use regular pliers to close hog rings in a similar fashion, but the ring is more difficult to hold until you close it.
Wear safety glasses. If the ring slips out when you squeeze the pliers, the ring can shoot out from the pliers.