DeWalt Hog Ring Pliers Kit

Why I reached for these pliers

A good hog ring tool turns a tedious chore—tying wire to wire—into a rhythmic, predictable process. I put the DeWalt hog ring pliers through several fence and enclosure jobs, including fastening hardware cloth to a frame, securing wire mesh to T‑posts, and closing a few feed bags. The promise here is simple: collated 16‑gauge rings feed automatically so you can work one‑handed and keep your off hand on the fence or fabric. In practice, that’s mostly what I got—faster production with a few quirks you’ll want to know about before you buy.

Design and build

The pliers are all business: case‑hardened steel with a heavy‑duty feel and rubber grips on an ergonomic handle. At 10.4 inches long and roughly 1.9 pounds, the tool isn’t dainty, but it feels solid and tracks straight as you squeeze. The jaws hold the ring squarely, and the feed channel keeps the next ring in line. The overall impression is durability first, finesse second.

DeWalt rates it for 16‑gauge collated hog rings, specifically 11/16‑inch rings (their DWR16G1M). That size and gauge are a sweet spot for fencing, cages, and netting where you need a stout mechanical connection that still closes without extraordinary hand strength.

The automatic feed is the right idea

The spring‑loaded magazine and auto‑feed are the standout features. Once loaded, you position the jaws, squeeze, and the next ring advances automatically. On long runs—think attaching mesh to a linear span—this saves time and keeps your other hand free to pull the wire tight. When the rhythm is right, I was able to place rings consistently and move down the line quickly without fumbling for loose fasteners.

There is a caveat: the system is sensitive to ring alignment and cleanliness in the feed channel. If debris gets into the track (bits of galvanizing, sawdust, dirt), or if a strip of rings is a little skewed, you’ll feel the advance get gritty and occasionally hang. A quick tap or opening the jaws clears most stalls, but I did have a few moments where the feed stopped until I unloaded, brushed out the channel, and reloaded. It wasn’t constant, but it was enough to plan short pauses into the workflow.

Loading and the “last ring” behavior

Loading isn’t difficult, but it’s not tool‑free brainless either. The collated strip needs to be oriented correctly and seated square in the magazine; if you rush it, you can cross things up and invite misfeeds later. After a few reloads, muscle memory kicks in, but I still found myself double‑checking the strip alignment.

One quirk: the final ring on a strip doesn’t always advance cleanly. On my tool, the last ring occasionally popped loose or failed to seat fully in the jaws. Not a dealbreaker—just expect to lose the last ring now and then or need to finish that strip with a manual placement.

Ergonomics and control

The handle geometry is friendly. The rubber grips are tacky without being gummy, and the spring resistance is balanced well for 16‑gauge work. Over long sessions, I felt normal forearm fatigue but nothing acute, and I didn’t develop hot spots or blisters. Because of the tool’s mass, accuracy actually improves a bit once you settle into a cadence—the weight dampens wobble as the ring closes.

Where control falls short is in tight corners and awkward angles. The nose has some bulk (that’s the tradeoff of an integrated feed), and getting a ring perfectly placed in inside corners or near obstructions can be frustrating. My workaround was to approach diagonally or switch to a manual single‑ring plier for the last few fasteners in tight spaces.

Ring closure and holding power

With 11/16‑inch 16‑gauge rings, the closed diameter and clamping force feel appropriate for most fence and cage materials—wire mesh to wire, mesh to 12–14‑gauge line wire, and similar. On smaller diameter wire (think finer mesh or thinner tie wires), the tool sometimes leaves a slightly looser closure than I’d like. The ring is still secure, but you can rotate it with effort. When that mattered, I followed up with a regular pair of pliers to give the ring an extra squeeze. It’s quick, but it is an extra step.

On heavier intersections—mesh to welded panels or thicker line wire—the rings closed uniformly and held firm. The jaws form an even “C” and don’t kink the ring unless you misalign the stock or try to force a placement. I had no trouble with rings splitting or cracking.

Compatibility and consumables

Sticking with 16‑gauge collated rings is key; the feed and jaw geometry are designed for that gauge. I used DeWalt’s 11/16‑inch rings primarily. Other collated rings that match the gauge and collation pattern should work, but variances in the glue strip and spacing can affect feeding reliability. If you need absolute consistency, buy a couple of ring brands and test them before committing to a big job.

The kit includes a starter pack of collated rings, which gets you going right away. For a day’s fencing, plan to have extra strips on hand; you’ll go through them faster than you think once you get in a groove.

Durability and maintenance

The case‑hardened components inspire confidence, and the tool shrugged off a few drops onto gravel without issue. After a few hundred rings, I noticed only cosmetic wear on the jaws and feed lip. Preventive care helps: blowing out the magazine channel periodically and adding a tiny shot of dry lubricant kept the advance smooth. Avoid oily lubes around the feed path—they attract dust and fines that cause more problems than they solve.

The one‑year warranty is standard fare. Given the simplicity of the mechanism, I expect long service life if you keep the feed area clean and don’t try to run off‑spec rings through it.

Speed versus precision

This tool is built for throughput. If your work is mostly repetitive—long seams of fencing, cage building, netting to line wire—these pliers will save time and keep your off hand where it’s needed. If your work involves lots of tight access or delicate fit‑ups, the bulk of the head and the fixed closing profile can make it feel less precise than a small manual set. That’s not a flaw so much as the nature of collated, auto‑feed hog ring tools.

What I’d improve

• A more forgiving loader: A redesigned magazine that guides the strip into perfect alignment would reduce fussy reloads.
• Better last‑ring retention: A small detent or follower tweak could keep that final ring from wandering.
• Slimmer nose option: An accessory nose or alternate jaw profile for tight corners would extend the tool’s usefulness in cage interiors and enclosure corners.

Who it’s for

• Builders doing fences, animal enclosures, aviaries, or wire mesh partitions where you’ll place dozens or hundreds of rings in a session.
• DIYers who want one‑handed operation to keep the mesh tensioned with the other hand.
• Anyone prioritizing speed and consistent placements over intricate access in tight corners.

Who should look elsewhere: Upholstery techs or light‑duty users who need smaller rings and fine access; this 16‑gauge, 11/16‑inch format is overkill there. Also, if you expect flawless auto‑feed with a mix of ring brands and jobsite grit, you’ll need to build in some cleaning time or pick a simpler non‑collated plier.

Bottom line

I recommend the DeWalt hog ring pliers for fencing, mesh, and cage work where volume and consistency matter. The auto‑feed system legitimately speeds up production, the tool feels durable, and one‑handed operation is a real advantage when you’re juggling material. You do pay a tax in the form of occasional feed stalls, a slightly fussy reload, and limited access in tight corners. If you can live with those tradeoffs—and keep the feed path clean—you’ll get a reliable, time‑saving tool that earns its keep on wire‑heavy projects.