Collecting Electric Fence Insulators - Part One
Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", July 1997, page 22
Electric Fence insulators are not exactly the hobby's most popular specialty.
In fact, I know of only two other people who actively collect fence insulators.
Gene Condon, and Bob Wilson Jr., president of one of the worlds largest fence
insulator companies. I intend to show that fence insulators and equipment can be
a fun specialty, how to go about collecting electric fence equipment, and
lastly a directory of electric fence insulator companies. In part one of this
two part series, you will see a breakdown of insulators and equipment, which
should be helpful in choosing a collecting specialty if you don't decide on how
I collect. (Everything I can get my hands on.)
The electric fence industry dates
back to the 1930's, when Parker-McCroy Mfg. Co. introduced the worlds first fence
charger. Along with this charger, Parmak sold a small porcelain single groove
insulator which Wisconsin Porcelain developed. Since then, porcelain, and
plastic companies have been turning out a volume of different styles, in all
shapes and sizes, plus many different gate handles, and a number of
accessories. Collecting these items is both fun and a challenge.
There are about
eleven different types of insulators being sold today. They are pinlocks, poly
tape, wood post, porcelain, T-post, U-post, round post, corners, extenders,
economy and ones with a metal clip.
Go-Withs include; Lightning Arresters and protection equipment, gate
handles, chargers, warning signs, testers, dealer displays and advertisement
posters. Many of these go-withs are fascinating, and really set off a collection
of fence insulators. Dealer displays and advertisement posters are in a class by
themselves. The posters come in several sizes and show a company's line of
products. The displays have the actual insulators attached to various posts, or
a plastic backdrop. These usually have to be purchased from the company who
makes the insulators, and are a bit space consuming, but look wonderful and are
great attention-getters.
There are five displays that I know of that are
currently available. They are offered by two companies, Red Snap'r (North
Central Plastics, 1-800-533-2091), and Dare Products (1-800-922-3273). Red
Snap'r has three of them, a partial line display, and a display with nine
insulators that you can hang on a wall. They also have a high tensile fence
insulator display. Call for prices.
Dare has a larger display than Red Snap'r,
and a high tensile display. Call for prices. There are a couple of displays that
are out of production, but are really neat. One is the old Accessories Mfg. Co.,
"Silent Salesman", which has their lightning arrester and a few other
items. It is really neat. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has one of
these displays. The second display is no longer in production, but is the best
display I have ever seen. It is the Fi-Shock International display. I am not
sure what all was on it, as I only saw it a couple of times two or three years
ago. It has insulators mounted on the assorted posts, wires, and a switch. The
display is made to be plugged in, and something moves on it. My memory is not
clear. Hardware stores that sold Fi-Shock may have one of these displays for
sale if you ask. Try either Ace Hardware, or Eagle Hardware & Garden. Fi-Shock
now uses a poster showing their insulators. I have ordered one of these, and
should get it soon.
One of the best ways to start a collection is to go to
stores that sell fence insulators. Some stores will sell only full bags, others
will sell you single insulators. Look through what is for sale; and either buy
one of each, or what you like. Ask to see their insulator catalog, you may be
able to order other styles not offered. Some insulator companies will also send
you samples and all will send you their catalog. In part two of my article, I
will present a directory of insulator companies, and show you how to "walk
the lines" to collect fence insulators. I can assure you that it is just as
fun as hunting line insulators, and sometimes more challenging.
I would like to do some question and answer articles, so if you have a fence
insulator question, feel free to write me.
Trivia: We all know about the glass Surge insulators, but did you know there
is another glass fence insulators. Do you who sells it? (Hint: The company is in
Kansas, and the insulator has a white plastic coating. The first person (if any)
who sends me the answer will receive free, the booklet "Collecting Electric
Fence Insulators" which I am currently working on. It will show how to go
about building a fence insulator collection, a directory of fence insulator
companies, and possibly an illustrated dictionary of insulator types.
I am also assembling a list of "substitute" insulators used on
fences; it is an interesting list. We all have seen porcelain wireholders, used
on wood posts, but do you know of any other insulator, or non-insulator (such as
Coke bottles used on round posts with a small steel rod)? If you have any
questions, please feel free to write to me.
STEVE COFFMAN, 4446 N. Hett Lane, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
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