How to Install and Properly Tension Cameo™ Fence
With your:
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End posts drilled and hardware installed
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Line post brackets mounted
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Corner collars secured
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Cameo Pulse™ installed
It’s time to run and tension the main structure of the fence:
Cameo™.
In Episode 9 of the Cameo™ Skill Builder Series, Clayton walks through how to:
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Run Cameo strands
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Feed into one-way vices
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Apply correct tension (without machines)
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Secure tag ends cleanly
This is where many installers get it wrong.
And it doesn’t require tractors, skid steers, or come-alongs.
Step 1: Run the Cameo Strands
Load your Cameo roll onto a holder and begin walking the line.
If you have multiple installers:
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One person pulls
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One keeps lines separated
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One feeds into brackets
Clayton notes that you can run multiple lines at once — but it can also be done one at a time.
As you walk:
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Feed into line brackets
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Wrap around corners
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Insert temporary screw if pin is missing
Keep tension light — just enough to prevent tangles.
Step 2: Cut the End on a 45° Angle
When you reach the end post:
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Cut the Cameo on a 45-degree angle.
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This makes feeding into the one-way vice easier.
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Insert through the pre-drilled hole.
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Feed into the vice.
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Leave about 12 inches of tag end.
The angled cut prevents binding.
Small detail. Big difference.
Step 3: Remove Sag — But Do NOT Fully Tension
This is critical.
Clayton emphasizes:
At this stage, you are not tensioning the fence.
You are only removing sag between posts.
Walk the line visually:
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Sag gone?
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Even between posts?
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No dips?
That’s your starting point.
If you’re running long stretches, you may need to adjust from both ends.
Step 4: Apply the 1% Tension Rule
Here’s where most people get it wrong.
You only tension Cameo about 1% of the total run length.
Example:
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180-foot run
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1% = 1.8 feet
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Roughly 1 foot 8 inches
Mark that measurement on the back side of the line.
Now:
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Wrap the line around your hand
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Pull until your mark reaches the post
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That’s full tension
That’s it.
No machinery.
No over-tightening.
No stretching the life out of it.
Why 1%?
Over-tensioning:
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Strains posts
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Warps brackets
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Shortens lifespan
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Makes future adjustment harder
Under-tensioning:
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Creates sag
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Reduces fence performance
1% is the engineered sweet spot.
Step 5: Secure Tag Ends with Line Straps
Once tensioned:
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Fold tag end downward.
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Cut about an inch behind front strand.
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Install line strap halfway up post.
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Insert strap screw.
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Tuck tag end into strap.
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Snug it down.
Why secure tag ends this way?
If you ever need to re-tension:
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Remove one screw
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Pull again
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Re-secure
It keeps adjustments simple.
Final Result
A properly tensioned Cameo fence:
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Has no sag between posts
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Feels firm but not over-tight
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Maintains consistent spacing
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Looks clean and professional
Clayton puts it best:
He installed Cameo Pulse and Cameo in a collared shirt — and didn’t get dirty.
That’s how streamlined the system is.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using tractors or heavy equipment
❌ Over-tensioning
❌ Skipping the 1% measurement
❌ Cutting too short before tensioning
❌ Not removing sag before applying final pull
Proper tension protects the system long-term.
What’s Next?
With Cameo and Cameo Pulse installed and tensioned:
The next step is connecting your electric system.
That’s where the fence becomes fully operational.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need machinery to tension Cameo fencing?
No. Cameo fencing is designed to be tensioned by hand.
How tight should Cameo fencing be?
Only tight enough to remove sag, plus approximately 1% of total run length for final tension.
Why cut the end at a 45-degree angle?
It makes feeding the strand into the one-way vice easier and smoother.
How much tension is 1%?
For a 180-foot run, 1% equals approximately 1 foot 8 inches.
Can Cameo be run multiple strands at once?
Yes, with multiple installers, several strands can be run simultaneously.
Why use line straps at the end?
Line straps secure tag ends but allow easy future re-tensioning if needed.