Ocg-1 Brushless Cordless Clip Gun — Why Every Fencer Needs One
If you've ever spent a full day clipping mesh to star pickets by hand — squeezing ring fasteners one at a time with a pair of fencing pliers — you know the toll it takes on your hands, your wrists, and your patience. The OCG-1 Brushless Cordless Clip Gun changes that equation completely.
WHAT IS IT?
The OCG-1 is a brushless, cordless fencing clip gun designed specifically for attaching mesh to star pickets and posts. Instead of manually bending ring fasteners around the mesh and picket with pliers, you position the gun, pull the trigger, and the clip is driven home. Done. Next one.
It's the fencing equivalent of going from a hand saw to a circular saw — same job, fraction of the time, fraction of the effort.
HOW IT WORKS
The gun uses pre-loaded clips in a magazine strip. You position the nose of the gun where the mesh wire meets the picket, squeeze the trigger, and the clip is driven around both the mesh wire and the picket, securing them together. The brushless motor drives the clip with consistent force every time.
One trigger pull = one secure clip. No hand fatigue from squeezing pliers. No fumbling with loose ring fasteners. No variation in clip quality — every clip is driven with the same force and the same wrap.
WHY BRUSHLESS MATTERS
Brushless motors are the standard in quality cordless tools now, and for good reason:
More efficient: Brushless motors convert more battery power into work, which means more clips per charge.
Longer life: No brushes to wear out. The motor itself will outlast the rest of the tool.
Less heat: Brushless motors run cooler, which means the gun is comfortable to hold even after extended use.
More power: For the same battery size, a brushless motor delivers more torque than a brushed equivalent.
THE SPEED DIFFERENCE
On a standard rural fence with mesh clipped at top, middle, and bottom of each picket, a skilled fencer using manual ring fasteners can clip about 15-20 pickets per hour (depending on the mesh and conditions). That's roughly 3-4 clips per picket, each one requiring you to position the clip, hold it, and squeeze pliers with enough force to bend the wire around.
With the OCG-1, that rate jumps to 40-60+ pickets per hour. You're basically limited by how fast you can walk between pickets and position the gun, not by the clipping itself.
On a 1km fence with 200 pickets and 3 clips each (600 clips total), the time saving is substantial:
Manual: 10-13 hours of clipping
Clip gun: 3-5 hours of clipping
That's a full day saved on a single kilometre. For a contractor doing multiple kilometres per week, the ROI on the gun is measured in days, not months.
THE ERGONOMIC BENEFIT
This is the one people don't think about until their hands start hurting. Manual fencing clips require significant grip strength, repeated hundreds of times per day. After a few hours, your hands ache. After a few days, you're genuinely struggling. Over months and years, repetitive strain injuries are a real risk.
The clip gun requires a simple trigger pull — minimal hand effort. Your hands, wrists, and forearms will thank you. Professional fencers who've switched to clip guns consistently report less fatigue and fewer hand injuries.
WHO SHOULD BUY ONE?
Professional fencing contractors: This is a no-brainer. The time saving pays for the gun within a few jobs.
Farmers and property owners doing their own fencing: If you're fencing more than a few hundred metres, the clip gun makes the job dramatically easier and faster. Even if you only fence once or twice a year, the reduced physical toll is worth it.
Anyone with hand or wrist issues: If grip strength or repetitive strain is a concern, the clip gun removes that obstacle entirely.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
The gun itself, compatible clip magazines (make sure you're buying the right clips for your mesh and picket type), and charged batteries. Like any cordless tool, having a spare battery on the charger while you work is good practice.
We stock the OCG-1 and compatible clips at Outback Fencing Supplies. Come in and we'll show you how it works — once you try it, you won't want to go back to manual clips. 76 Astill Drive, Orange, or call 0434 093 077.
BATTERY LIFE AND REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE
45-60 clips per hour — but with the OCG-1, that number jumps to 120-150 clips per hour. You're looking at roughly triple the output with significantly less physical strain.
The lithium-ion battery in the OCG-1 typically delivers 800-1000 clips per charge, depending on conditions and clip size. That translates to roughly 6-8 hours of continuous clipping — more than enough for a full day's work. The battery charges completely in about 90 minutes, so even on bigger jobs, a spare battery keeps you running without delays.
In practical terms, what used to be a two-day job for mesh installation can often be completed in a single day. The time savings alone justify the investment, but the reduction in repetitive strain injuries makes it a no-brainer for professional fencers and serious property owners alike.
COMPATIBILITY AND CLIP OPTIONS
The OCG-1 works with standard galvanised clips in multiple sizes to suit different mesh gauges and Outback Picket profiles. Whether you're installing lightweight garden mesh or heavy-duty rural fencing, there's a clip specification that matches your requirements.
The magazine system holds 50 clips at a time, and reloading takes less than 30 seconds. The clips come pre-stripped and ready to load — no sorting, no dropping individual clips in long grass, no stopping to pick up scattered fasteners when the wind picks up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the OCG-1 battery last in real-world conditions?
Under typical working conditions, expect 800-1000 clips per full charge. That's roughly 6-8 hours of continuous use. Cold weather can reduce battery performance slightly, but most fencers find one battery easily handles a full day's work with clips to spare.
Can I use the OCG-1 with different mesh types and Outback Picket sizes?
Yes, the OCG-1 works with various mesh gauges and standard Outback Picket profiles. Different clip sizes are available to match your specific combination of mesh and picket. The gun's adjustable depth setting ensures proper clip tension regardless of the materials you're using.
Is the OCG-1 worth it for smaller residential jobs?
If you're only installing 50 metres of garden mesh once, probably not. But for anyone doing regular fencing work — rural properties, contractors, or serious DIY enthusiasts — the time savings and reduced physical strain make it worthwhile. Many hire it out for specific projects rather than purchasing.
Use our free fencing calculator to estimate your project, or give Jess a call on 0434 093 077 for expert advice.