Abstract: A buffer tube clencher (47) elongates a buffer tube (43) in a cable manufacturing machine (41) to reduce excess fiber length (EFL). The clencher (47) includes first (49,57) and second (69,73) sets of wheels with first and second gaps (63) therebetween to guide the buffer tube (43). At least one wheel of the first set of wheels (49,57) and of the second set of wheels (69,73) is driven to cause the buffer tube (43) to elongate, and at least one wheel of the first set of wheels (49,57) and of the second set of wheels (69,73) is biased and able to move away from the other wheel against a biasing force to accommodate an imperfection in the outer surface of the buffer tube (43), such that the buffer tube (43) remains under an elongation force by at least one driven wheel even if slippage occurs as the imperfection passes by the other driven wheel of the first and second sets of wheels.