Flat Chain !!@#!@@!#!

Do you have a flat chain tool?  If i can i try to clamp the tool in a vice and put the plain links in it then drive the attachment links into the plain links.

I feel your pain.

I have a couple young guys that work for me. When i have a job like that i deligate it.

dave63 wrote: I have a couple young guys that work for me. When i have a job like that i deligate it.

Yea, even with the tool it can be a frustrating and hurtfull job.  New chain is way worse than used chain, maybe take a cutoff tool and taper the link slightly so it will start easier.  Good luck Tom!!!

Never had a problem with split link chain, BFH and that chain tool for that type of chain, everything should pop right together.  Try working on them on an old corn picker with no bench or solid place to stike against, then things get tricky. 

I used to assemble detachable chain for a living, before I started running the press that makes it.
 If you want it to assemble easier, you can drive a small chisel into the opening in the barrel end spreading the gap. It helps to have a curved surface to set the barrel in. Keep in mind if you have side by side chains with flighting in between, you need to maintain even links. We used to measure the 10 foot coils before assembling the attachments and pair them up by length. It took about 2 seconds to insert an attachment in place of a straight link using the die and press set up for it.
 The tailgate of a truck isn't solid enough to use as a bench for linking chain. A vise mounted on a receiver would be better, but a big anvil would be best. The WD45 drawbar has worked for fixing broken chain on my picker before but I was into any kind of production process at the time either.


Edited by CTuckerNWIL - 23 Sep 2011 at 9:30am

TedBuiskerN.IL. wrote: Never had a problem with split link chain, BFH and that chain tool for that type of chain, everything should pop right together.  Try working on them on an old corn picker with no bench or solid place to stike against, then things get tricky.

CTuckerNWIL wrote: I used to assemble detachable chain for a living, before I started running the press that makes it.  If you want it to assemble easier, you can drive a small chisel into the opening in the barrel end spreading the gap. It helps to have a curved surface to set the barrel in. Keep in mind if you have side by side chains with flighting in between, you need to maintain even links. We used to measure the 10 foot coils before assembling the attachments and pair them up by length. It took about 2 seconds to insert an attachment in place of a straight link using the die and press set up for it.  The tailgate of a truck isn't solid enough to use as a bench for linking chain. A vise mounted on a receiver would be better, but a big anvil would be best. The WD45 drawbar has worked for fixing broken chain on my picker before but I was into any kind of production process at the time either.

TomYaz wrote: TedBuiskerN.IL. wrote: Never had a problem with split link chain, BFH and that chain tool for that type of chain, everything should pop right together.  Try working on them on an old corn picker with no bench or solid place to stike against, then things get tricky.      Dont ever become my neighbor....

TomYaz wrote:   So you ran a press for it? wouldnt that be nice to have....your idea may work but afraid of weaking the new link by spreading it like that? Then you would have to pull it out eventually as you drive the link in....and your back to the problem again.  Getting the link started is not as bad for me as getting it all the way thru.

CTuckerNWIL wrote: TomYaz wrote:   So you ran a press for it? wouldnt that be nice to have....your idea may work but afraid of weaking the new link by spreading it like that? Then you would have to pull it out eventually as you drive the link in....and your back to the problem again.  Getting the link started is not as bad for me as getting it all the way thru. It won't weaken the link. The die in the press would sometimes open the gap making one chain longer than the other.  We used to have a curved anvil on the bench while stretch testing the chain. We would close the gap up a little on each link to match lengths for pairs going to an apron.

Rawleigh wrote: Tom:  How about a small arbor press?? http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_35091_35091

TomYaz wrote:   So what your saying is you open up the barrell with a puch of sorts, pull it out, slip the other link in, and press the barrell back in place?  Sounds good if I got it right... but need to figure out how to hold the attachment or plain link in place so I can press the punch in....cant put a vice on the shop press deck...

No, not a punch. You take a small chisel and set it right in the gap cross ways of the  link. Tap on the chisel a few times, it might work with a big screw driver. What you want to do is make the gap a little wider by spreading the curved part of the barrel back a little.
 Adding attachments that are 2 sided is a little trickier than adding a single sided attachment. If that is what your working with, you need something with a hole in it, so you can set the barrel and pin on something solid, then drive the regular link in place.
 Maybe you need a testosterone injection with all them females around. LOL


Edited by CTuckerNWIL - 23 Sep 2011 at 4:51pm

I agree with everyone else about the "BFH". But you can also use a BF C-clamp if you are afraid of bashing your fingers. Works sorta like a press once you have everything lined up.