Making heavy duty chain - GIF

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Sep 28, 2018, 01:59 PM
Jon

Making heavy duty chain - GIF

Making heavy duty chain.

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Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...4121#post79373
Sep 29, 2018, 07:33 PM
Toolmaker51

Most forming is lubricated; unless welding is to occur. Interferes with paint, some plating too, but chain seems really tough to clean.
Sep 30, 2018, 06:33 PM
Jon

Here's an example of chain welding:

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Sep 30, 2018, 06:40 PM
Toolmaker51

Reminds me, on look out soon for a spotwelder up to 10 gauge. Frank S figures ~100amps. This has to be 1/2" chain minimum. That'd kill my electricity budget!
Oct 4, 2018, 10:53 AM
PJs

I can't quite figure out the use of that forward arm...seems it's only to align the link vertically for the welding clamps??
Oct 4, 2018, 08:40 PM
Frank S

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJs

I can't quite figure out the use of that forward arm...seems it's only to align the link vertically for the welding clamps??

PJs there are 2 arms one in front and one in back yes for true centering each alternative link must be rotated opposite of the previous. Other wise the chain would become a twisted ball of a mess for both the welded and yet to be welded links the rapid moving arm to the left shears off the excess due to the forced induction welding.
TM 51 that machine is probably uses as much electricity in one day as I use all summer
Oct 7, 2018, 08:43 PM
Toolmaker51

PJs, and other interested parties;
Twisted chain...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0npdd_7qz0

Here's one making a lighter weight chain than the sample video. Good, but brief, views of pay-out reel and straightening rolls too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vswkfxCKJic

And these are just hardware, don't venture into jewelry chain. Endless!
Oct 15, 2018, 08:04 PM
Jon

I like those tongs.

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Oct 17, 2018, 07:37 AM
wizard69

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon

Here's an example of chain

The thing about chain welding, in this manner, is why doesn’t the whole link heat up? Having a bit of electronics back ground and a bit of welding experience you would think that the power would take the low resistance path.

This also has me wondering how really large chain is done. Could you imagine the power required to weld chain for a super tankers chain.
Oct 17, 2018, 08:03 AM
suther51

I have given some thought to the issue of chain welding. I have concluded that it is a matter of least resistance, or in this case shorter distance. Less steel between the "electrodes" or clamps. Surely some current travels the long way but most must take the short path. Seems that this means that there must be extra capacity of current to get a good weld. Just my own musings.
Eric
Oct 17, 2018, 02:09 PM
PJs

Quote:

I like those tongs.

Me too, think you might be able to truly call these "Duck Bills".
Oct 17, 2018, 05:22 PM
wizard69

Quote:

Originally Posted by suther51

I have given some thought to the issue of chain welding. I have concluded that it is a matter of least resistance, or in this case shorter distance. Less steel between the "electrodes" or clamps. Surely some current travels the long way but most must take the short path. Seems that this means that there must be extra capacity of current to get a good weld. Just my own musings.
Eric

Maybe but if you consider the current that goes the other way wasted energy then such welding must be inefficient compared to say a wire welding process. You would have to figure that hundreds of amps (maybe thousands) are being dumped into that large chainlink.
Oct 17, 2018, 07:18 PM
Frank S

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizard69

Maybe but if you consider the current that goes the other way wasted energy then such welding must be inefficient compared to say a wire welding process. You would have to figure that hundreds of amps (maybe thousands) are being dumped into that large chainlink.

But when you consider that the metal is actually being melted to be fused at the molecular level leaving no dissimilar heat effected zone no external filler metal can come close to the quality or speed of the process being used
Oct 18, 2018, 04:11 PM
suther51

Perhaps the "wasted" current is actually heating up the entire link so that the weld so not cooled to fast, like a built in post heat?
Eric
Oct 22, 2018, 09:08 PM
Jon

These keep getting better.

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Jan 27, 2020, 01:56 PM
Jon

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Jan 27, 2020, 05:49 PM
jdurand

Not welded?
Jan 27, 2020, 08:15 PM
Frank S

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurand

Not welded?

If you will notice the previous links are welded this gif is just showing part of the chain building process