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Hi All
After posting the wire bender to make the chain links using a M8 nut and bolt, Wire bender for making small chain links for model traction engine steering chains I wasn't totally happy with the shape of the links and how fiddley they were to produce. So this was playing on my mind, I had to think of a better way to form the links, and I couldn't find anything on the net on how to form small chain links
. So after a few days contemplating the best way forward I put pen to paper (yes a PEN with real ink) and started to play around with some ideas on how to improve the shape and production of these tiny links.
As I need to make approximately 120 links for the steering chains on my 1" scale traction engine I also wanted to be able to cut the wire to a constant length so also designed and built a wire cutting guillotine (I will post on HMT in another post)
Below are the photos and results of the new wire bender:
Photo of the completed tool and the first few links bent on it.
The bender forms the wire link in two stages around the pin located on the centre line of shaft. The length of wire was calculated to be 13.8mm and a datum mark was set on the shaft with a small chisel mark at approximately 7mm from the centre of fully formed link so the joint would be in the middle of link. (mark highlighted on photo).
First links fitted to each other
new link shape is a lot more pleasing on the eye (in my opinion)
Old former also didn't close the link fully.
Old link shape using nut and bolt wire bender has square ends due to the way the former was made.
As the wire is only 1mm 0.040" diameter and copper it is easy to bend.To aid the movement I didn't feel it was necessary for a handle so I simply knurled the out diameter to give grip when rotating. The Bender guide also acts as location and stops the outer from sliding all the way down the central shaft.
I am very happy with the shape and have gone into full production
thank you for viewing
The Home Engineer
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