Wire bender for making small chain links for model traction engine steering chains

Hi All
After seeing this thread by kess (supporting member) https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/wire-bender-76803 I had a :idea: moment and thought about adapting this style of bender to make chain links for my 1" scale traction engine.

I decided to use a M8 (5/16") nut and bolt to make the bender as the links are only 6mm x 4mm (1/4" x 5/32") made from 1mm (0.040") copper wire. The following photos show the first few test links and the method used to form links.

Attachment 33327
Bender made from M8 nut and bolt

Attachment 33328
Copper cut to length ready for forming

Attachment 33329 First Bend Attachment 33330 Second bend

Attachment 33331 Closing link with a piece of aluminium

Attachment 33332 Link removed from bender

Attachment 33333 Attachment 33334 Attachment 33335 First few test links

The links will be silver soldered at each joint. As there are quite a few links needed I am in the process of designing and making a guillotine to cut the wire to a constant length.

I hope this thread will be helpful to anyone considering making chain for their model.

Thank you for taking the time to view
The Home Engineer

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Neat! :thumbsup:

Very nice build.
Well done.

Please find link to updated post on bending chain links below:
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...in-links-77714
Many thanks
The Home Engineer

That works really well. With your guillotine, if you make the blade shear instead of cut you will get nice square ends on the links.