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

**thehomeengineer** · Jan 31, 2020, 03:06 PM

Hi All
After seeing this thread by kess (supporting member) Wire Bender I had a

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.

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Bender made from M8 nut and bolt

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Copper cut to length ready for forming

First Bend

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Second bend

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Closing link with a piece of aluminium

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Link removed from bender

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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