Tacey Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I have 2 sets of 4-link tire chains. Can the cross chains be incorporated into one set to make a 2-link set? Anybody ever done it? Thanks. Tacey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehertzfeld Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I did that a few times. I had a set of four link chains that fit 12 inch tires. I stole the cross sections out of set for 8 inch tires. Mine ended up being 3 link, as I ran out of cross links. It will work. Just takes some time to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubbardRA Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I made my first set of tire chains from some old car chains. You definitely can combine two sets to double the amount of links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshuaareed Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Yup I did it this weekend. I used two sets that my neighbor gave me for free. It took a while to do, but with my torch in hand I heated each attaching link up, and w/ a pair of pliers I bent them so that they would come apart, and then I reattached them the same way. Yes I used a simple MAP gas torch as I don't have real torches and I also taught my 6 year old son how to bend steel at the same time. I am sure there is a more simple way, but that is what I had to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacey Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 I don't have a torch of any kind. I'll try ti the old-fashioned way, brute force...lol Maybe I'll spring for a propane torch. That might help. Thanks for the responses, guys. Tacey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehertzfeld Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Tacey I don't have a torch of any kind. I'll try ti the old-fashioned way, brute force...lol Tacey That's the way I did it. Use a vice and vice grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCD Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 It is an easy job with a pair of tire chain pliers. They are used to spread the cross chain hooks [img]http://www.tirechain.com/images/crosschainhook2.jpg[/img] to take them apart and then to crimp them to the side chains. I have an antique pair that my Grandfather carried in his truck they are made of flat stock and look something like a large set of side cutters. http://www.tirechain.com/tirechain-pliars.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubbardRA Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I use bolt cutters to start the spreading where the two pieces of metal touch. Once I get a gap started, then I just drive a screwdriver in the gap to spread the metal apart. After installing the link in the right place, either squeeze in a vice or smack with a hammer to close the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I just crank them down in the vice and slip a chisel in the slit and smack it with a hammer,then to install them I use the vice to crimp them. Sure is a lot better ride with the extra links. A friend of mine had a bag of new links he gave me it's allot easer then taking old chain apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketchamized Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I use a dremel with a cutting head to separate the chain and use visegrips to separate them further. Vise grips to reattach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I have made a few sets. It got easier after I got a pair of "chain Pliers" like Maynard refered to above. Works pretty good. GregB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacey Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share Posted October 24, 2007 I got 'em done in about two hours. To remove the clip, I used a stout set of needle-nosed pliers, Chan-nel Locks, and a bench vise. I then crimped the clip on with the Chan-nel Locks. The best part is that I used what I had on hand. I still have to buy a couple cross-chains, but that's better than buying a new set of 2-link. Tacey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshuaareed Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Nice Job Randy. Doesn't it make you feel good when you make something work out of what you have on hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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