Safe To Join Chain?

[harpoon71]

Hi guys, me again.

I'm confused! An experienced sailor told me to buy a proper joining link and it was ok to join two 20 metre lengths of 8mm anchor chain I have. Then another experienced sailor told me not to! He said under no circumstances must I ever join chain!

I have a welder and can seal the link properly, but what is the overall opinion?

Many thanks in advance for replies.

[Charlie Jones]

I can tell you that Evan Starzinger joins chain - 2 circumnavs and Beth is well respected writer on cruising, so they must know SOMETHING.

My big problem is that I use G4 chain and all the joining links are lesser strength.

[Lighthouse]

@harpoon71

Using a commercially available "chain joiner" is OK (I say OK because I personally think that this could be a possible weak link), but welding a link, as you suggest, would burn off the galvanising and cause rapid decay in that area.

IMHO.

[MMNETSEA]

Hi,

If you check this LINK go to page 1395 and you will find this advice :-



You can weld in a link - provided that you use the Identical Steel Alloy in the welding rod as the chain contains. Remember to paint the weld with a zinc rich paint and check it frequently,

alternatively have the welded chain hot galvanized dipped.

P.S. Another alternative is to use a Chain Shackle pictured here from McMaster, it will probably NOT go through your windlass gypsy, but it could be lifted off the gypsy with a chain hook when the connecting shackle arrives at the gypsy. These shackles are designed to connect the chain to the anchor, therefore OK for connecting chain together.

[harpoon71]

Thanks for that advice guys.

I'm glad you all leaned towards "It's ok if done properly!" because I'm skint and I already have 2 lengths of 20 metre chain, one of those bash-it-with-a-hammer chain joiners, a welder and some decent zinc primer.

So I'll weld the link for extra security, then cover with the primer.

And ..... yes for sure I'll keep a good eye on it, in fact everytime I bring up the chain!

Thanks again.

[MMNETSEA]

Before you weld up one of " those bash-it-with-a-hammer chain joiners" please confirm that it is not one of these - see

If it is one of these - they not for lifting - they are probably drop forged. If it is welded it could become very brittle and would therefore require the temper to be drawn - if not it could break at the wrong moment.

If it is one of those links in the picture - it would be better to cut and use one of the existing chain links to join the chain,then weld it closed.

[Auzzee]

Hi there, I have used the 'bash-it-with-a-hammer' joiner with great success. I still have the 8mm short link chain I used on my 36'er in 1987. That boat swung on the pick for four year in an area with 7 metre tides. The joiner link showed no more wear than other links on the chain. However, the quality of galvanising is not as good as that used on good chain. and yearly inspection and a touch-up with cold gal and a brush is advised. The spikes/rivets which are hammered flat have never become loose.

Welding should not be necessary.

Cheers

David

[KG4JXT]

I too, have used bash-with-hammer joiners with good success. A couple of years ago, I was in a 50 kt blow and my ABI stainless bridle plate (said to be usable as a chain hook and in use as such) at the end of a 30 foot length of 1-inch 3-strand nylon snubber, bent open and let the chain go (what a bang that made!), but the joiner links in the chain were not affected at all. I guess it all depends on where you want to put the "weak" link - there is always one somewhere . . .

[Charlie Jones]

Originally Posted by KG4JXT

I too, have used bash-with-hammer joiners with good success.

Now if I could just find one of those to match my G4 chain. Seems a bit silly to me to join G4 with a G3 chain joiner, and no one seems to make one rated as G4.

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Charlie,

Have a look at these connectors - they Meet ASTM A-952-96 standards for Grade 100 chain fittings. # Forged Alloy Steel - Quenched and Tempered. # Fatigue rated.

They are rated stronger than G4.

Click on CROSBY

[Charlie Jones]

Originally Posted by MMNETSEA

Hi Charlie,

Have a look at these connectors - they Meet ASTM A-952-96 standards for Grade 100 chain fittings. # Forged Alloy Steel - Quenched and Tempered. # Fatigue rated.

They are rated stronger than G4.

Click on CROSBY

Thanks- Perhaps I should be more specific We sail a Meridian 25 and use 1/4 G4 chain. I can find G4 connectors in larger sizes, but not in 1/4. The connector they show has a working load of 1325 pounds. The G4 chain I'm using has a SWL of 2600- about double the SWL of the connectors I find in 1/4. And therein lies the problem. Although they do state that "Ultimate load is 4 times SWL" so it would most likely be fine.

[George]

FYI, seems I saw a G6 1/4 link, part no.: 1014397 on page A336.