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I like making stuff. I'd like to shape a bike chain into the shape of a route, specifically from Brecon to Pisa.
My plan is to use the actual chain that was on his bike and then permanently shape it into a trace of the route he took. But how to do it so that it won't lose its shape?
Oh, I can't weld but I have a mate who can.
Squash each link tight with a vice or punch.
Whatever you do, thoroughly degrease it first.
Welding 100 links is going to be a pain. Soldering sounds better, the chain will still need to be thoroughly clean. I assume you've going to fix to a backboard? If so you could use hot melt glue or superglue and accelerant spray.
Please post a picture when it's done, sounds like a great idea.
Left field idea - get someone to cnc router the backplane to the profile you want to hold the shape whilst you solder or glue it.
Murray, you are an inspiration.
If I got hold of a map, glued it (PVA?) to 13mm MDF I could then use a palm router to cut out the route. Drop the chain in, flood with resin.
Thoughts? It's for a birthday present.
FWIW I'd like this to be a surprise and hopefully will have a willing accomplice.
Sounds like a great idea. I have a whole bucket of chains just waiting for me to do something creative like this.
If I got hold of a map, glued it
This might be more difficult than you imagine - maps tend to wrinkle badly when glued.
maps tend to wrinkle badly when glued
Wet the map first, fix it to the board and it will dry flat. You may want to try a small piece of map first to check the ink doesn’t run/paper disintegrates
The bigger issue will be with the scale. Fitting the bike chain to he route might be surprisingly difficult.
Hairpin? Not of the links say no.
Yes you can weld chains to make art. Yes it is a pain in the arse and better done with little blobs of clear epoxy holding the links together if you are going to lie it flat anyway.
Clean and degrease the chain REALLY well as welding through smoking oil is not fun. Also. some motorbike chains are even worse as they have rubber washers between the links.
Ask me how I know...
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This little lizard was easier. It is a coupole of spot welds and both the body and the tail are left articulated.
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This does sound amazing. It'd be nice to see the finished article (after the recipient has seen so as not to spoil the surprise?)
Do not weld through oil, carb cleaners, brake cleaners, generic degreasers etc. You can do yourself instant and permanent lung damage by vaporising that stuff.
I like the wire idea if you want it on a backboard. A few hundred 1 or 2mm holes and some garden wire. Much better than welding for your purposes.
What type of chain is it? If it has any kind of plating it could be difficult and hazardous to weld.
I'd go with solder I think, unless you get it really clean and it isn't plated in any way the welds will look pretty rubbish, but it should be easier to get a nice result with solder.
howabout making it go rusty and stiff, then you can shape it how you want.
Turn it over, heat it up with a gas torch and flow a brazing rod along it?
Then clean it up if you wish