Chain tool

[Nicky86]

Looking to invest in a good quality chain riveting tool, but I'm a bit confused. Looking at the Whale tool says it is for hard rivets can the soft rivets be used with this tool? Can't find any information on this any experience will be great.

[trickywoo]

Just IMO but even the cheap tools are fine for seating the new link and flaring the rivet. Where you may struggle is breaking the chain with one but you can just grind it off.

Having said that a Whale chain tool is a fine choice.

[moanthebairns]

Need to do mines again, I used borrowed bolt cutters before. I don't have power for a grinder. Is there an easier way?

[curlie467]

Grab a battery grinder. They are actually very good.

[Biker's Nemesis]

[Private Pile]

MTB, let me know if you want to borrow a grinder

[moanthebairns]

Private Pile said:

MTB, let me know if you want to borrow a grinder

I've no power hook it up at the garage. That's why I used bolt cutters in past.

[EagleMoto4-2]

I have this riveting tool made by Gator. Same design as the DID riveter but half the price. Is very good quality though.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Chain-Breake...

[shielsy]

I have a eBay one which did the job

[Mr2Mike]

moanthebairns said:

I've no power hook it up at the garage. That's why I used bolt cutters in past.

Worst case you can use a sharp hand file to remove the end of the rivet, though it's a little awkward. The cheap tools work perfectly to rivet a new link, it doesn't require a lot of force. However they invariably break if you try to split a chain without grinding/filing off the rivet head first.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 27th July 11:05

[Nicky86]

Is the DID tool just for soft links? As I would like to have one tool to do both hard and soft. Is the Whale tool good for soft links? I can't see any reason why not.

[Mr2Mike]

Nicky86 said:

Is the DID tool just for soft links? As I would like to have one tool to do both hard and soft. Is the Whale tool good for soft links? I can't see any reason why not.

The DID tool is only for riveting links that have hollow ends to the pins. A skilfully applied ball peen hammer (with another hammer held behind the link) can make a decent job of the solid links, but aside from that the expensive Whale tool is the only one I know of that can stake hard links.

[EagleMoto4-2]

Mr2Mike said:

moanthebairns said:

I've no power hook it up at the garage. That's why I used bolt cutters in past.

Worst case you can use a sharp hand file to remove the end of the rivet, though it's a little awkward. The cheap tools work perfectly to rivet a new link, it doesn't require a lot of force. However they invariably break if you try to split a chain without grinding/filing off the rivet head first.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 27th July 11:05

What you could do is use a cordless drill with one of those pink metal grinding attachments, like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/CNBTR-Cylindrical-Grindin...
I used a Dremel with one of these when it came to breaking my chain.

[Prof Prolapse]

Cordless angle grinder.

As someone from Falkirk presumably you know a motorcycle thief who can lend you one?

[moanthebairns]

EagleMoto4-2 said:

Mr2Mike said:

moanthebairns said:

I've no power hook it up at the garage. That's why I used bolt cutters in past.

Worst case you can use a sharp hand file to remove the end of the rivet, though it's a little awkward. The cheap tools work perfectly to rivet a new link, it doesn't require a lot of force. However they invariably break if you try to split a chain without grinding/filing off the rivet head first.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 27th July 11:05

What you could do is use a cordless drill with one of those pink metal grinding attachments, like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/CNBTR-Cylindrical-Grindin...
I used a Dremel with one of these when it came to breaking my chain.

how long did that take, I did just use the bolt cutters as best as I could and a junior hacksaw that as my dad commented "had teeth like a junkies mouth".

[toxgobbler]

Prof Prolapse said:

Cordless angle grinder.

As someone from Falkirk presumably you know a motorcycle thief who can lend you one?

Harsh

[Mr2Mike]

toxgobbler said:

Harsh

But fair

[Nicky86]

Whale tool it is then. I suppose it doesn't matter if it's a hard or soft if it's peened over it will be fine.

[EagleMoto4-2]

moanthebairns said:

EagleMoto4-2 said:

Mr2Mike said:

moanthebairns said:

I've no power hook it up at the garage. That's why I used bolt cutters in past.

Worst case you can use a sharp hand file to remove the end of the rivet, though it's a little awkward. The cheap tools work perfectly to rivet a new link, it doesn't require a lot of force. However they invariably break if you try to split a chain without grinding/filing off the rivet head first.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 27th July 11:05

What you could do is use a cordless drill with one of those pink metal grinding attachments, like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/CNBTR-Cylindrical-Grindin...
I used a Dremel with one of these when it came to breaking my chain.

how long did that take, I did just use the bolt cutters as best as I could and a junior hacksaw that as my dad commented "had teeth like a junkies mouth".

Not long, those grinders get through the metal of the rounded over pin quite quickly. I would say it took about 5 minutes per pin to grind it off flat with the side plate.

[moanthebairns]

EagleMoto4-2 said:

moanthebairns said:

EagleMoto4-2 said:

Mr2Mike said:

moanthebairns said:

I've no power hook it up at the garage. That's why I used bolt cutters in past.

Worst case you can use a sharp hand file to remove the end of the rivet, though it's a little awkward. The cheap tools work perfectly to rivet a new link, it doesn't require a lot of force. However they invariably break if you try to split a chain without grinding/filing off the rivet head first.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 27th July 11:05

What you could do is use a cordless drill with one of those pink metal grinding attachments, like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/CNBTR-Cylindrical-Grindin...
I used a Dremel with one of these when it came to breaking my chain.

how long did that take, I did just use the bolt cutters as best as I could and a junior hacksaw that as my dad commented "had teeth like a junkies mouth".

Not long, those grinders get through the metal of the rounded over pin quite quickly. I would say it took about 5 minutes per pin to grind it off flat with the side plate.

bd. I don't have a split link pin on the oem chain. It's one put on in the factory. Junior hack saw it is.