How to Shorten a Rope Chain at Home
Do you have a rope chain that is too long, and you don’t know how to shorten it? Don’t worry, and we will show you how to do it at home. Shortening a rope chain at home is easy and can be done with just a few simple tools. All you need is a pair of scissors and a small amount of patience!
Chains can be a great accessory to any outfit, but sometimes they can be too long. If you’re looking for an easy way to shorten a rope chain at home, look no further! This blog post will show you how to shorten a rope chain at home using the chain cutter tool and how to polish the chain afterward. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a shortened rope chain in no time!
Step by Step Guide: How to Shorten a Rope Chain at Home
Step 1:
The first step would be to find yourself a heat source that could get the metal hot enough to melt. A candle lighter can get your chain hot enough but will take too long for this process. I used my stove burner on high since it was hot enough and easy access through a window.
Step 2:
Once you have your heat source, put the chain in a vise. This will keep it from moving around and getting tangled up.
Step 3:
Once you have the chain in the vise, use pliers to hold onto one end of the chain. Make sure not to touch any part of your body that has pigmentation (freckles, moles, etc.) to the chain if it is hot enough to burn your skin.
Step 4:
Drape the other side over the heated stove burner once you have a grip on one end of the chain with the pliers. Hold there for about 30 seconds or until you see all of the links start to deform and look like they are melting.
Step 5:
Once you have waited the time needed to melt the chain, remove it from the stove burner and quickly drop it into some ice water. This will cool down your chain very quickly so that it doesn’t deform any more than it already has. The link ends should be rounded out with no sharp edges left.
Step 6:
Once the chain is cool and deformed, remove it from whatever it is wrapped around (in my case a vise) and lay it out on your work surface. Smooth out the deformed link ends with your fingers, and use pliers to straighten any of the links that might be sticking out too far. Make sure to also smooth out any rough or sharp edges on the links before beginning to shorten the chain further.
Step 7:
Once you have prepped your shortened chain, get a c-clamp and place it about an inch away from where you want the new link of chain to be. Make sure that there is enough room next to the clamp to connect another link on the other side.
Step 8:
Once you have everything lined up and ready to go, use a hammer to tap the end link into the c-clamp hole. You will be able to see it work its way into that new slot. Continue this step until you are satisfied with your shortened length of chain.
Step 9:
Once you have your desired length of chain, remove it from the c-clamp using pliers to grip the link under the clamp. Again, make sure that you are holding onto both ends, so there isn’t any way for it to fall out of your hands and get tangled up with itself.
Step 10:
Once you have your shortened chain, attach it back together using the same method to connect the links initially. Next, slide the open link over both pieces of the chain and then loop it around itself. Once you have your desired number of links attached, connect the two ends using another link made for that purpose.
Some Helpful Tips and Suggestions
Here we have given some tips on how to shorten a rope chain at home.
1. It is a good idea to practice on a small piece of rope long before you try your project on the actual chain. This way, you can get used to working with the tools and learn what works for you.
2. Make sure that the entire length of your new, shortened piece of rope is burned evenly so that there are no jagged ends.
3. The tools most commonly used to shorten a rope chain are scissors, a lighter, and nippers.
4. When working with the lighter to burn the rope, make sure you hold it far away from you so that you do not get burned. Also, make sure that you hold the lighter in one continuous motion over the entire piece of rope when you are burning the rope.
5. The nippers are small tools that can be used to cut and burn the rope. Because they offer two functions in one tool, they are my preferred method for shortening a rope chain.
6. You should always cut the chain with a nipper by pulling each end of the chain apart. This way, you will get a perfectly straight cut and not lose any length in your shortened piece of rope.
3 Easy Methods to Cut Chains
Method 1: Cutting Chain With Bolt Cutters
Different types of Chains require different cutting methods. Therefore, the first step is determining what type of chain you are trying to cut. The easiest way to do this is by looking at the link style (snap or open) and determining if it is a non-load bearing or load-bearing chain (a load-bearing chain is used to hold heavy equipment and has heavy links).
This method works best with high carbon steel chains. Place the bolt cutters on the edge of a link in the chain where it will give you purchase for cutting. Squeeze the handles together until the link shears or pops open. Make sure to wear heavy gloves and suitable eye protection.
This method is most effective for smaller chains with a thickness of up to 5/16” (8mm) and smaller, such as those used on bicycles or lockers. You’ll need something more powerful for larger chains like those that hold vending machines, such as an angle grinder or a gas-powered cutoff saw.
Method 2: Using a Saw to Cut Chain
A hacksaw or metal cutting blade will cut through chains very quickly. It’s also the cheapest option because you can use an old, dull saw that has been discarded by your local hardware store. Place one edge of the chain in the groove closest to the tooth side of the saw. Apply gentle pressure and work down one link at a time.
Use a metal file to smooth out any rough edges. This method is not recommended for hardened steel (high carbon) chains because it will take too much time and require too much effort due to the increased hardness of these grades.
Method 3: Cutting Chains With Grinders or Cut off Tools
Grinders are good for quick, efficient cutting through various materials. However, cut a few inches past the point where you want the final length to stop since hot metal particles may eject from the grinder and cause damage or injury on their way out.
You can also use an angle grinder with a masonry cutting blade or an abrasive cutoff wheel to quickly remove chain links. Make several passes with the grinder to ensure that you have cut through.
A cutoff tool attached to a rotary tool works similarly, except that it’s powered by electricity instead of muscle power; however, this method is only recommended for people who are experienced with using tools like these on metal objects.
Conclusion
When it comes to shortening a rope chain, there are several methods you can use cutting and melting. In general, cutting is the preferred method, as it’s cleaner and leaves less of a mess. However, if you don’t have any clippers or scissors on hand, melting is an option that will still get the job done.
Just be sure to consider the type of metal your chain is made from before you start heating things, as different metals require different temperatures to melt properly. So now that you know how to shorten a rope chain at home whether by cutting or melting, go ahead and give one of these methods a try! If you get stuck anywhere or have any questions, then feel free to comment below!
You Can Check It Out to : Splice Wire Rope
Jane Hubbard
Jane has always been passionate about hair and beauty. After many years of working as a hairdresser specialist, she decided to start her own consultancy business. She is an experienced haircare and beauty consultant, and she loves helping others find the perfect look for them. She has been writing articles for DIY quickly for over 3 years. In her free time she enjoys keeping up with the latest news in the industry, practicing yoga, and spending time with her friends and family.
