[TheForge] Re: Chain fall chain

[Mike Spencer]

> The chain you tried is probably proof coil. It is the lowest
> strength and generally the cheapest chain available. The link length
> is also longer.  I think most chain fall equipment uses "BBB"
> chain. It is higher strength and the link length is shorter than proof
> coil links.

Ah-ha!  That, thank you, is just what I needed: some bits of chain
terminology.  Now I can ask first off if they have BBB chain.  If they
don't know what I'm talking about, I don't have to waste time with
them and can go on to the next place.

With those key words, I found just what you say on the net:

   Proof coil is made of low carbon steel for ordinary
   applications. Because of its long links, it's not recommended for
   windlasses. BBB chain is the same low carbon steel but has shorter
   links for use with windlasses. High test is a higher-carbon steel,
   and is for windlasses that specify its use.

> I hate to say it but it may be cheaper to buy a imported hoist.  I
> bought a 1 ton hoist for about $60 Cdn.  on sale at Princess auto.

Yeah, yeah, I know.  But that's not *fun*.  Getting this old thing
working *is* fun.  Driving in to Dartmouth and boggling around the
Burnside Industrial Park to Princess Auto is not fun.  Driving over to
Lunenburg and asking around the the waterfront for some BBB chain will
be fun.  Not to mention which, I get totally pissed off when
confronted with buying crappy new stuff as the preferred way to
maintain really great, repairable old stuff.  Don't get me started.  I
haven't had a good rant for awhile and if it wasn't bedtime.... :-)

And there's this: Somewhere around here I have a great huge chainfall
also missing chain.  If I solve this problem for the little dinky one,
maybe I'll solve it for the great huge one, too.

Illegitimi non carborundum,
- Mike

---
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada 
                                 
mspencer@tallships.ca            
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/