Chain breaking and riveting advice?

[s_devo]

Has anyone used any of the chain breaking and riveting tools to replace their chain?

I'm looking at getting one of the DID chain breakers from the US for USD$140 (oddly it seemed to be about $130 cheaper than buying it locally - not sure why?) and I've also seen some other kits for around $80.

I'm keen to see if there are good ones around that are a better investment than others.

Alternatively are there other tools that do the job of riveting the chain effectively. I see some just use a dolly and hammer. With the speeds I do I wouldn't want to do a half arsed job and find the chain wrapped around my axle!!!:crazy:

[oneofsix]

I've used a grinder as the breaker and the hammer and dolly method once before and the revetting outlasted the live of the chain. I don't do warp speeds however the force on the revet is across the revet (along the chain) not along the revet so force on the bur/fold-over shouldn't be too great.
Personal preference would be for the proper breaker and revetting system but at $140 US seems a bit expensive for hte amount of use it would get and what it does.

[Fast Eddie]

I bought a chain breaker kit to do my own chains off trademe, it was 80 NZ dollars and I bought it with a set of sprockets and chain off a fella on trademe. So they are out there, I can't remember his username or details.

Anyway, very easy to use if you do it properly, I bent on of the pin things used to break the chain/push link out but bent it back straight and it still works fine. you gotta know how to use the tool properly haha but a couple of goes and your away.

I've used mine prob about 3/4 times, about once a year I guess. Its handy I like having it. 140US isnt bad for a brand like DID I guess and with the exchange rate prob only be 150NZ plus shipping. still, mine was 80 incl shipping so there will be cheaper options local in nz

[Sable]

Chains with master links save so much hassle.

[tigertim20]

I discussed this with a friend who owns a bike shop a while ago. he recommended against trying to do the hammer method for a couple of reasons.
for one, you might not burr the ends over properly, and the link could pop off in time, or be on crooked. more importantly though, you have very little control over the pressure you apply when you burr the ends over to secure the link - this can result in a siezed link, which can and will wear out sprockets out faster.

the proper tool gives you better control over doing the job properly.

[xxcbr69xx]

Check out the DRC Pro Chain Tool kit, I think mine was about $75 when I bought it a couple of years ago. Should be available at any decent bike shop. The kit comes with breaker and rivet bits, does 420, 428, 520 & 530


http://www.drcproducts.com/tool/d59-16-110/index.html

[spanner spinner]

Buy the DID it is a trade quality tool and you can pass it on to your kids for there bikes when your in the waiting for god home they are that good. The one in my tool kit at work is getting on for 10 years old and still fine, and would hate to think how may chains it has cut and riveted must be in the thousands. The pins do break after a few years of use (or when you lend them to the junior it seems) but spare pins are available.

[Pussy]

I bought a genuine DID chain tool... and I reckon you should. VERY good tool.

[Flip]

I bought a genuine DID chain tool... and I reckon you should. VERY good tool.

Chains, they just seem so steam punk these days.

[gammaguy]

i bought a DID tool some years ago when I was still running my own workshop full time.

Now I am semi retired from the spanners I still use that tool on my own bikes and ones I like working on(2 Strokes or mates bikes)


So far it has probably removed and installed over a thousand chains and it is still going strong.

The pin is number three,the first one wore out and the second one was broken when a new guy in the workshop who thought he was good found out he wasnt.

A recommended and essential tool.

[The Pastor]

prob a good idea to get spare pins when you buy it, if you do it wrong, you can break the pins easy as.

[Flip]

I have had a "motion pro"????? tool for ages 20 years and have never had a problem with it.

I have hand rivited a few farkin big industurial mining chains and have never had a problem. The rivet bike chain links I have seen are are counter drilled for machine tool riveting, I don't think these should be hand piened.