Tire Chains

admin

I have some old tire chains for my snow blower that are getting thin on one side.I decided to add some metal to the thin side by running a short bead on each link.So far I have just tried 7014 1/16"  I don't have a chain size measurement other than to say they are small and for snow blower tires.At first I had the amps to high at @ 65 dcen,  then I turned it down to @35 an it worked OK.Still makes the link glow in just a couple of seconds.  It doesn't seem to add much metal either.  I stopped at that point and decided to ask rather than experiment.What size and type of rod would be good for this project?YouTube trained welder
Reply:I would buy a new set of chains or buy similar chain and use makeup links.  Preferably the former."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:Originally Posted by SchneiderI have some old tire chains for my snow blower that are getting thin on one side.I decided to add some metal to the thin side by running a short bead on each link.So far I have just tried 7014 1/16"  I don't have a chain size measurement other than to say they are small and for snow blower tires.At first I had the amps to high at @ 65 dcen,  then I turned it down to @35 an it worked OK.Still makes the link glow in just a couple of seconds.  It doesn't seem to add much metal either.  I stopped at that point and decided to ask rather than experiment.What size and type of rod would be good for this project?
Reply:Why not weld hardened chains?  They are just tire chains for a snowblower. Not used for lifting, pulling or high speed.I am doing this for a fun project.  Practice welding.YouTube trained welder
Reply:Turn 'em over or buy new. When I lived in snow country I screwed 3/8" long hex head sheet metal screws in all the lugs. They weren't long enough to get in the cord. They worked great and no more bouncing up and down. When they got worn down so far I'd take 'em out and replace w/ new ones.                                        Mike  Edit: I just saw your last post. They should give you lots of practice w/ the 1/16" rod. LOL.Ol' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:then practice away  nod n burnidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:move to FL. never need them again
Reply:Back in my 4x4 days I use build, modify, and repair truck tire chains all the time. I used 3/32 inch 309 Stainless.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:What are snow chains and why would you want them?
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPBack in my 4x4 days I use build, modify, and repair truck tire chains all the time. I used 3/32 inch 309 Stainless.
Reply:Originally Posted by SchneiderYou had stainless snow chains?  Or just used the 308 rod on standard chains?
Reply:Originally Posted by 805greggWhat are snow chains and why would you want them?
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomBuy some new chains. Be safe. You should not be welding hardened chains.
Reply:I have done it.  It takes time.   Try 7014 on DCEN  It may build up better.  I have done it.   Keep the heat low and the arc short.  Good job for a 110 volt mig.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Take them off the tires then do the build up. "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Yeah, safety first!!"The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:yep...unless you have an air feed hood....but for "safety" i think i might still deflate them.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Sounds like a great job for an OA welding tip.  I have grown to really love the light touch that OA gives for stuff like this - much easier to control material deposition on thin weldments.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:dude to weld the chains you must be really bored. My blower doesn't have chains and don't need them. I don't have hills so mine just goes. good luck and have fun.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileySounds like a great job for an OA welding tip.  I have grown to really love the light touch that OA gives for stuff like this - much easier to control material deposition on thin weldments.
Reply:Originally Posted by dumb as a stumpdude to weld the chains you must be really bored. My blower doesn't have chains and don't need them. I don't have hills so mine just goes. good luck and have fun.
Reply:from the chain point of view I would buy new, but if you are a beginner and want practice it is and excellent job as it will take some skill and make you apreciate dialing in the heat and moving along quickly. Might want to try to add some filler material, small bolt along side or a section of welding rod. Clamp the added metal with a vice grip and weld along the seam or edge, will absorb some of the heat and give you a larger build up. Might also want to smack the flux off a stick or two and try feeding extra filler into your arc puddle. Now that would really mean your bored but it's a good learning drill. I remember the first time a guy saw me feeding filler to and arc puddle and he said I never thought of that.   not for xray stuff but can be done fairly well.  Poor man's TIG LOL"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Why mess around with welding on the links. Do it up brown, get some rebar and cut it into pieces and weld that on across the tire like tank tracks. That puppy should really be able to dig in.One of my old neighbors had an ancient snowblower and somebody had put chains on it using the chains off a big rig, mod's to suit. Had those big V thingees in rows, looked like fangs. It would definitely go.Once in full tank mode, could play around mounting the main gun unit.  Things for idle minds. Neighbors might get a kick out it.
Reply:The point of the chain is to allow for proper flex in the tire while going over rocks, roots, curbs, etc. If you used straight rebar, like a tank tread. you could reduce the contact patch to as litle as 1 small point This reduces the grip and allows for slippage. I am back and forth from the mountains dozens of times during the winter. so I've seen pretty much every type of tire chain imaginable. Gotta admit my favorite by far are the diamond shape ones. They allow for traction in every direction as aposed to the ladder style ones that give you traction forward and reverse but are very limited laterally. However, this is a snowblower, and the chains are really only there for convenience. I'd take some old rod, cut it to about an inch in length. Bend the sections into right angles and weld 4 or five accross each rung of the ladder with the point of the V towards the tire. Extra traction, new wear surface, and when those wear out, you can just weld more in the other links, or even on the one's you've worn down. Still plenty of practice but you end up with better chains when compaired to the original with just more metal put on them.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Well Ok, now we are getting somewhere.Redesigning and improving. Do the bending before the final cut into small pieces.Originally Posted by CosmicRamblerWell Ok, now we are getting somewhere.Redesigning and improving. Do the bending before the final cut into small pieces.
Reply:i think tigging with silibronze would let you deposit some metal, no idea   how it would wear..
Reply:I used some 3/32 308 rod I had laying around and it worked well.  Didn't take too long either.YouTube trained welder
Reply:We need pictures  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RWe need pictures
Reply:Originally Posted by AquafireIn wintertime on many northern highways, they can be mandatory to either carry them in the vehicle or in some cases, to actually don them.  And around here the police do a lot of this enforcement to prevent the inevitable crashes from those that think the "all-season" tires are "good enough".