Welding Chain Links Together

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I have a person who wants me to make some custom chairs for there nightclub out of bare chain for them, Ive never really messed around with welding chain together. I was just wondering what people do when welding links together for whatever reason. Doesnt seem like you have enough surface area were the two links contact each other to get a good weld.
Reply:if it's big enough chain im sure you could tig weld it
Reply:Originally Posted by quasiif it's big enough chain im sure you could tig weld it
Reply:Hell, I don't even think about it; I just weld it...
Reply:Once you figure out a design you might want to fix a simple tension jig to hold the straight sections straight and aligned while you weld the links(maybe bungie cords hooked at each end)....they squirm around while you are going from link to link otherwise and you feel like you need 3 more hands to keep aligning them.You might have to make simple jigs for any curved pieces. I helped someone make some welded chain for a mailbox post and a buddy with a sissy bar and as stated above it's pretty simple to stick them together whatever method you use. Considering the intended purpose as bar stools(commercial or home use?) you might want to weld them pretty well so they don't come apart(both sides of the links). I've seen some welded link projects that were spot welded together and held,but then a 300# drunk wasn't squirming around on it either.It's gona take a lot of chain to make a solid bar stool... Legs (4? maybe 3).. Seat base circle...Back rest..Personally I'd set a chain ring at the feet as a base as well as a ring in the center for a foot rest... All those parts welded together should make them sturdy and pretty heavy...LOLYou need to take some pics of the finished stools...sounds interesting,Good Luck!
Reply:It's not hard to weld it, just a bit tedious.
Reply:For straight pieces, lay the chain inside a piece of angle, with tension.
Reply:I've been thinking about the best method to tension a chain and still be able to weld it so the links are positioned evenly.....How about hooking it at the bottom to something that won't move and then attach a bunge cord to the top(so it doesn't get burned) to keep it tight...that way you have total access all around the chain so it can be welded at any point. This might also make it easier to adjust the links at 90* of each other or you could twist the chain(like a rubber band) so they would lay flatter depending on the effect you want. It would be a real pain to set the links evenly otherwiseIf you were only doing one..why bother,but if you are building a bunch you might want to find a way to do it easier.
Reply:If you lay in it in a piece of angle (positioned as a trough), the corner and sides automatically straighten all the links for you.  You have plenty of access to weld it so it doesn't warp and you can always give it another big tack on the backside when you're done.  I tension it with a piece of cable (or the chain itself) that then drops over the side of the table with a weight hung on it.
Reply:Sounds reasonable--- I was just thinking about total access from all angles and being able to twist the chain links if needed to make it look different. Makes me want to go to the shop and make something out of those pieces of huge logging chain laying in the corner that I keep tripping over .... didn't want to toss them,but never thought of a use for them either--LOL---
Reply:Anybody seen the shows on Discovery channel, motorcycle mania buildoff "Indian Larry" build an oldschool bike frame out of chain links, so if he could do it for structural parts of a bike it can be done..I think he tig welded the peices, and yes they were under tension.
Reply:my old next door neigbour made his letter box tripod stand out of chain, what a failure, i came home so many days to see this thing fallen over after numerous repairs.hey i'm currently looking for some ideas to make some awsome looking barstolls, did the chain design work out ok? any photo's?
Reply:You have to watch as the chain gets larger, it can no longer support much more then its own weight. I welded a very large link chain together. The links were about four inches long. And made of 3/4 inch material. It was for the owner of a scrap yard near me. He had the chain and wanted an archway. It was going to be an entrance arch. About eight feet high and about four feet wide. We had to be very careful with it once I was finished welding. Or it would have bent by its own weight if not supported. You had to lift it by the arch, and let the rest hang to move it. Or a couple guys had to lift it laying flat.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:I reckon you would even be able to put sufficent weld on the smaller stuff What sort of coating is the final product going to have
Reply:Originally Posted by William McCormick JrYou have to watch as the chain gets larger, it can no longer support much more then its own weight. I welded a very large link chain together. The links were about four inches long. And made of 3/4 inch material. It was for the owner of a scrap yard near me. He had the chain and wanted an archway. It was going to be an entrance arch. About eight feet high and about four feet wide. We had to be very careful with it once I was finished welding. Or it would have bent by its own weight if not supported. You had to lift it by the arch, and let the rest hang to move it. Or a couple guys had to lift it laying flat.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:Interesting post.If you're going with curved legs arch a piece of flat bar to the curve you want and like other had said put the chain in tension. I can see the main prob will be keeping the links aligned, even then I don't think it'll be too bad. make sure you post pics when you're done.....Mike
Reply:I tried welding a few tow chains together and they snapped. I suppose they were hardened and brittle after welding wasn't the word for it was like glass almost just crumbling...maybe some standard galv.chain would be better than a tow rated one ? i'm not knowing just putting it out theregood luckLincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:whatever size you go with, id try to get un-coated chain,  alot of chain has a gold or silver plating that you dont want to breath.
Reply:I was asked to weld some chain for use as "spreader bars" at a S&M club. (I get all kinds).I used uncoated, unoiled chain. I just layed the 3' pieces on the bench a clamped one end and tensioned the other. I tig'ed all on two sides of the link then turned over and welded the other two.One would support a 200lb man (me) with the ends supported on blocks. I was surprised how rigid it turned out.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Use low grade chain like proof coil chain from the hardware store. By staying away frow high test chain or grade 70 transport chain or higher it shouldn't get brittle on you. You could normalize the weld joints by heating them up with a torch and letting cool slowly. If the late Indian Larry could make a motorcycle frame out of chain a bar stool or chair shouldn't be a problem.  Now if someone gets wound to tight and starts swinging chain bar chairs he's probably more than you want to handle and it's time to leave the bar.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:Take a 3/4"metal rod, about eight feet long, put some weights on the end, a little more then the bar itself, and that about simulates the large chain being welded together. Then imagine an arch and another similar piece of chain, and you can get an idea of what I am saying. This could definitely get a new guy in trouble. Because you just do not think about the actual structure. Or just the weight of the chain, itself in that short distance. The thing was very heavy. It took two iron workers to lift it.Ten links no problem. Twenty links and when you go to lift it by one end you realize what you have created. A very long very heavy three quarter inch structure.  That bend like a 3/4" bar will bend. And that is pretty easy from what I found by actual experience. Ha-ha.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:Well here's one done by one of my boys way back when he was in ag class in school about '84 to '85-ish. Stick welds and pretty ruff but they have held up a long time over several short moves around the place. Attached Images
Reply:I bet that flexes a bit? If you put your weight on it.I started out on mine, and it seemed rugged. Until it hit about six feet, that is when I noticed that the metal itself was bending. Each link was just allowing a fraction of a degree of bend. It was not that amazing first two foot section that you cold probably drive a car over anymore. Mine was a rather soft uncoated chain, great for welding. It did not have the center piece like yours. But there is a magic length that you instantly know something is not right. You cannot feel it until you get to that length. And then the length you are welding suddenly has spring to it. When you go to use it like a lever, over the edge of the bench to move it align it, you can actually see it bend or flex. Then it gets worse and worse from every link you add. I almost thought we could not transport it safely with two guys.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:Originally Posted by TerrIt's not hard to weld it, just a bit tedious.
Reply:I know this is kind of an old post, but since it's what I do, I figured I'd chime in. I LOVE chain, and yes, it can be formed and welded into almost any configuration. I make shift linkages for Harleys, i.e.And sissy bars... (Sorry for the crappy pic)And properly welded, can be quite strong. Last edited by Chainz; 04-08-2010 at 08:40 PM.Chainz________O/AMiller 250XMiller SD 180Spoolmatic 30AThermal Dynamics Pak 50and a bunch of other crap......I know this is kind of an old post, but since it's what I do, I figured I'd chime in. I LOVE chain, and yes, it can be formed and welded into almost any configuration. I make shift linkages for Harleys, i.e.And sissy bars. (Sorry for the crappy pic. )And if properly welded, can be quite strong. Chainz________O/AMiller 250XMiller SD 180Spoolmatic 30AThermal Dynamics Pak 50and a bunch of other crap......
Reply:Like the tension jig idea.......think i might try rachet straps instead off bungy cords...either way great idea.
Reply:Hey Chainz,Now, this is *really* getting old, but have to tell you that chain is cool!Mind telling a newbie how you did it and what it is?Thanks, RI've got all the stuff….learning, now, how to use it