Cutting Chain links, which tool will be safest?

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Ok, I'm going to be cutting chain links in half and welding them to the frame rails of my trailer for wire guides/holders. I need to cut the links, and want to do so in the safest way possible, but still not take me 80 hrs to do it. Here are the tools I have available.Rage 3 Compound miter sawSawzall4.5" angle grinder w/ cut off wheelDie grinder W/ cutoff wheelThe miter saw scares me, as I wouldn't have a way to properly clamp down the links.The sawzall I think would take the longest and keeping it square would be difficult.The angle grinder would be quick, but I want my cuts to be square and I think only having 1/2 the link in the vice has the potential for projectiles once the peice comes off.and the die grinder has the same problems and potential as the angle grinder, but would take longer than the angle grinder.What are you thoughts?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:if you can get one a bolt cutter works good, depending on size of cutter and thickness of link.or, put them in a vice and use a portable band saw, or a torch.if the only tools you have available are what you have listed then the die grinder cutoff wheel looks the best though it is definitely not the best way to do it.
Reply:I second the bolt cutter idea. That is what is used where ever chain is sold, to cut it to lenght for the customer. You might also try going to where chain is sold and see if they will let you have the pieces leftover from cutting chain, they just throw them away anyway. Or ask them to cut off the links you want. If you buy the chain from them they may cut it up as much as you want. That may be the easiest and safest way to do it.
Reply:I second the bolt cutters...that's what I use on anything with a material diameter of <1/2".  Anything over that and I'll usually just clamp it into a sturdy vise and use a cut-off wheel on the angle grinder.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:tack to a piece of scrap and use the rage 3 if that will handle the hardness of the chain???-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:If you insist on using cut pieces of links from chain, then bolt cutters are pretty fast and often give a bit of a bevel on the cut ends as well.  But, that is dependent on the links fitting in the bolt cutter and said bolt cutter being able to cut said chain, as well as you being able to then weld up said chain afterwards (some chain is hardened/tempered and NOT just plain low carbon steel).Other possible ways to make wire guides for your trailer:- Use small short U-bolts of the desired size;- Cut rings of the desired width from a piece of pipe of the desired diameter;- get a metal bender and bend some solid round stock of the desired cross-sectional diameter into the desired arc radius;- use something like a one or two hole piping strap/support and attach as desired (weld, screw, rivet, etc);- duct tape and bailing wire, cause a wire coat hanger is just too much work   The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Grinder w/ zip wheelSemper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:the plan is to use what is handy.I might have some pipe or tubing laying around. I'll have to check to see if I have enough. And I'd definatley be ok with using the rage for that.No bolt cutters. so thats out.Thanks for the imput guys.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:Or just get some fence wire guides. More surface for welding .Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:Bolt cutters are the way to go (watch out for the suddenly-launched half link after the second cut, though).  But you can use an angle grinder; just hold the link you're cutting in the jaws of your vise.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I generally use a cut off wheel. You can put the link to be cut in at the corner of your vise and cut them to size. Some times you want them in half, or cut them long and throw the short piece away. Cut one side flip it over cut the other. Not like you're doing a hundred a day for the rest of your life. Lot of  times bolt cutters will warp the cut link. That's okay if you're gonna throw the cut link away and use the full loops."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:I don't mess around with half links.  I just cut every other link while clamped in the vice.  Then weld on the full links laying on the long side.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Make friends with someone who has plasma... You could make 100 of those things in 3 minutes.The best things in life all come on a stick!
Reply:found smaller chain, and begged and borrowed a bolt cutter. every other link cut, and use the whole links. no sharp edges after welding, and the whole project took about 45 min including cutting, grinding and welding.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger