making tire chains

[MO Jason]

Are tire chains made from special chain? Could I just get some bulk chain and make my own? I'm having a hard time finding some used ones around here and I'm too cheap to pay the new prices- seems like I can make my own.

 

[john_Bud]

You can, but they won't last as long. The tire chains are hardened wear resistant steel. But if you don't mind that they will only last 15 years instead of 30....


jb

 

[Ecnerwal]

Yes and no.

They are the sort of thing you can make yourself, and even if you count your time at nothing, it may not pay .vs. buying a set from the cheapest vendor you can find for them, unless you have a lot of free chain as well as free time lying around. If you have access to a pile of used chains, then it's a way to trade time for money.

Better quality chains are made with case-hardened chain, I believe. If not using the double-ring style, some are made with square rather than round material, to give a link with more of an edge to bite in.

I have 16.9x28 rears, and several places will sell a pair of duo-grip chains for under $290 for those - $310-ish for double-ring. You generally can't buy the chain alone for that kind of money, unless you have a special source for the stuff, much less the hardware to tie it all together.

Used chains are generally easier to find in spring/summer than fall/winter.

 

[old]

Check your local Hwy dept sheds county and state. A lot of times they will have broken ones laying around that you can buy cheap then use them to make you own. I have done that in the past more then once. If you where to buy the chain new and then try to do it your self you would most likely end up spending more $$ then a set would cost. Now for another question where are you?? Your name says your in MO or I would think that if your close to me I might have some bits and piece I would sell

 

[Tom in CO]

Jason,
I made my own chains and they work great, Here in Colorado the chain law is in effect alot for truckers going over the passes in the winter. Come spring time the are hundreds of chains that litter the highway free for the picking. I picked up several chains and made my own with a criss cross pattern so the chains would not fall between the tire lugs. So if your ever out in Colorado go up and get yourself a few sets.
Tom

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you do buy a set of new chains, you will have them for a long time. A lot of old chains are wore pretty bad. I would bite the bullet and buy new ones. You will be very happy with your investment.

 

[MO Jason]

Thanks for all the answers guys. Old- I live in Knob Noster, MO (on Hwy 50 between Warrensburg and Sedalia).

 

[MDW]

I've been considering making a something similar to a chain set lately. My rears are fairly worn. Since I do forge work and have some steel around, if my idea would work the cost would be mostly time. What's in mind is using solid steel bars for the cross pieces and wire rope (have old crane cable on hand) to connect them. I think I've heard the part that goes around the inside and outside of the tire called trace chains, is that correct? Haven't completely worked out the best (easy and fastest to make) way to connect the bars to the wire rope. Any thoughts on why or why not this might work would be appreciated and might help spin up my idea or prevent some wasted time.
MDW

 

[mooger]

(quoted from post at 08:38:02 01/13/10) I've been considering making a something similar to a chain set lately. My rears are fairly worn. Since I do forge work and have some steel around, if my idea would work the cost would be mostly time. What's in mind is using solid steel bars for the cross pieces and wire rope (have old crane cable on hand) to connect them. I think I've heard the part that goes around the inside and outside of the tire called trace chains, is that correct? Haven't completely worked out the best (easy and fastest to make) way to connect the bars to the wire rope. Any thoughts on why or why not this might work would be appreciated and might help spin up my idea or prevent some wasted time.
MDW

My guess is that bars would chunk the tires, especially so if the bars were square.

Even the most severe duty forestry tires get chained.

 

[Brian Allen]

Making chain is very time consuming, I would not think that it would be cost effective.
However if that is what you wish do do.......
Try to copy a proven design.
Good luck
Brian