Affixing chain into tube terminals

If this subject is on the archives, I haven=92t found it. I find that
crimping the chain or cable into the tube mars and deforms the tube
and I am very leery of soldering the chain in. Exactly how is it
done? Thanx so much for this great forum.

Addy

Hi, Addy, My favorite way to solder chain into a tube to finish it
off (which I do mostly with snake chain) is to insert the chain,
allowing a bit of it to stick out the other side. I then solder it
at that end, and trim/file off the excess. I lay a razor blade over
the other end of the tube and chain to avoid having solder travel
there or melting something. With a closed cap, I would put a piece of
solder in first, then the chain, proceed as above, though of course
there is no way to really know when you’ve done it other than
quenching and pulling. Maybe someone else will give us both a tip on
that. HTH! Noel

Hello Addy, If you’re talking about snake chain, soldering is the
only way I know. It’s not hard if you have a good fit between the
tube and chain, and put water-based White-out on the chain above the
tube. A notched “V” shape from copper or stainless steel sheet
helps too. Put the notch over the chain and you have a heat shield.
Email me off line if you need a better description. Judy in Kansas

Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
B.A.E. 237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhatttan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936 FAX (785) 532-6944

With a closed cap, I would put a piece of solder in first, then the
chain, proceed as above, though of course there is no way to really
know when you've done it other than quenching and pulling. 

Addy,

This is also a VERY appropriate time to use an extra easy solder.

It will flow quickly, perhaps before you have annealed the chain. It
will also come apart with very little heat, just in case you need to
do a repair in the future.

Doug Zaruba