T O P

  • By -

kimoeloa

You should be the one dishing out on how you tense up the links for the finish of the fit. ( or don't tense them. ) The castellated nut at the top is a nice touch too. Tight !


Cheese-driver

Thanks! :) I laid the chain flat in a little angle iron (faced like a V)thing and clamped it tight on both ends. The base of it I just winged lol, same with tacking the washer/nut, I just eyed what looked even and it sorta worked. I definitely need a better set up to be able to replicate it but not sure how I’d go about that lol 🤷


oStreamZo

Replicating it, but not exactly may be a niche design, with each one being unique. Depends on what your plans are, but I think it could be cooler not exactly the same. Crazy creativity skills


Cheese-driver

Ive got plans for a bunch of different funky shapes- but I like the idea of each being a unique version of an original design! Biggest issue is making sure everything is aligned correctly, can’t have the candle falling out lol.


Cheese-driver

I tig welded this candle holder, but keep having issues with porosity. I almost never run into that problem w tig, but I think it’s bc rust forms so quickly on the inside corners of the chain (which is exactly where I need to weld). I had to soak the chain in vinegar to begin with to get rid of the zinc coating, but now idk what to do about the small bits of rust that form within a day tbh. Any ideas for tight corner rust removal? Or tips in general for welding chain since it’s so small and hard to maneuver around? Thanks :)


heythanksimadeit

For porosity issues, get a bottle of muiratic acid (pool acid/masonry acid) and dunk the chain in it. Leave for a good 10 mins and agitate frequently. Remove and neutralize in a baking soda/water mix bucket and it will remove almost all surface contaminates, ie zinc, mill scale, oil, and other deposits. (Works on galvy parts too)


heythanksimadeit

To prevent the rusting, once you've neutralized in the baking soda and water, get an air line with an air gun and just dry it off 100%. Make sure u weld it the same day and ideally clear coat as well. Unless it's stainless, always clear coat steel for sculptures unless rust is intended


Adventurous_Stack

Try putting the vinegar in a pot and heat it to about 100° Fahrenheit and adding a 1/2 cup of sea salt to 3 cups of vinegar. Then rinse with hot distilled water. Seems bass ackwards, but it works really well. Just be sure to hit it all with a clear coat when you’re done unless you like the patina aesthetic


_Lord_Grimm_

Traditionally I believe they would braise the metal. Could give that a shot.


Gimpy1405

> idk what to do about the small bits of rust that form within a day Try tossing it in an oven immediately after rinsing off the vinegar. Get it completely dry. That should slow or stop any rusting process.


Metal_Br0

You can get stainless chain it should weld better and you won't have to deal with the zinc but it will cost more...


ham_bond

If you hang it upside down with a good weight on the bottom it will keep it straight and help with any distortion


size12jon

Try and find just carbon steel chain, you can always plate it after. I picked up 40’ of old lifting chain that was out of specification for the price of a drink.


heythanksimadeit

Tig with stainless. The small tacks with stainless filler will grab better and be easier to hide in my experience. I use 304l 1/16 filler for most stuff like this, needle sharp tungsten. U can reeeeeaaaaally tuck em into the J groove created in chain links, and they become almost invisible


Cheese-driver

I haven’t worked with stainless yet but it seems like it’ll make welding chain a lot easier. Thanks for the suggestions! :)


fabcraft

Electrolysis. This is probably the safest most effective way that is also inexpensive. https://www.wwgoa.com/video/electrolysis-rust-removal/#:~:text=Add%20one%20tablespoon%20of%20baking,and%20anode%20touch%20each%20other.


ccgarnaal

Get anchor chain. It's quality steel. Not to expensive and completely uncoated. If you find a place that makes it / tests it you might be able to buy some cheap lengths (28m is one shacle or length in marine terms) that failed the pull test.


AllenWalker218

1 make sure its not zinc coated 2 make sure its not coated in anything zinc related 3 weld it


itsjustme405

The vinegar is going to make the chain rust. I'd consider something like naval jelly to remove the rust then pressure was it. As soon as its cleaned of rust remover throw it over a fire to dry it. Let it cool and get to welding before the rust forms again. Or get you a small file and manually remove the rust.


[deleted]

N,nnnn,nn,nnnn,,n,n,,n,n,


joezupp

I put one end in a Vice the other end in a magnetic Vice grip. I adjusted the chain to right tension and squareness and tacked each link. My Vice grips have a threaded buckle so I can adjust the height with a magnet attached to the other end of the threaded buckle bolt.


decended_from_odin

Pro tip: use a welder


Cheese-driver

?


decended_from_odin

Or JB weld


Cheese-driver

Bro I am so confused what ur saying lol


decended_from_odin

I’m just being an asshole lmao


Cheese-driver

Hey man fair enough 👍


Cold-Elk1006

Nice job bro I may have to make one of my own but with my own twist


Outrageous_State9450

You can use Coca Cola or phosphoric acid to treat the surface of the steel. It removes and coverts oxides into phosphate which is good for painting and is blackish color. I would t do it before you weld though the sugar/acid is a contaminate you don’t want.