Tips for Cutting Chain

I’m just trying to see if anyone has any advice for cutting anchor chain. In the past, I have used a hacksaw, which sucked, and then I switched to dremel, which sucked less, but I would go through one and a half discs per each cut.
I read that bolt cutters are the easiest method, so I went out and bought a set of 24 inch ones. Unfortunately, I was able to get a little more than just a deep scratch on my length of 8 mm stainless chain. Any other bright ideas, or am I just back to hacksaw and dremel?

These will work. You can bring a peice of chain with you and try them before you buy them.

Link here.

I was a hacksaw bandit also but recently converted to the bolt cutters myself. The 24” pair I have cuts through 8mm/316 stainless pretty good. Cut one side first and then put a towel over the other side to protect the piece from flying off when cut. Maybe need a better pair of 24” or just go bigger if that’s an issue. Good old thread that was recently on here if you look…

I use an electric angle grinder with a thin cutoff disc for most of my metal cutting needs. The disc will cut in a matter of seconds. Guessing that you can get 20+ cuts from one disc. Anyone who works with metal will have an angle grinder. Perhaps ask friends or neighbors to borrow theirs.  The 4" or 4.5" size is powerful enough. 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DIABLO-4-1-2-in-x-0-040-in-x-7-8-in-Thin-Kerf-Metal-Cut-Off-Disc-DBD045040101F/202830995 

JChepeswrote:

I was a hacksaw bandit also but recently converted to the bolt cutters myself. The 24” pair I have cuts through 8mm/316 stainless pretty good. Cut one side first and then put a towel over the other side to protect the piece from flying off when cut. Maybe need a better pair of 24” or just go bigger if that’s an issue. Good old thread that was recently on here if you look…

Strange. I was using 24” cutters from Ace. I applied so much force that I actually bent one of the arms, and literally went in less than 1 mm into the chain. 

Second Yondu's recommendation, I have a pair and they work well.

Last stainless 10mm I had to cut with a cutoff wheel to get it started then use a 36” bolt cutter to finish.  Bolt cutters alone didn’t work.  Since then, I just buy precut chain from hownot2 life is too short to waste it cutting chain.

Frank Steinwrote:

Strange. I was using 24” cutters from Ace. I applied so much force that I actually bent one of the arms, and literally went in less than 1 mm into the chain. 

Damn man that’s some sheer brute strength! We use 24” at work for cutting 1/4” cable in tree support systems. Both pairs(24”) I’ve used have cut the 5/16” chain and a little less intensive than the hacksaw. I would consider Ace decent quality but those I maybe would try to return. The 42’ Yondo mentioned should do it but the other thread recommends spending a bit more for quality. If I were to buy my own pair I would definitely size up to the 42” one.

Yeah, they seemed pretty cheap. The handles would bow without too much effort. 

Use a quality set of bolt cutters, SS is much harder to cut than plated chain. Having said that it’s all about the technique. Turn the chain and cut it vertical instead of horizontal so that the jaws don’t hit the opposite side. Have the chain link as far into the jaws as possible and be careful not to Knick the next chain link. 24” or 36” will work fine for 8mm, it’s much more about the technique than the leverage. Kobalt and Tyler tool are the nicest bolt cutters I’ve used. The how not 2 long link chain is easier to accomplish good technique with than the shorter length chain, but either can be cut easily.

Alternatively use an angle grinder with an abrasive cutting wheel, use a vice, or vice grip pliers to hold the chain. Don’t use your fingers to stabilize it!

Third and cheapest option is to use the hydraulic cutter at your local hardware store, either be nice to the employee or do it yourself and don’t ask :P

Another vote for using a bench vice to hold the chain link in place and use an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel. I got a stainless specific cut-off disc and it cuts chain like butter. I'm not sure if it actually cuts faster than a regular disc though.

So, I returned the 24” Ace Hardware bolt cutters and went back back to a cut-off disc. Made my cuts last night. Took about 15 minutes and about one disc per cut…not ideal. Chain is 8 mm 316 Bolt Products. I think that I’ll invest in quality cutters in the 40+ inch range. 

I've got 1000s of hours of steel pipefitting under my belt.

I just came here to say you need to wear *both*, a face shield and Z87 safety glasses when using a cutoff wheel on a grinder. 

When the disc explodes, the pieces that fly are like arrowheads.

If you can justify it, get an abrasive wheel chop saw. 

Frank Steinwrote:

So, I returned the 24” Ace Hardware bolt cutters and went back back to a cut-off disc. Made my cuts last night. Took about 15 minutes and about one disc per cut…not ideal. Chain is 8 mm 316 Bolt Products. I think that I’ll invest in quality cutters in the 40+ inch range. 

I'd expect to cut maybe 40  links using a 125mm x 1mm cut- off disc, I do it all the time. I only cut the weld and twist the link open.

i think the pro tip is to have the hardware store cut a few different lengths, and if needed use a quick link or two here or there as needed.

A cheap Harbor Freight angle grinder and metal cutoff wheels will cut through chain in seconds.

https://www.harborfreight.com/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html

+1 for the bolt cutters - fast and safe. Toss a towel or something over the link as you make the second cut since it tends to send the pieces flying.

Frank Steinwrote:

So, I returned the 24” Ace Hardware bolt cutters and went back back to a cut-off disc. Made my cuts last night. Took about 15 minutes and about one disc per cut…not ideal. Chain is 8 mm 316 Bolt Products. I think that I’ll invest in quality cutters in the 40+ inch range. 

I'm assuming you're using a Dremel and not an actual angle grinder with a 4 1/2" abrasive aluminum oxide disc. You can pick up a 5 pack of discs and and corded grinder in the US for $40. You should be able to cut through a link in less than 10 seconds per side. 

Again with proper technique you should have no problem cutting 5/16" or 8mm chain with 24" or 36" cutters. Put the one handle on the ground and press with both hands on the top handle. 

I'm starting to wonder if you're reading any of the comments above?

X Foliatorwrote:

I've got 1000s of hours of steel pipefitting under my belt.

I just came here to say you need to wear *both*, a face shield and Z87 safety glasses when using a cutoff wheel on a grinder. 

When the disc explodes, the pieces that fly are like arrowheads.

If you can justify it, get an abrasive wheel chop saw. 

Despite wearing glasses, I once got a metal shard embedded in my eye from using a cutoff disc on a circular saw.  So the face shield is a good idea.

DrRockso RRGwrote:

I'm assuming you're using a Dremel and not an actual angle grinder with a 4 1/2" abrasive aluminum oxide disc. You can pick up a 5 pack of discs and and corded grinder in the US for $40. You should be able to cut through a link in less than 10 seconds per side. 

Again with proper technique you should have no problem cutting 5/16" or 8mm chain with 24" or 36" cutters. Put the one handle on the ground and press with both hands on the top handle. 

I'm starting to wonder if you're reading any of the comments above?

I am reading them. I was using 24 inch cutters, with bottom, lever braced, and then putting all of my weight with legs braced on the upper lever. I bent the upper lever and made it maybe 1 mm into the chain. I then switched to a 2 inch cutting disc on a drill adapter. That worked, but it took about 15 minutes per cut.

I have my chain lengths cut now, pretty much an all evening effort, but in the future, I think I’ll employ longer bolt cutters or a larger cutting disc. In the past, I used a hacksaw, but that’s even worse.

DrRockso RRGwrote:

I'm starting to wonder if you're reading any of the comments above?

Wondering the same thing. 

Several good ideas have been posted numerous times.

Personally I use the 42" bolt cutters from Harbor Fraught. Admittedly haven't cut ss chain in a while (arid West) but use them all the time with 5/16 and 3/8" plated chain (and have plenty with ss in the past). I just cut four pieces of 3/8" chain earlier today in just a few minutes. Do it in the garage and set one handle on the floor while pushing on the other with both hands. Easy breezy.