Chain Tool

in such a way that it could be mended with the same tool. A bicycle chain has links and plates that are pinned together; these pins can be pushed partway out with the chain tool.

This tool is required for removal and installation of the chain on a bicycle with derailleur gears, for maintenance or replacement. Bicycles with fixed gears front and rear, for instance the widely used coaster and three speed bikes, do not require this as they have a Master link on the chain which holds the pin in place with an easily removable c clip; this protrudes, however, and would interfere with the smooth operation of a derailleur system. This tool is used, however, should it be necessary to lengthen or shorten any type of chain.

As can be seen, the chain tool has two positions where a chain can be inserted perpendicular to the tool, one close to the movable screw portion, and one lower down just above the fixed end. In each position, there are a pair of protruding "ears"ain held next to the screw, comes into play. The previous reassembly procedure usually leaves the outer plates of that link of the chain pressed tightly against the roller of the inner plates; this results in a "stiff link" which will tend to skip when shifting. To relieve this condition, the screw is backed almost all the way out once again, and the link of chain with the just-inserted pin is moved to the upper position of the tool. The screw is now advanced again, but only slightly, to press the pin forward just a tiny amount. Since the lower outer plate is not supported in this position of the chain on the tool, the pin is not pressed through the lower plate but only through the upper plate. Instead, the lower plate moves with the pin, relative to the upper plate, creating a larger separation; a very small movement is enough to release the pressure of the outer plates against the inner plates, freeing the "stiff link". This procedure can be used to free any "stiff links" which occur spontaneously, as well.

The tool is used similarly either to remove a segment of chain to shorten it, or to join two segments of chain to make a longer one. If neither piece to be joined has a pin protruding from one side to enable it to be joined in this fashion, then one inner link must be removed, leaving that pin protruding for use to join to the other segment of chain.

The design pictured here is for chains where the links have flat plates. For chains with complicated shaped plates designed to facilitate smooth shifting, specific chain tools are available which are identical in design and operation, but have the ears protruding into the chain shaped in cross section to fit the links of the particular chain in question precisely, so as to hold the pin in the all-important vertical alignment with the screw of the tool.


Home Articles Construction Tools Woodworking Store Tools Furniture Bathroom Flooring	Chain Tool in such a way that it could be mended with the same tool. A bicycle chain has links and plates that are pinned together; these pins can be pushed partway out with the chain tool. This tool is required for removal and installation of the chain on a bicycle with derailleur gears, for maintenance or replacement. Bicycles with fixed gears front and rear, for instance the widely used coaster and three speed bikes, do not require this as they have a Master link on the chain which holds the pin in place with an easily removable c clip; this protrudes, however, and would interfere with the smooth operation of a derailleur system. This tool is used, however, should it be necessary to lengthen or shorten any type of chain. As can be seen, the chain tool has two positions where a chain can be inserted perpendicular to the tool, one close to the movable screw portion, and one lower down just above the fixed end. In each position, there are a pair of protruding "ears"ain held next to the screw, comes into play. The previous reassembly procedure usually leaves the outer plates of that link of the chain pressed tightly against the roller of the inner plates; this results in a "stiff link" which will tend to skip when shifting. To relieve this condition, the screw is backed almost all the way out once again, and the link of chain with the just-inserted pin is moved to the upper position of the tool. The screw is now advanced again, but only slightly, to press the pin forward just a tiny amount. Since the lower outer plate is not supported in this position of the chain on the tool, the pin is not pressed through the lower plate but only through the upper plate. Instead, the lower plate moves with the pin, relative to the upper plate, creating a larger separation; a very small movement is enough to release the pressure of the outer plates against the inner plates, freeing the "stiff link". This procedure can be used to free any "stiff links" which occur spontaneously, as well. The tool is used similarly either to remove a segment of chain to shorten it, or to join two segments of chain to make a longer one. If neither piece to be joined has a pin protruding from one side to enable it to be joined in this fashion, then one inner link must be removed, leaving that pin protruding for use to join to the other segment of chain. The design pictured here is for chains where the links have flat plates. For chains with complicated shaped plates designed to facilitate smooth shifting, specific chain tools are available which are identical in design and operation, but have the ears protruding into the chain shaped in cross section to fit the links of the particular chain in question precisely, so as to hold the pin in the all-important vertical alignment with the screw of the tool.
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