JHCC Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 A variation on the classic chain holddown: two sections of motorcycle drive chain, weighted down with bell clappers. Rather than attaching to a single point (a hook or the like) at the fixed end, the chains can be positioned on a heavy wire slide. This way, they can hold a workpiece either separated or side-by-side as circumstances require; they can also be positioned at almost any point on the length of the anvil's face. When not in use, each chain drops down to the anvil's base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share Posted September 17, 2017 The slide is made from the heavy wire from an election sign and is something of a proof-of-concept. If I like how it works, I'll probably make something a bit more robust out of 1/4" round or the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel h Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Great idea , I really like the way you can adjust down the length of the anvil. I hope you don't mind my stealing that idea , I have all the parts. Just put it together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share Posted September 17, 2017 Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Geist Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Nice, good idea George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Now that's the best holddown I've seen to date, good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share Posted September 17, 2017 Added a wire loop handle to one of the weights, for ease of lifting and positioning. (Thanks to Thomas Powers for the suggestion.) I will probably make some beefier ones out of 1/4" round the next time I fire up the forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Going to have to make me one of those. Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Drive chain hold downs are darned effective, nicely done John. I've seen a T bar anchor that slips through the hardy hole and lets work be secured lengthwise on the anvil. Especially handy if you want to use the step. I think a weight is a LOT handier than springs but either way they're effective hold downs. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 Okay, made some proper handles: Each handle is bent from 17" of 1/4" x 3/4" flat bar. The handles attach to the clapper stems with heavy wire "staples". The loop of the staple goes through the chain in the back. The chains can be crossed over to give extra holding power in a smaller spot. No photo, but the handles and weights go all the way under the stand when not in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Good Morning, If you turn the handles upside down, you could put your foot in it and have control. I am not meaning "Get the Lead out", just a little more control on the 'Chain Gang'. There is no incorrect way, whatever works is good. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 The handles are great for lifting and positioning the weights, so I'm definitely leaving them where they are. However, it would be fairly easy to attach a stirrup to the bottom of the chain or the bottom of weight if some additional holding power is needed. Thanks for the suggestion; I will certainly keep that in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Remember too that using a stirrup can throw off your hammering stance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 Good point. Chances are that if I'm going to need the extra holding power, I'm also going to need a good stance for a hefty blow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Poet Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 This thread convinced me to make my own variation that has ideas stolen from a few different sources. The weights work, but I think a foot pedal provides superior clamping force. The chain can easily be kicked off the peg welded to the pedal, and the pedal and chain can be removed entirely with just two pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 25, 2017 Author Share Posted September 25, 2017 Very nice! Another thing that I figured out yesterday is that this is quite good for holding down my bridge tool, which otherwise has a tendency to bounce around when I'm using the bickern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 As noted over in the “What did you do in the shop today” thread, the wire proof-of-concept slide (see top photo) gave up the ghost, so I made a new one from 1/2” round: Close-up of how it’s attached: The tabs are a bit thin, because I accidentally made them too short and had to draw them out a bit more than originally planned. Still nice and solid, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 31, 2018 Author Share Posted January 31, 2018 Addendum: now that I have a welder on loan for a little while, I'm thinking seriously about throwing a couple of spot welds on to hold the slide more firmly to the stand, just as insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charcold Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I am planning a variation of this when I get some time. The slide bar will be a handle, as that's already needed on my stump to tilt back onto casters for moving in and out of the garage plus hanging hammers on. The hooks attaching it will be open enough to remove with similar weights on the other end, so that i can remove the hold down when moving the anvil around. May use a heavy duty carabiner for the connection between chain and handle for a secure removable setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 31, 2018 Author Share Posted January 31, 2018 13 minutes ago, Charcold said: May use a heavy duty carabiner for the connection between chain and handle for a secure removable setup. Now that’s an interesting idea. I might give that a try, but with the carabiner as the connection between the chain and the slide. That way, the whole chain-and-handle assembly could be unhooked and put elsewhere, if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charcold Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Ya I was thinking having a permanent handle/slidebar on there would be good but i can see my shins or knees hitting those weights a time or two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Hi John, Please tell me you made two sets and have an extra set up just laying there waiting for some needy local smith. Ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Sorry, no such luck. However, they’ve got some pretty massive roller chain over at HGR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I hear that! Going the this morning.. Got a great deal on a small blower.. $5.00 Picking up a welding table too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Timing chains for some DOHC engines are leaf style chains and would make a great gripping chain. I have some old chains from work that are from #25 up to #80-2 and #80-3 triple wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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