Neeves
Well-Known Member
I don't think we need treat chain as a consumable. Yes it might need replaced in 10 or 20 years but not in 2 or 3 'seasons'. Complaints on chain have been fairly consistent over a decade and have all been of one supplier. It has nothing to do with G70 as the complaints have also been directed at G40. I don't recall owners of other chain, predominately now from China, even making a murmur of complaint over the life of gal.
Interestingly most people who have their chain re-galled - all, or mostly, consistently say the new gal, the second gal, is better than the first. Maybe galvanisers take special care for these non-standard orders. I vaguely recall that Vyv had his G40 chain regalled in the UK (he must have brought it back by car) - but maybe I have this wrong.
So one lesson to be learnt - be careful who made your chain and take note of thread history.
Galvanising determines the life of chain and more of it, within limits, will give longer life. Too thick a coating and the coating inevitably flakes off. Vyv has a cheap and cheerful way of testing gal adhesion - do it!
Most chain makers sub-contracts their galvanising (Peerless are an exception and many Chinese chain makers gal in house). Subcontract galvanisers usually coat engineering products that are not subject to abrasion and the demands are different than for chain. If you have your chain galvanised you really need to emphasise to the galvaniser you want a really clean substrate (or the alloying will be compromised) and a coating a 'bit' thicker than he would normally achieve for his run of the mill production. Most engineering products are coated to a 70 micron thickness - chain really needs to be 100-120 microns. gal thickness is directly related to life. Life is also related to how the owners looks after their chain, if you don't wash the mud off - expect a shorter life - simple stuff.
Here in Oz many galvanisers coat chain, the 2 chain makers use subcontract galvanisers. You do not need special equipment and I know galvanisers here appreciate the issues and 'shake' to ensure the chain does not arrive with you in one lump. This is a bit difficult if you do not speak the language - but I manage with my broad Scots even to those who only know a broad Ozzy twang
This leads to another issue - if you are located somewhere pristine and gorgeous - don't expect a galvaniser to be lurking round a corner. They tend to be focussed in the industrial heartland and the big cities. We have galvanisers in Melbourne, Sydney/Newcastle, Brisbane and Bundaberg - all of whom coat chain and all of whom could process you chain within a week. Each of these locations is about 400nm apart - and there is nothing in-between. It is better if you speak to them.
As mentioned - most, all, galvanisers are members of a country based association and, in Europe, a European association. Check with Google - and you will find a list of galvanisers. If you do not speak the language - go someplace where they do - the Med is not that big (or fir its actually not that important to you - buy new chain).
Maggi's chain is clearly marked A4 or A7 - most Chinese chain is unmarked. Lofrans chain is marked, I don't recall the marks. Peerless chain is all marked - with a variety of marks - but it is marked. CMP chain is clearly marked (it should be available from chandlers selling Rocna anchors - contact CMP in Canada - ask for the nearest stockist (its historically been good quality). Chinese chain quality, including galvanising, has been of an acceptable quality - but there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of chain makers in China and with current contretemps on international trade they are all looking for 'new' markets - buy from a reputable importer and possibly pay a bit more than the bargain on eBay.
Note - Gal is something of an art - some, in fact one only, companies are consistently bad, some generate no complaints, but they all must have off days - and there are no specifications (which is partially our fault - we (and the media) should be more demanding).
Jonathan
Interestingly most people who have their chain re-galled - all, or mostly, consistently say the new gal, the second gal, is better than the first. Maybe galvanisers take special care for these non-standard orders. I vaguely recall that Vyv had his G40 chain regalled in the UK (he must have brought it back by car) - but maybe I have this wrong.
So one lesson to be learnt - be careful who made your chain and take note of thread history.
Galvanising determines the life of chain and more of it, within limits, will give longer life. Too thick a coating and the coating inevitably flakes off. Vyv has a cheap and cheerful way of testing gal adhesion - do it!
Most chain makers sub-contracts their galvanising (Peerless are an exception and many Chinese chain makers gal in house). Subcontract galvanisers usually coat engineering products that are not subject to abrasion and the demands are different than for chain. If you have your chain galvanised you really need to emphasise to the galvaniser you want a really clean substrate (or the alloying will be compromised) and a coating a 'bit' thicker than he would normally achieve for his run of the mill production. Most engineering products are coated to a 70 micron thickness - chain really needs to be 100-120 microns. gal thickness is directly related to life. Life is also related to how the owners looks after their chain, if you don't wash the mud off - expect a shorter life - simple stuff.
Here in Oz many galvanisers coat chain, the 2 chain makers use subcontract galvanisers. You do not need special equipment and I know galvanisers here appreciate the issues and 'shake' to ensure the chain does not arrive with you in one lump. This is a bit difficult if you do not speak the language - but I manage with my broad Scots even to those who only know a broad Ozzy twang
This leads to another issue - if you are located somewhere pristine and gorgeous - don't expect a galvaniser to be lurking round a corner. They tend to be focussed in the industrial heartland and the big cities. We have galvanisers in Melbourne, Sydney/Newcastle, Brisbane and Bundaberg - all of whom coat chain and all of whom could process you chain within a week. Each of these locations is about 400nm apart - and there is nothing in-between. It is better if you speak to them.
As mentioned - most, all, galvanisers are members of a country based association and, in Europe, a European association. Check with Google - and you will find a list of galvanisers. If you do not speak the language - go someplace where they do - the Med is not that big (or fir its actually not that important to you - buy new chain).
Maggi's chain is clearly marked A4 or A7 - most Chinese chain is unmarked. Lofrans chain is marked, I don't recall the marks. Peerless chain is all marked - with a variety of marks - but it is marked. CMP chain is clearly marked (it should be available from chandlers selling Rocna anchors - contact CMP in Canada - ask for the nearest stockist (its historically been good quality). Chinese chain quality, including galvanising, has been of an acceptable quality - but there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of chain makers in China and with current contretemps on international trade they are all looking for 'new' markets - buy from a reputable importer and possibly pay a bit more than the bargain on eBay.
Note - Gal is something of an art - some, in fact one only, companies are consistently bad, some generate no complaints, but they all must have off days - and there are no specifications (which is partially our fault - we (and the media) should be more demanding).
Jonathan
