Chain breaker and spinner

[Deleted member 149229]

Im not a fan of most cheap tools but the reviews on the Harbor Freight model aren’t bad especially if you tweak the tool body before use. I have bought a Harbor Freight dual axis drill press vice, while it’s not what I’m used to as a retired machinist, it’s very serviceable for my needs. Anybody have first hand knowledge/use of the breaker/spinner? For my uses spending the $ on a top of the line model isn’t warranted, this is only $54 and I have a 25% off coupon. Thanks.

 

[67L36Driver]

[emoji102]

 

[Franny K]

I got a used Oregon one with a partial spool of chain. No other experience, probably would be fine for the smaller end of the spectrum. Note the punch for the small chains like the 0.043 3/8lp is not the same as the normal punch. I generally use that tiny punch as often I re use the pieces and there is more left with that one. Note there are two spinner anvils, one for 0.325 and smaller chain and one for 3/8 and 0.404, not sure about larger than that. Then there is a block to hold the chain not generally called an anvil that I know of. Kind of need good glasses or eyesight and decent light especially for the breaker.

 

[CR888]

Just make sure you can buy replacement punches and I suggest buying a couple of spares. Breakers are simple tools but experience a fair bit of force through them. Often a second hand Italian made Tecomec or something is the way to go as there well made. But at the price your buying at I'd buy one, just make sure you can get those punches or OEM punches from the maker they copied.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

Just make sure you can buy replacement punches and I suggest buying a couple of spares. Breakers are simple tools but experience a fair bit of force through them. Often a second hand Italian made Tecomec or something is the way to go as there well made. But at the price your buying at I'd buy one, just make sure you can get those punches or OEM punches from the maker they copied.

Finding out getting spare parts for ANY Harbor Freight product can be a nightmare/nonexistent. Beginning to think making my own die and grinding with a Dremell and then using a hammer and punch would work. This isn’t going to be an often done project. Now to find a spinner.

 

[Philbert]

I bought the Bailey's spinner and breaker combo on sale, several years ago, after seeing that it was what they used in their shop, making dozens of loops per week. Was able to buy spare punches and spinner anvils for it. http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...landPro-Chain-Breaker-Spinner-Combination.axd

The Oregon pair is probably 'the standard', and lots of parts available from any Oregon dealer.

Best deal right now, if I had to buy one, is the Tecomec set, which appears to use the same parts as Oregon.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tecomec-Ch...O-Repair-Tool-Pro-Bench-Mounted-/381880301401

Eventually, you will realize that you spent more on pre-sets, and if you want to sell it, it will keep more of its value.

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/baileys-chain-breaker-and-spinner.144859/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/spinning-chain-fess-up.170216/

Philbert

 

[Deleted member 149229]

I bought the Bailey's spinner and breaker combo on sale, several years ago, after seeing that it was what they used in their shop, making dozens of loops per week. Was able to buy spare punches and spinner anvils for it. http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...landPro-Chain-Breaker-Spinner-Combination.axd

The Oregon pair is probably 'the standard', and lots of parts available from any Oregon dealer.

Best deal right now, if I had to buy one, is the Tecomec set, which appears to use the same parts as Oregon.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tecomec-Ch...O-Repair-Tool-Pro-Bench-Mounted-/381880301401

Eventually, you will realize that you spent more on pre-sets, and if you want to sell it, it will keep more of its value.

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/baileys-chain-breaker-and-spinner.144859/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/spinning-chain-fess-up.170216/

Philbert

Thanks. Been doing some “gozintas”, call me Jethro, and buying one for my use makes no sense. Sold a saw, found a couple brand new chains from that saw that will work on a Husky if I shorten each by 6 dl. I’ll just take them to be done.

 

[Philbert]

The real value of a spinner and breaker, IMO, is not to make loops off of reels, but really to repair, resize, repurpose, etc. Really learn a lot about chains. Also make some new friends (who need chains repaired, resized, repurposed, etc.)!

Philbert

 

[Deleted member 149229]

The real value of a spinner and breaker, IMO, is not to make loops off of reels, but really to repair, resize, repurpose, etc. Really learn a lot about chains. Also make some new friends (who need chains repaired, resized, repurposed, etc.)!

Philbert

Repair and resize was my intention.
I don’t reload or do chains for anyone. Had a friend reload some rounds for a “friend of a friend”. Short version, rifle came apart. Guy starts running his mouth about a lawsuit. Good thing the guy he was with spoke up and mentioned the barrel getting jammed in the mud.

 

[CR888]

Every sawyer who need not start a new thread about adding a drive link to their chain that's too short or long is a good reason to own a breaker/spinner setup. Before I bought one I resized many dozen chains using my chain grinder to thin the rivet then a hammer & punch to break chain then the hammer to peen the rivet again. I used old chains for presets. Never had a chain come apart doing my old dodgy practices. While they work in a pinch, having the right tools is always best but I still grind rivets before using my breaker, takes a lot of stress off the punch.

 

[svk]

The real value of a spinner and breaker, IMO, is not to make loops off of reels, but really to repair, resize, repurpose, etc. Really learn a lot about chains. Also make some new friends (who need chains repaired, resized, repurposed, etc.)!

Philbert

Yeah I really need to buy my own. But buying lunches and/or coffee for Philbert a few times a year works too

 

[CR888]

You will use up more chain from trades and stuff having a setup. Many guys post chain for sale cheap as it fit a saw they sold or no longer have a bar that fits. Being able to resize chain means you won't have odd DL loops hanging on a nail in the shop with no purpose. Just recently a member sold 93dl lpx chains really cheap as he did not know what to do with them, he ran 91dl, this is where a breaker/spinner pays for itself and saves you money.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I bought the Bailey's spinner and breaker combo on sale, several years ago, after seeing that it was what they used in their shop, making dozens of loops per week. Was able to buy spare punches and spinner anvils for it. http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...landPro-Chain-Breaker-Spinner-Combination.axd

The Oregon pair is probably 'the standard', and lots of parts available from any Oregon dealer.

Best deal right now, if I had to buy one, is the Tecomec set, which appears to use the same parts as Oregon.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tecomec-Ch...O-Repair-Tool-Pro-Bench-Mounted-/381880301401

Eventually, you will realize that you spent more on pre-sets, and if you want to sell it, it will keep more of its value.

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/baileys-chain-breaker-and-spinner.144859/
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/spinning-chain-fess-up.170216/

Philbert

That Tecomec set really works well. I mounted the pair on a shop-made black walnut base that I can hold using either of my bench vises. I like the abilty to squeeze the links with the small adjustable vise prior to snapping the chain link's rivet. The illustrations should be a bit larger and the instructions more exact, but that's the breaks you face on anything imported. I got through it with some practice and a magnifying glass. Pics of my walnut base mounting that holds both the spinner and the breaker available upon request.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

That Tecomec set really works well. I mounted the pair on a shop-made black walnut base that I can hold using either of my bench vises. I like the abilty to squeeze the links with the small adjustable vise prior to snapping the chain link's rivet. The illustrations should be a bit larger and the instructions more exact, but that's the breaks you face on anything imported. I got through it with some practice and a magnifying glass. Pics of my walnut base mounting that holds both the spinner and the breaker available upon request.

Pics please.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Pics please.

I'm working on the Pics. Give me some time. I threaded the holes for bolts because walnut will hold threads for blind holes and no nuts are required. These will be still shots but should do the trick. I like this platform, otherwise I would not have offered to show it. I'm sure you understand that and by now, Philbert is probably using his.

One thing I noticed after buying this pair is that Roughneck from Northern Tool has a combo unit that breaks and spins in one package.

 

[Big_Wood]

i bought one of those combo ones and they work, i still have it actually but have a 2 piece cast set now so it never see's use. mine didn't require any tweeking as the chain had enough flex to fit the wheels anyways despite being out of alignment slightly. the cam in the press of mine was dry so i greased it. the little handle supplied for the press is also a piece of **** so i had my buddy turn one down out of stainless. it'll press bar tip rivets out with the bigger handle but only good for chain with the wimpy handle it comes with. good enough for most as tip rivets can also be drilled. the spinner comes with 2 sets of dies, one for 3/8/.404 and another set for smaller chains. the only real ****** thing about it is mounting it somewhere you can access both tools easily.
it only takes a flat file, punch, and a hammer to do any repair you need to a chain though. did it that way for years.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

i bought one of those combo ones and they work, i still have it actually but have a 2 piece cast set now so it never see's use. mine didn't require any tweeking as the chain had enough flex to fit the wheels anyways despite being out of alignment slightly. the cam in the press of mine was dry so i greased it. the little handle supplied for the press is also a piece of **** so i had my buddy turn one down out of stainless. it'll press bar tip rivets out with the bigger handle but only good for chain with the wimpy handle it comes with. good enough for most as tip rivets can also be drilled. the spinner comes with 2 sets of dies, one for 3/8/.404 and another set for smaller chains. the only real ****** thing about it is mounting it somewhere you can access both tools easily.
it only takes a flat file, punch, and a hammer to do any repair you need to a chain though. did it that way for years.

Shame you’re not closer to PA. I’ld ask how much you want but shipping would be rediculous.

 

[Big_Wood]

if you got a 272 piston i'll trade you for it lol

 

[Big_Wood]

 

[Philbert]

I glued a golf ball sized knob on the end of my press handle to make it more comfortable to use (pics in threads mentioned above), but bending was not an issue. Sounds like you now have the heavy duty Oregon models that are also good for harvester chain:
http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...Kits/Oregon-DuraMax-Breaker-Spinner-Combo.axd
https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/Heavy-Duty-Rivet-Spinner/p/24549-SI
https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/Heavy-Duty-Chain-Breaker/p/24548-SI

If you only use one or two sizes / types of chain, it is pretty easy to keep up with the presets (repair links). If you scrounge and work on used chains or for others, that can be a challenge. I root around on eBay periodically to look for presets, but if anyone has 'orphaned' presets or tie straps from chains they no longer use, I am interested in 'adopting' them!

Philbert