Do it yourself Tire Chains

[Scare Crow]

I've been shopping for tire chains, wow they ain't cheap! Has anyone here made their own chains? It seems to me I could buy the cross links in bulk and the clasps then string them on some simple side runners. At a glance it seems like I'd get out of it a lot cheaper (not counting my time).


-Mike-

 

[k0ua]

I've been shopping for tire chains, wow they ain't cheap! Has anyone here made their own chains? It seems to me I could buy the cross links in bulk and the clasps then string them on some simple side runners. At a glance it seems like I'd get out of it a lot cheaper (not counting my time).


-Mike-

I saw a video of a guy in Sweden (I think) making some.. He did pretty much as you describe, and used a MIG welder to weld up the links.

 

[k0ua]

maybe look at these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9MdeuBwxK0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKIeyLdVQMQ

 

[PILOON]

I had a set that were simply terrible as the S hooks that were used to link the corners snapped from time to time.
I totally dismantled the chains and re-configured to ladder style and proceeded to make them into a 3 link ladder set. They now are simply awesome.
All the cross chains are studded ice grip style and being every 3rd link the ride is very nice.
My drive is a fairly steep grade and even on hard clear ice I do not slip.
Now I even splice welded short bits in order to use up all the chain stock as I had lots of time on hand.
I would guess that I probably spent about 10 hours all told on that project.
The most difficult item to obtain is the side chain stock as that is an extra long link.
Older car/truck chains (Ebay and yard sales) is the source for your basic stock source.
I also modified a set for my pickup plow truck into the 3 link configuration. Awesome ride and no slippage at all.

I got ice cross chain stock as well as the side hooks from local bearing supply wholesaler.

 

[Wolfy]

Try TireChains.Com. There is no way you can make a pair cheap, unless you had all the steel already.

 

[George2615]

First you'd need a tire chain crimping / spreading tool at $85.
Then you need to buy the cross links at $5-8 each X however many cross links you need per side.
Then you have to buy a pail of chain to put the cross links on.
Then buy 4 clamps to connect the chain ends. By the time you are done you could have bought the ready made chains without the labor of making them.

My father used to make and repair chains for his car (he used it on a mail delivery route) but that only had 15" tires not the monster size of a tractor tire.

 

[kco]

As others said, you likely won't save by building your own chains. However, some chains are available in bulk (e.g. LaClede DUO chains). You can buy side chain and normal cross chain in continuous lengths. You can see which are available in the Quality Chain Corp and the LaClede sites. You would need to find a dealer who handles their product and buy the lengths from them. There may be some chain/equipment shops in your area who custom make chains and will sell bulk chain. I did that for modifying my DUO's. They sold me a continuous length of bulk patterns and I fit that into my standard chain.

As George2615 mentioned, a chain tool is recommended if you plan to do a lot of modifications as are large bolt cutters.

 

[plumbstraight]

Might think of using some semi truck chains. Some trucking companies might have some used ones not fit for the high speed work. Just cut a set down as needed.

 

[Mace Canute]

Might think of using some semi truck chains. Some trucking companies might have some used ones not fit for the high speed work. Just cut a set down as needed.

We've used truck chains for semis to make chains for a tractor, it worked very well and were easy to modify to fit. Found them in a scrap yard so got them for what they charged for resale of scrap metal, 20 cents a pound IIRC.

 

[Don H]

I made some for my Ford 1520 with 24" tires out of truck chains I got for free.
Only tools I used were a grinder to cut the chain, a hammer and chisel to spread the cross links and a welder to weld added links.