Thread: Easy shackles (or just chain) from PVC

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A very good idea. Looks great! Let me ask a dumb question, (I was an Infantry NCO for 10 years...I 'm not afraid to ask dumb questions) Can you use a band saw to cut the pvc pipe or would it "chip out" and leave rough edges?

that is a great idea and super easy to make.

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

A very good idea. Looks great! Let me ask a dumb question, (I was an Infantry NCO for 10 years...I 'm not afraid to ask dumb questions) Can you use a band saw to cut the pvc pipe or would it "chip out" and leave rough edges?

I have no idea...give it a try and see how it goes.

BTW: I just tried making some bigger links out of ABS pipe instead of PVC. Works just as well, and has the added benefit of not needing paint, since ABS is already black. YAY!!

I have not made these... but think that when I do I will try to cut the pvc on a diagonal to give the link more of a natural link look...longer .. rather than same as width. Thanks for post. For next year. :-)

Originally Posted by Holy Smiter

I have not made these... but think that when I do I will try to cut the pvc on a diagonal to give the link more of a natural link look...longer .. rather than same as width. Thanks for post. For next year. :-)

By all means, give it a try...I did, and found that they resembled slices of sausage or maybe thin penne pasta, so I went back to straight cuts.

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

A very good idea. Looks great! Let me ask a dumb question, (I was an Infantry NCO for 10 years...I 'm not afraid to ask dumb questions) Can you use a band saw to cut the pvc pipe or would it "chip out" and leave rough edges?

I've used compound mitre saws (with plywood blade) and jig saws (with fine tooth metal blade) without any problems. Comes out nice and smooth. Just remember to change the blades before using on other material. Also, remove any PVC "dust" left on the blades after cutting or it might stick to the teeth. Also, go slow, let the blade do it's job and it won't chip the PVC.

I love this idea! I am working on next year already. (Wow that comes as a surprise because we all wait till October 1st right?) I took a 10 foot length of underground 1.5 conduit I had left over from a grabber I made and at first started on the miter/chop saw. It was too strong and shattered the 1/4 links. So I slowed down did not cut through and finished with a hacksaw. That ended quick I then got the smart idea to set my fence on the table saw to 1/4 and stood off to the side and cut like 10 ft in about 5 minutes.... of course I had to chase them around the shop later but that is why we have kids... Anyway the links are so strong at that size I have to stick needlenose in the ring to pull it apart to stick the next link in and in one night I cranked out 8 ft of chain. At a $1.29 a length of conduit even the wife can't complain! I am using it to wrap around a culdron and then suspend 3 8 ft lengths off of that and hang it from a tree. Let me tell you one 8 ft length attached to the chain around the neck of the kettle is strong enough to hold so when I balance out the weight it will work great.

I like the bias idea someone had on here but the I think the round rings really look like "old" chain and even the cut in the link with a pair of diagonal cutters makes a nice touch.

Does anyone know if liquid nails works on PVC? I would like to make the shackle for around the branch with the ring to hold the chain, and I was thinking I could gob on the Liquid Nails and take a popsicle stick and indent the glue to look like a weld spot? Any ideas?

Thanks again for the awesome chain idea!!

For gluing the PVC, just buy a can of PVC cement. This should be in the plumbing section of any hardware store. It will make a permanent connection, as it melts and fuses the cut ends.

Eric

I loved the simplicity of this! I had some chain I had bought but not worked into anything yet. I also had some 2 inch laying around from making candles. I quickly fashioned some shackles for my skelly that helped him in his desire to accessorize a little! The only funny thing was when my helper asked how I got the shackles on him... Apparently, he had forgotten that removing the hands and feet from a skelly is not considered dismemberment!

definitely added to my favorites bar for when I start building props next month thank you!