Blacksmithing - Forge Welding A Motorcycle Chain By Hand

[@kevinMD7751]

Your the man, not afraid to try something most people wouldn't even think to attempt. I love the "I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm doing it any" attitude!!! Keep up the great work and thank you for taking us on these learning adventures with you.

[@sunflyr]

I like your willingness to take us along with your exploration into new things. I especially like the, "this isn't how to but how I did it." I look forward to seeing the blade from that piece. Nicely done. Keep it up.

[@ndbarss]

I love how you are always just doing things to learn. People tell you something isn't going to work - you do it to figure out why. Keep it up -- and thanks for the channel.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

You are part craftsman, part artist and all genius! What a great idea. I hope to see the finished product.

[@bill45a1]

Chandler, I thank you for toning down the swearing as well!!! Your perseverance is remarkable, a true sign of a craftsman! You have done more than any two men could have this year, and I am pulling for ya! Prayers and praises for you my friend! Buy a leather dew rag and use it to protect your chin whiskers!!!

[@northeasttxpermie4828]

Chandler, I don't know a thing about blacksmithing, but I'm pretty sure you're nuts! And I like it!!!!!! Creativity, the mother of invention, and all that stuff. I'm just three minutes into the video, so now I'm going back to watch the rest of it.

[@billerubin4240]

Now this may be why I have saved all my old chains and parts. Great idea and work, almost a Damascus look there.

[@drason69]

I Don't mind the cussing..hell I do it all the f$&king time when smithing. I've never tried such a weld, so you are way ahead of me and the 15+ years I've been playing with forge fires. Hammer on brother, hammer on!

[@nameundetected6867]

The patterns in the finished material are a work of art

[@sgtward101]

As always your "how I did" video is inspiring. I've tried many different ways and methods. some have worked and some not so much. It makes me feel better about my abilities knowing that a better smith has the same problems as me. Keep up the good work. I have learned a lot from watching you work through your processes.

[@BernieFromTheInternet]

Chain Pattern welding is one of the most beautiful patterns in my opinion. Cant wait to see whatever becomes of it polished and etched :D

[@FUGYOO]

Oh dude!! I just changed my chain on my 1980 shovel the other day and was contemplating trying to forge something out of it. I had been pondering it for two days and your method just popped up while I was surfing! Think positive and things come to you. Thanks for sharing this. Off to fire up my forge!! Cool pattern. The NEW Damascus. We'll call it...Dickenson steel.

[@Wetkeazle]

Being a bike man and a metal head, I approve this project.

[@dylanzrim1011]

Wetkeazle I mean someone with ocd might detach and keep the good links, lol. but this is why I watch the channel. Chandler, along with codyslab and others make something out of nearly nothing..

[@prestonfisher8164]

Cody's Lab could probably live off the grid for the rest of his life.

[@drakekay6577]

WOW that is impressive. The little manufactured cylinders mounting the plates in each link of the chain are perpendicular to your hammer impact trajectory! :D

[@23chaos23]

I would love to see you do this again with what you learned from this experience. Remember no man can be faulted for trying, learning something new is in mans core nature. Well done for a first attempt.

[@kyleloew432]

nothing wrong with trying something new or taking an unknown approach and learning or figuring it out on your own, I know you said you didnt know exactly what you were trying to do with it, but ultimately you gained knowledge and experience out of it, great vid

[@Rynax-]

Great work, man. That thing turned out pretty good, love the marble pattern. I actually appreciate the longer videos, there's something meditative about the repetitive hammering, you're videos are always relaxing and informative.

[@Swordmkr]

LOL...man your great, your enthusiasm is some what bewildering. Rekindles my own passion for the art. I just cracked up when your like "I think I'm on fire?" Yeah I've been there.

[@dathvader82]

I don't know much about forging, but hell you gave it 3 hrs and that is way more than I can ever do. I like seeing this kind of stuff good job! !

[@DeceasedONE]

Man Chandler.. This was fun to watch. I always find it quite relaxing watching blacksmithing videos so I like the longer ones myself.. :D Such a lot of work but it is pretty awesome seeing what you end up with. Can not wait to see the knife.

[@JoshMoorin]

Love your videos man . Super cool seeing you turn the bike chain into a bar of solid bar.

[@lioneldoss689]

just wanted you say thank you for your time and effort (and putting it up to us to watch)!

[@dogtagx2]

Effort=A+ Determination=A+ Experience for you and ME=A+ Will of the Hard Dick Blacksmith to pound it out and not give up=A+++ it wasn't perfect, BUT....priceless in what you and I learned and how to tackle another chain in the future!! AWESOME.

[@triggerfist903]

That is a beautiful piece of steel. Can't wait to see the finished knife!

[@rickanderson7227]

Keep on doing what you're doing. I read the comments about this and that, things you "should have done" but you're learning to work with what you have and to me that's more important. Yeah you could go out and buy "proper steel" and know what you have, etc, but what happens when you don't have access to that? If all you've ever worked with is "proper steel" then you won't have the skills to make use of what may be lying around the shop/yard. I know myself, I learn more from making mistakes than I ever do from always having the "right tools and materials" and having everything go perfectly.

[@TuckerCustomShop]

Whew! Im wore out just watching all that hammerin! Fine job bro. I'd be prouder of that piece of steel that anything off the shelf. Perfect or not. Make something cool for yourself out of it. You earned it.

[@Padraigcoelfir]

God I love that stuff! You're doing things that are OUT THERE! Forge welding is really hard to accomplish, two thumbs up!

[@gandj19]

What a cool video. Its great to see you having what looked like fun. Personally for myself I think its a 100x cooler if was to buy a blacksmithed item that was actually made using a hammer and muscle power. The power hammer takes away a lot of the the reasons for buying a blacksmithed item for me at least. As for the video length, I love watching a nice feature length video. Keep up the great work and keep having fun.

[@billnott5811]

Alas finally ! Someone doing this old school and not using hydraulic hammers and presses like every other video. Most of us don't have access to those

[@treyhodkinson6811]

it turned out quite nice. if you try it again maybe use a smaller portion of chain so it is easier to work with. i think you nailed it on the head when you said cut and stack the peices for a better pattern. thank you for sharing man

[@OrionsAnvil]

Great job persevering. I think the pattern looks pretty cool. I've got some chainsaw chain that I want to do this with. Your next one will be better. Thanks for posting stuff like this.

[@bartonrobinson4266]

Just sub'd tonight when I saw this popup I said to myself, "Self"..that's going to be a good one to watch and alas, a new viewer is born to your channel. That was a very ambitious attempt, maybe not what you wanted, but hey, I like you think the etching pattern is killer. Like watching smithy work, start to whatever, I will continue and look forward to more, Thanks for getting my attention !!

[@theseeker26253]

A minor tip that may help you, heat the piece to a dull red, flux with borax and put back in the fire to continue heating. The borax will help remove some of the crud from the cracks and crevices faster and save you some time. As far as the welding goes I think you are on the right track. Love the channel, sir.

[@chandlerdickinson]

+Jeff Hatton I only mentioned it a couple times but I was fluxing between most of the welds and each of the final welds... I need all the help I can get... that reminds me I need more borax

[@theseeker26253]

Chandler Dickinson At least borax is cheap! :)

[@Slikx666]

Even if it wasn't as total success it was worth a try, and I think you did a bloody good job.

[@donervanchong4159]

Brother just 3 points: -Great little project! Absolutely Loved it! ; -Brother i do appreciate the not swearing...my boys do watch your videos with me...each to their own but I really do appreciate the effort...Thankyou Brother; -What??? New Gloves!!!😀...for a moment i did think "Where's Chandler Gone!" hahaha! 😊 ...there's something about that time and moment....Late in the day....Getting Dark...Raining Outside...I'm sure many of us have been there many times..."What can i create in my Mancave!" hehehe! Thank you Sir! 😊

[@Haze33E]

I think for a first attempt just using just a hammer and anvil, that looks pretty good. I know from experience forge welding isn't easy. If you're looking for a tool for helping with projects like this. I'd suggest looking up blueprints for a Treadle Hammer. I don't have one myself but I used one at a Tiller's International blacksmithing class while forge welding a pickaroon for myself. A Treadle Hammer is basically the poor man's power hammer. If you've got strong legs you can pretty much deal out as much force as a power hammer.

[@dylanmcandrew7904]

awesome video mate! this is what I love about your work, always trying different things. can't wait to see the knife, keep up the good work.

[@TheIronkite]

That bit you did re: learning and not charging for it... I completely agree bruthah. Discovery is hugely important.

[@maddogk196780]

From the video's I've watched, personal experience (and I have not quite mastered the technique either...lol), I have noticed three ways people do this.... one is bare metal - no flux (like you just did), 2nd is with a borax flux, and last with sand as a flux... Also I can see how easy it is done with a power hammer but personally find the old fashioned way preferable...You did a great job and should be very proud of your effort Chandler...Cheers and Peace out

[@chandlerdickinson]

+maddogk196780 I only mentioned it a couple times in the video but I used borax on this one... I typically do as I need all the help I can get...lol

[@maddogk196780]

Ok sorry I must have missed that... and I know exactly what you mean.... haha

[@silentferret1049]

One way I seen that works very well for forging the bike chain into a metal for like a 'Damascus' look is by taking the chain and slipping it into a tight fitting steel box and pour iron sand into it to fill the voids and and weld it shut with a welder. Then its just heating the box to welding temp and start forging the box and then after it should be forged nicely but you can grind or chisels the box off. Otherwise its just cutting the pins in between the links (where the sprocket goes) but still keeping the chain sides connected then weld it together then forge weld. Just going off what I seen.

[@jediarcdcobb]

Love what you're doing up there! Keep on swinging Mr. Dickinson! ~From the Natural State~

[@chads5099]

Great video man its good to see someone doing constructive on KZbin amidst all the other crazy things people use it for. I don't mind the swearing but I understand why you muted the curse words and had a disclaimer for it. Keep em coming!!

[@brewmaster0507]

nice videos, next Saturday is my 3rd blacksmithing class. really enjoying it.

[@pastel-moth-boi]

with all the sparks flying in this video, my cat thoroughly enjoyed it :D

[@billlawton6813]

I enjoy your work. I give you credit and kudos for always willing to try. I miss the crazy lady staring from behind you ha ha ha

[@569dragon]

i love the pattern, it is an unusual design. it will make a beautiful knife

[@threegoatpurse]

Very cool idea. Can't wait to see the knife.

[@jamesgolden7317]

I really like the stretch loop look in the metal. Something i think would look cool in a fantasy style blade.

[@lezenfilms]

That's some VERY high quality metal-fold it over a couple times and you have some really nice knife or razor stock.

[@joehoward2832]

well done man, im looking into blacksmithing myself. your vids help alot keep it going.

[@TheHellSpawn000]

First time I did a motor cycle chain knife I used a welder and it failed miserably don't think I got enough heat on it. second time I did a motor cycle chain forge welding I used a wire wrapping and I kept it in the fire for a good while too. motor cycle chains are a bunch of tiny pieces so they don't really like to heat evenly so flip it, you also will want it a little tightly bundled together next time this way its easier to get it into that "Bar" shape. I also found that using a ton of borax helps a lot too from start to finish then I worked from the tip down keeping the steel just under sparking temp with a 8 pound hammer, smacked it twice, flipped 90 rotate smacked it twice, rinse and repeat. then when I went to draw it out I switched to a 4 pound hammer. and when ya mess something up don't be afraid to give it a quench, smash it, stack the pieces like Ye oul Japanese sword makers and weld those, end up with some pretty patterns that way.

[@Shane-Singleton]

Sometimes you just have to experiment on shit because... why not? I really enjoyed watching this even though i'm not a smith. I think this deserves a revisit with lessons learned from this time to see if cutting it and folding it differently could come up with a better result. I am very glad to see that the links, although distorted, are plainly visible.

[@TheKlickitat]

Beautiful. The hard work will pay off.

[@gbparn]

Great vid. Chandler. I love the experimenting.

[@vladpoexx3]

i was was looking at allthe sparks when you pulled it out of the forge but i guess it could have been carbon from the forge now that i know the carbon is what makes the sparks and that answered a couple other questions i had . thanks for your videos as extremely novice blacksmith i find them very educational al

[@vladimirnachev324]

can you forge a chain from the piece of metal now

[@CutterWill]

lol

[@digitaldoom3593]

watch in reverse. ..

[@waffelmonster3049]

i thought he would do that when i saw the title. man that would be amazing! still pretty cool though.

[@hamzaspike7877]

hihihi

[@robot797]

i love the sound of the rain on your roof makes me think of holydays

[@randyemerson7740]

Thanks Chandler. I really enjoy your video's, they have been helpful.

[@mark16443]

looks good, only thing id suggest is that when you make a knife out of it do a san mai billet. if you do it this way then the imperfections in the weld wont affect the knife edge itself and would be purely cosmetic. Dont worry about losing pieces either, from what ive seen and experienced its impossible to get every link to stick. On a side note, next time maybe try cutting and stacking pieces of chain (think damascus billet) it might help eliminate some of the extra air space from where you folded the chain over in the initial billet

[@DracoOmnia]

Looking forward to seeing what becomes of this chunk of steel

[@truefarrier6644]

Grate vid. knowing how you feel with using what you have and just making somthing out of nothing. next time i would suggest cutting the cain into shorter pieces. weld them into bars then weld them together. At least works with chainsaw blades. but im no expert just what has worked for me.

[@dyrinn45]

This was awesome! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@lawrenwimberly7311]

God bless you... watchin you reminds me of self learning in the 80's... I say something at the screen, and a scene later, it's like you heard me LOLOL

[@annalog88]

Good job, as always! And I'm glad to see some new gloves :)

[@Nernbutt]

I saw a video a while ago about a guy making a knife out of fish hooks, but what he did was he basically took a shit tonne of filings and mixed them in with the hooks to get the hook patterns in an ingot. You could probably do something similar with a bike chain to fill in all those gaps between and keep the bike chain structure a good bit.

[@Zoch]

Love that you talk through the process at the same time as you working! Keep up the good work! You have a video of the finished blade ?

[@chandlerdickinson]

+Stefan Alvetjärn Not yet

[@ERL214]

It an awesome project. Maybe you know, but telling you anyway that you can make a solution of water and a lot of borax to to make it easy to weld, because it help get rid of the oil from it, and it help preventing the oxidation. I saw it in an another video, in which they weld a oiled cable. Just telling, it may be helpful in the future. But either way, that's an awesome work that you make , and thank you for sharing it with us.

[@DarkWolfeKnives]

Very cool! I think the pattern looks great! Should turn out one beautiful knife!

[@justintippett6826]

It makes me think of the ghost flame paint job you see on some cars. Very impressive work considering how much effort it took!

[@WobblycogsUk]

You should get a medal for the effort that went in that piece of steel. I like the end result though. I was wondering if it might be easier to cut the chain into lengths before you start, arrange them so that they pack together more tightly and then weld them. That would also have the advantage you could stack them up so you start with something looking a bit more bar like. I wonder if the heat would get right into the centre though. Anyway, well done, very impressive work.

[@AntuandeSadExzepury]

Shiiiiit!.. I have to learn how to properly weld steel next year! Thank you for your channel

[@Soldatsmoonsong]

It is nice to see some one do it by hand. I did notice you did not use a lot of flux to get good welds.

[@nogoodcops6557]

Do you ever switch hands or do you just have a really massive right arm?

[@nutin2new547]

very cool, keep it up man and make sure to show us that knife when your ready to build it!

[@chevyDboyMike]

who else didn't mind the rain; was very relaxing unlike music in other videos that i watch.

[@toddbrewer8215]

Great vid. In all honesty I think you could sell at least a dozen or so in the right market. Even with the extra cost of time. As you overcome the learning curve the price per knife goes down and in Stergis next summer. I could see them bringing $500 or more each.

[@glennlawrie-smith8570]

Just a dozen? He could work all year and make over 100. Then sell all of them in a weekend at Sturgis or Daytona.

[@toddbrewer8215]

I think you are right, I just would hate to see him make 100 and only sell 98. I am just going on the old marketing trick of keep the supply low and the demand will always be high.

[@flashgordon7682]

+todd Brewer Only a Yank would attempt to make a knife out of a chain..................but hey that isnt as fuckwitted as trying to make a motorcycle frame out of chain......................lol

[@masonrichardson9075]

+Flash Gordon What was any of that?

[@RickRabjohn]

Great video as always and I learned a lot - thanks for sharing!

[@austincornwell6997]

i've watched a few videos and have found that car battery acid 30% ratio at a low heat somewhere around 100 degrees to 110 makes a better etch than the ferric acid, could be worth a shot. ps the heat is mostly for a faster etch.

[@staccio80]

I'm in process to make a little 20t press...first thing i Whant to try forge...Tanks 4 tips!

[@texoma_outdoors]

chain can be forged into excellent bar stock for blades. usually these days a smith would used a power hammer as it takes a lot of pounding and keeping the work up at a welding temp. no real way to keep the original pattern but etching the blade when finished will give a"damascus" pattern.

[@sithyarael6807]

Interesting video. Only thing I see with using bike chain is all the different metals in it. There is steel, aluminum, and other metals. Granted final product would look great although how well it holds up is debatable. Not talking about the cost vs the work if it is USA Made from a bike chain from US made bike people will pay the price for clutch and break levers. I remember going to Silver Dollar City in Branson (12+ years ago) and watched a guy make a knife out of barbed wire and the pattern out of it was just beautiful and used the same process you did in this video.

[@willerama]

I like your experimental nature man! keep it up

[@RedStefan]

awesome man it turned out better than I thought cool pattern too. Wonder what the knife will look like.

[@monkeythe1st]

Think you're a little harsh on yourself, I think it was some fantastic work considering it was your first time welding chain. Love to see you give it another go and see the finished knife.

[@jakehenry2133]

never thought I 'd sée it,lol,thought ya wooda had to liquify that chain to get all the air out,n,impurities, one heck of a job tho,,that steel has potential, an a great pattern,to bad you lost so much material in the process,a diamond in the rough,lol,awesome work man,peace!

[@dramaends]

what about instead of that bath mat looking wrap you started with instead start with it long, maybe just doubled, weld that together then double that around weld that together and repeat?

[@trentszeponski1394]

Thank you for your unique videos teacher and I love the rain WooooHoooh! The best teachers make all the right mistakes. I don't know what I'm saying but miss-hit is where your learning. I would like to see a redo without a press. Take a 4 pound hammer mounted to a spring and strike it with the same weight hammer to double the power. Looking at the thumbnail for the video, you could have welded around the whole edge of the chain to keep it all.

[@Kiddeth]

I like that a lot looks really cool. wish I had a place to operate a forge

[@cfexrun]

That looks pretty damned cool. I'm always surprised how much patterning like that will come through on a piece.

[@jeffmedina43]

Ive done this,Ive also used chainsaw chain to make a billet for knife making.Actually,its good quality steel.I use borax as my flux when doing the forge welding

[@kgibbs151]

J Med Hello im kind of new to metal work and was thinking about giving this a try. i know it seems difficult but those things are usually easier for me. any way i was wondering how the finished product turned out with motorcycle chain and chainsaw chain because i have access to both. do they hold a good edge? and if you did what was your hardening procedure?

[@jeffmedina43]

Chainsaw chain knives sometimes have a different colored pattern in the steel,because some chainsaw chain today has lightly chrome plated parts.As far as holding an edge,the ones Ive made have stayed sharper longer than a store bought blade.Since the chain is made so durable,it makes a pretty durable blade.I do a double quench in oil.That hardens the blade anough to make it very strong,but not brittle.Either type of chain is good quality steel.Just make sure upon starting out that the chain is welded properly,and you shouldn't have problems.The man in the video did his forging very well.With forging chain,the patterns are different every time.Thats what makes it a good medium to forge with.The different patterns.Since your sort of new to it take your time do research into different forging methods and do what works for you.youtube is a good resource for information

[@Andrewmackinnonripp]

Forgive my ignorance, but could you have used your bench vice to compress the chain together? In theory, it would work the same way as a hydraulic press, but manually.

[@PlAsKusJ3GaRn]

+Andrew MacKinnon A hydraulic press, press for tons more than what a 50-60 kg do. Even if he drops it on the metall it's still more work to lift it up and drop it.

[@chandlerdickinson]

+Andrew MacKinnon I does to a minor degree but what happens is you get cooling very quickly and can only move the steel for a portion of a second... I have done this on other smaller pieces but it is usually frustrating and ineffective...

[@drolsisusej100]

Another great one ' thanks for the journey !! keep em coming

[@nathancampbell850]

Thats awesome I never could have done that. Great Job!

[@tek4]

I love the idea, and I think I saw it under demaskis steel chain.. But dude, its looking slick. I really enjoyed the longer vid too :0

[@kylebates3627]

awesome test man! In the future, cut it into strips, weld it like normal and make a flux slurry and start forge welding it like normal.

[@Knifeguy0]

Make laminated blade with that on the sides. It will look really awesome.

[@agentx250]

As I was watching this I couldn't help but wonder if using a heavier hammer wouldn't have saved some of the material. It seemed to me that more striking inertia would have given the needed force to weld the links together. Granted, I know nothing about forging/smithing so I could very well be way off base.

[@ronb5781]

Great idea and video, thanks for sharing. !!

[@ludi2shoes]

Dude I would so love to see your next project to be a power hammer. You built your grinder. I know you can build a power hammer.

[@faolan1686]

You can get a 12 ton manual hydraulic press on ebay for $150 if you're interested.