| 
 
 
 
Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
 #6229427
 04/29/18 11:24 AM
04/29/18 11:24 AM
 | 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011
 williams,mn
trapper les
 
OP 
trapper
 | 
 
  
OP 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011 
williams,mn
 | 
 Any preferences ? I don't have a trap with twist link on it. I'd like some opinions for the future . 
 
  
  "Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6229507
 04/29/18 01:16 PM
04/29/18 01:16 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011
 williams,mn
trapper les
 
OP 
trapper
 | 
 
  
OP 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011 
williams,mn
 | 
I am talking about Twisted (kinkless welded). Not twin loop. 
Last edited by trapper les; 04/29/18 06:27 PM.
 
 
  
  "Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6229729
 04/29/18 07:23 PM
04/29/18 07:23 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Apr 2014
 MO
cfowler
 
 
trapper
 | 
 
  
 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Apr 2014 
MO
 | 
I have traps with both, but I don't see an advantage with either. I like the looks of twist link, especially on 3N's, couldn't tell ya why though. A foot of #3 twist link is heavier than #3 machine chain. That could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the situation. I pick up cheap chain and pieces at yard sales and auctions when I can. 
 
  
I trap for fun. I skin 'em for the money! Grinners For Life-Lifetime Member, MO Chapter, Den #1 ~You Grin, You're In~
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: Boone Liane]
 #6230282
 04/30/18 07:18 PM
04/30/18 07:18 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Apr 2014
 MO
cfowler
 
 
trapper
 | 
 
  
 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Apr 2014 
MO
 | 
Cool looks don’t kill coyotes. If they did, I’d have killed em all!     Funny right there!  
 
  
I trap for fun. I skin 'em for the money! Grinners For Life-Lifetime Member, MO Chapter, Den #1 ~You Grin, You're In~
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: Boone Liane]
 #6230433
 04/30/18 10:08 PM
04/30/18 10:08 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011
 williams,mn
trapper les
 
OP 
trapper
 | 
 
  
OP 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011 
williams,mn
 | 
Cool looks don’t kill coyotes. If they did, I’d have killed em all!     So...twist link is your preference ? lol  
 
  
  "Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6230732
 05/01/18 01:04 PM
05/01/18 01:04 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Dec 2006
 Ames, IA
MikeTraps2
 
 
trapper
 | 
 
  
 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Dec 2006 
Ames, IA
 | 
I use tire chains for my coyote traps, they are super hard and cheap if you get them at auctions or yard sales 
 
  
Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure 
  Theodore Roosevelt
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6230787
 05/01/18 02:38 PM
05/01/18 02:38 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Jan 2007
 Montana
Taximan
 
 
trapper
 | 
 
  
 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Jan 2007 
Montana
 | 
One thing to consider if you plan to use twist link,is that due to the twist,there is less space inside the link.A J hook will fit through there but you will probably have to open up an end link to get a quick link through.If you look at 3N's and Newhouses with kinkless chain,there is a round,welded ring connecting the chain to the swivel.
  I usually put the end link in the vice and use a screwdriver to take the twist out of that link.I then tap on the top of the link to make it open more.You have to make sure the weld isn't cracked,after doing this.If it does,cut it off and repeat.Thirty years ago,the welds rarely cracked.With today's chain,occasionally I work one that does.
  I've used a drift pin to open links but with today's chain,I get more cracked welds so I quit using it.It might have worked better on old chain. 
 
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6231011
 05/01/18 08:01 PM
05/01/18 08:01 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Feb 2016
 Kentucky
ky_coyote_hunter
 
 
trapper
 | 
 
  
 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Feb 2016 
Kentucky
 | 
The twist link packs with mud more than the straight link IMO, and it's a little harder to clean. 
 
  
Member  -  FTA
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6231295
 05/02/18 06:32 AM
05/02/18 06:32 AM
 | 
 
Joined:  Jan 2009
 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
 
 
"On The Other Hand"
 | 
 
  
 
"On The Other Hand" 
 
Joined:  Jan 2009 
Idaho, Lemhi County
 | 
Straight-link, not twist-link. 
  I've converted all my wolf foot-holds to straight-link. No galvanized, stainless, or nickel-plated, so it will take a rust and a dye the same as my traps. The straight-link is stronger (tensile) than comparable-size twist-link, and in summer trapping where I catch lions, black bears, and possibilities of grizzlies, I want the chains strong. Also, the twist-link seems to pack more mud, so every time I boil and clean (deodorize) my gear, my boiling pot partially fills with glop when using twist-link. 
  Just my opinion, after many years of trying both types of chain. 
  Jack 
 
  
 Books for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble  etc.         Poetic Injustice          The Last Hunt         Wild Life         Long Way Home            Fishin' Stories 
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6232059
 05/02/18 11:24 PM
05/02/18 11:24 PM
 | 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011
 williams,mn
trapper les
 
OP 
trapper
 | 
 
  
OP 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Mar 2011 
williams,mn
 | 
I appreciate all the thoughtful comments . 
 
  
  "Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
Re: Chain, Machine or Twist link ?
[Re: trapper les]
 #6232123
 05/03/18 05:37 AM
05/03/18 05:37 AM
 | 
 
Joined:  Aug 2013
 Louisville, Nebraska
jabNE
 
 
trapper
 | 
 
  
 
trapper 
 
Joined:  Aug 2013 
Louisville, Nebraska
 | 
I love how twist link flows and folds in nicely to a bed, but it does have some disadvantages over straight link. For one, the gaps in twist link are narrower and some rivets or quicklinks won't fit well through the links. It's really noticeable on #2 twist link, larger rivets and j-hook don't fit very easily in the links unless you widen them a little and that may weaken the welds. See in these pics of my #2 longs with short length of #2 twist link between swivels? I actually had to widen the end links to accept the j-hook for swivels, seriously. Larger #3 twist link no problem but #2 twist link it's a little tight in the link gaps. I'm a fan of both but yes straight link is preferable to me these days too. Either one is light years better than non-welded twin loop you get on some traps standard off the shelf these days. Jim   
 
  
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
 |  
 
 | 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
 
 |  
 
 |