When adding chain and swivel, is it best to use a vise? Or hammer them? I’m almost worried I’m gonna tear the vise off the workbench. Also what is best to attach chain to earth anchor, I had been using quick links but now I’m considering those heavy duty split rings.
Before you mention welding, I don’t have that ability…
Thanks all

Hamming them is fine, just don't squish the hook completely, you want that chain link to have some movement

A set of j-hook pliers. Not expensive, and make a good circle on the j hook

Fencing pliers work good. I also use my vice to attach swivels. Eric

X 2

A vise grip can be used too. just don't mash the J-Hook. That's all I used on J-Hooks for years until I broke down and bought a set of j_Hook pliers. They are really handy for opening J-hooks too. I carry a pair in my trapping bag.

This is the way to go.

I buy heavy duty j hooks I wonder if I’m strong enough to work the pliers! I always bought heavy duty ones simply because I don’t weld

Water pump pliers work for me, even on the heavy duty ones.

Channel lock? Is that the same thing cause we have those

I use a big pair of channel locks to close j hooks. Some day I'll buy the right tool.

Yes and the bigger the better.

Use 8 1/2 inch channel locks to close mine. I also use side cutters to open them.

Yep, I grew up calling them water pump pliers and was probably in high school before I found out their official name was channel locks. Either those or fencing pliers work well. I weld every j hook and connection on all my traps, but we have big critters here that can open them up. You may not have wolves or lions, but if you ever pinch a bear you are liable to be missing a trap. Of course you won't have to deal with releasing it that way.

I'm assuming you are using the quick links to attach to the end of the cable or chain on the earth anchor, not to the earth anchor itself. I've never used the split rings, so can't say how they work, but I use 1/4" quick links a lot to attach traps to various types of anchors and have never had them fail regardless of what size critter I've caught. As long as you have a 10mm wrench or a pair of pliers I've found them to be handy and easy to use.

Most of the time I just use the vise but evidently mine is more securely fastened, one option if you do want them joined use JB weld it’s an epoxy, but if you use it you’ll need something to cut the jhook off.

J-hook pliers and then maybe a tap on with a hammer on the anvil to close the loop completely, seems like grass gets wound up in them even more if the loop isn't closed completely. I have went to using the heavy duty split rings quite a bit. On coyotes and bobcats I have never lost a critter due to their failure. Leave your loop on the end of a earth anchor large enough to get a pick (pick as digging dirt tool) into it. I can loosen the ground a bit with the blade side, hook the loop and pop the anchor right out of the ground. If you try to use the split ring as your pick attachment point it stretches them out of shape.

Sure you have the ability you just have to apply yourself it's easy.

STAY AWAY FROM THE SPLIT RINGS. There are 2 different grades of them, one is really soft and will open up when you go to pull them, and you won't know what one you have.
Do any of your clients or neighbors, friends weld, or have a welder at home? Maybe you could ask around. A ½" lock washer works well for that. It doesn't take much more than a good tack.

Technically they are tongue and groove pliers. They were developed by an engineer working for Champion-DeArment Tool Company. The company named them Channellocks and later patented that name and changed the company name to Channellock Inc.

Channellock is headquartered right here in PA.

I learned this the hard way. Ripped a number of them apart when pulling up. I still use them attaching cable to drags and other things but never on my anchors

j hook pliers fast and easy on the hands.