Actual data for the chain cleaning debate

In article , dvt writes:

First, if the chain were accidentally switched
in midstream (i.e. at the 10/23/03 measuring),

Did not happen.

Tom Gibb

In article ,
(Carl Fogel) writes:

But another explanation is that the measurements were
inherently inaccurate--a used chain will always be
longer after cleaning because the solvent removes most
of the minute layer of gritty lubricant between the pins
and rollers.

Every measurment was made after cleaning.

Tom Gibb

In article , Werehatrack
writes:

Fourth, if the solvent was not drying out
completely before the oil was applied, the solvent may have reduced
the lube's effectiveness.

This could be a factor. The chain had at lest an hour to dry, but the paint
thinner I was using doesn't evaporate very quickly. Still, it seemed dry to
me.

Tom Gibb

In article ,
(Art Harris) writes:

This data indicates that NOT washing the chain in solvent doubles
chain life. How do you explain that? Chain "stretch" is caused by wear
on the pins. Washing in solvent should remove internal grit better
than scrubbing with a toothbrush, and therefore result in longer life.

That's what I thought and was acting on for years.

Are you sure you didn't mislabel the two chain halves? Also, just out
of curiosity, did you leave the original packing grease on when the
chain was installed?

As it happens the "washed" half was a link longer than the "unwashed" one, so
no I did not mislabel them.

I left the original grease in place. As far as I know there was still some in
the "unwashed" half, which might be why it did better.

Tom Gibb

In article k.net, "Steven M.
Scharf" writes:

If you want to get the chain really, really clean, then put it repeatedly
through a chain cleaner with fresh non-water based solvent, until the
solvent is clean; simply soaking it in solvent does little, you want the
links in motion as they pass through the solvent. Then soak it in chain saw
oil or spray with motorcycle chain lube.

"4. Clean one section (called "washed") by thrashing it in paint thinner,
changing the thinner until there is a clean wash. "

Tom Gibb

In article , Derk
writes:

TBGibb wrote:be very careful to measure often.

The presence of my wife Susan (an unbiased observer) in this was
essential,
She must love you very much ;-)


She does even after 32 years of marriage, four kids and inummerable soccer
(European football) games.

Tom Gibb

TBGibb wrote:
: and inummerable soccer (European football) games.

i'm confused -- with her? is this a euphemism for something? like playing
frisbee golf?
--
david reuteler

On 07 Jan 2004 01:26:07 GMT, (TBGibb) may have said:

In article , Werehatrack
writes:

Fourth, if the solvent was not drying out
completely before the oil was applied, the solvent may have reduced
the lube's effectiveness.

This could be a factor. The chain had at lest an hour to dry, but the paint
thinner I was using doesn't evaporate very quickly. Still, it seemed dry to
me.

At the very least, you've provided some valuable direct comparison
even if it ended up being potentially multivariate in one or more
respects. Good job; it's actually quite common for such a first test
to end up both having unexpected variances and unexpected results.

Meanwhile, I am relieved to note that the two chains that I most
recently installed have not been solvent-cleaned...and now, I intend
to ensure that they stay that way. Your test's results may not be
100% conclusive, but they added to the information available in a
valuable manner.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something,
it's also possible that I'm busy.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On 6 Jan 2004 06:02:40 -0800, (Art Harris) wrote:

Are you sure you didn't mislabel the two chain halves? Also, just out
of curiosity, did you leave the original packing grease on when the
chain was installed?

Sometimes new data is hard to accept and I am suspect. It's difficult
to believe that dirty oil works better than clean oil.

If the solvent in the cleaned chain is not adequately removed, than
re-oiling will not be as effective.

In article , David Reuteler
writes:

i'm confused -- with her? is this a euphemism for something? like playing
frisbee golf?

The kids played the game, competitively. Have you ever heard the title "soccer
Mom"?

Tom Gibb