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Bicycle Chains
Thinking about melting wax for my fire starters reminded me of a bicycle trick for anyone who rides.
Instead of using a grease,lube or spray on youre bikes chain.Wax it instead.
What you will need is: a chain link tool, dental floss, canning wax,# 10 can,a chop stick and vise grips.
First using youre chain link tool drive out a link just enough to seperate the chain.DO NOT drive the link all the way out, its a pain to put back.
Now that you have a long strait chain tie a piece of dental floss through the eye of one of the open links...This will be used to hang the chain to cool after the wax bath.
Heat up some wax in the #10 can.I do this ove the stove.Use a low heat and slowly heat the wax.If it starts to smoke turn the burner off.Wait for the smoke to clear and re-heat until the wax is a liquid.
Now place youre chain in the wax and stir it around with the chop stick,working the links the best you can.
Using the vise grips as a can holder take the can with hot wax and chain outside.Remove the chain by the dental floss and hang until cold.
All you have to do now is work the links to free up the wax and put it back on the bike.Now that youre chain is waxed you will not get youre hands or pant leg all greased up when riding or changing a flat.Another good thing is you dont have to wory about rust.I do this once a summer and Im good to go.
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Joe - I think that's a pretty slick idea. It should also work on many other chain drive items. Great thinking!
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Another tidbit to file away for a rainy day. Thanks Stargazer.
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I wonder if dipping in wax like I do my spring traps would work?
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