Does anyone know of a good source for anchor chain in long lenghts? I need 200+ feet of 5/16 High test. West Marine sells for about $4.50 a foot. That is $900 plus tax... yikes!
Source for Chain
- Thread starter Liam
- Start date
- Status
Look in your local yellow pages under "Chains" and it will list the lifting suppliers. They will have a variety of lifting chain available, ie size, steel vs. stainless steel, lifting ability, and connectors. They are usually very helpful. Another source would be McMaster-Carr.com
Defender
The best price I've found online so far is from Defender. 5/16" hi-test galvanized is currently advertised at $2.74/ft.
The best price I've found online so far is from Defender. 5/16" hi-test galvanized is currently advertised at $2.74/ft.
Follow Rick's lead.
Galvanized/stainless chain doesn't have to be "marine" in order to work. Look at the Yellow Pages for chain suppliers. If you were to buy online, the shipping charges will kill you.
Galvanized/stainless chain doesn't have to be "marine" in order to work. Look at the Yellow Pages for chain suppliers. If you were to buy online, the shipping charges will kill you.
Based on Eric's reply
Take the best price you can find, print it out and walk into West Marine and ask them to match the price. I've done it several times and they have always matched the price. Jim S/V Java
Take the best price you can find, print it out and walk into West Marine and ask them to match the price. I've done it several times and they have always matched the price. Jim S/V Java
Price check
just bought some at the local WM store - price was $3.75 discounted from 3.99/ft. Couldn't find it any cheaper unless I paid shipping. Don
just bought some at the local WM store - price was $3.75 discounted from 3.99/ft. Couldn't find it any cheaper unless I paid shipping. Don
Best price
Go to 1st-chainsupply.com They have Acco 5/16BBB for $2.37 foot if you buy 1/2 drum (275'). Free delivery to business address in continental US. Extra $135 for residential delivery.
Go to 1st-chainsupply.com They have Acco 5/16BBB for $2.37 foot if you buy 1/2 drum (275'). Free delivery to business address in continental US. Extra $135 for residential delivery.
McMaster Prices
Just curious regarding coamparing chain. I had a hard timne comparing "apples to apples" based on the grades listed at McMaster. And what I though would be comparable appeared to be 2-3x the price. Am I missing something? Tom
Just curious regarding coamparing chain. I had a hard timne comparing "apples to apples" based on the grades listed at McMaster. And what I though would be comparable appeared to be 2-3x the price. Am I missing something? Tom
Shipping
It's the shipping that will kill you, mail order. And WM's new price matching policy takes shipping into account. I suspect that chain is best purchased locally.
It's the shipping that will kill you, mail order. And WM's new price matching policy takes shipping into account. I suspect that chain is best purchased locally.
Make Sure it Fits Gypsy
With that much chain I'm sure you have a windlass so it'd be a good idea to make sure the chain fit the gypsy before it was shipped. I've heard stories about gypsy chain-fit problems and that could get messy and expensive. Just a suggestion.
With that much chain I'm sure you have a windlass so it'd be a good idea to make sure the chain fit the gypsy before it was shipped. I've heard stories about gypsy chain-fit problems and that could get messy and expensive. Just a suggestion.
Phil is correct
Most of the sources that I have found charge almost as much for the freight as for the product. I found 5/16 hot dip galvanized BBB at Home Depot in 92 foot pails for about $150. Same working load and breaking strength as chain from the "marine supply stores". Maybe I will join two lenghts with a swivel. Anyone have an opinion on doing that?
Most of the sources that I have found charge almost as much for the freight as for the product. I found 5/16 hot dip galvanized BBB at Home Depot in 92 foot pails for about $150. Same working load and breaking strength as chain from the "marine supply stores". Maybe I will join two lenghts with a swivel. Anyone have an opinion on doing that?
Buy Wholesale if you can
The only real way to save money is if you can buy wholesale from the wholesale distributor in either a half drum or a full drum quantity. You can ask around the marina and see if anyone else wants to split a full drum, or part of a drum. Both West Marine and Defender are retail outlets that sell the same 5/16 G4 High-Test chain from ACCO chain. On the Defender website they sell a half drum of 5/16 G4 High-Test, which is 275 feet, for less then the per foot price. The caveat is that they will have the wholesale distributor ship it directly to you; they are only the middlemen in the transaction. The shipper charges less when he delivers to a commercial business, because the local business will have a forklift to remove the drum from a flatbed truck. If they know that it is shipped to a residence, they will charge more because they have to use a truck with a hydraulic tailgate to off load the drum; a half a drum weights 302 pounds. If look at the ACCO chain website, they list three wholesale distributors in California. You can give them a call and see if they will sell you a half drum of 5/16 G4 High-Test chain. If they are close by, you can drive your pickup truck and pick it up yourself. They might not load the drum into your pickup truck, but as long as they place the drum next you your truck you can load the chain by hand into the bed of your truck. When you get to the dock, you will have to use a hand truck or a heavy duty cart and the empty drum to load the chain from the bed of your truck back into the drum to get it to your boat. I'm seen guys try to use the dinky dock carts with the cheap wheels; before they can fully load all of the chain into the cart, the cheap wheels break. Fair Winds, Clyde http://www.accochain.com/distribute.html#california
The only real way to save money is if you can buy wholesale from the wholesale distributor in either a half drum or a full drum quantity. You can ask around the marina and see if anyone else wants to split a full drum, or part of a drum. Both West Marine and Defender are retail outlets that sell the same 5/16 G4 High-Test chain from ACCO chain. On the Defender website they sell a half drum of 5/16 G4 High-Test, which is 275 feet, for less then the per foot price. The caveat is that they will have the wholesale distributor ship it directly to you; they are only the middlemen in the transaction. The shipper charges less when he delivers to a commercial business, because the local business will have a forklift to remove the drum from a flatbed truck. If they know that it is shipped to a residence, they will charge more because they have to use a truck with a hydraulic tailgate to off load the drum; a half a drum weights 302 pounds. If look at the ACCO chain website, they list three wholesale distributors in California. You can give them a call and see if they will sell you a half drum of 5/16 G4 High-Test chain. If they are close by, you can drive your pickup truck and pick it up yourself. They might not load the drum into your pickup truck, but as long as they place the drum next you your truck you can load the chain by hand into the bed of your truck. When you get to the dock, you will have to use a hand truck or a heavy duty cart and the empty drum to load the chain from the bed of your truck back into the drum to get it to your boat. I'm seen guys try to use the dinky dock carts with the cheap wheels; before they can fully load all of the chain into the cart, the cheap wheels break. Fair Winds, Clyde http://www.accochain.com/distribute.html#california
Not All Chain The Same
Not all chain, like for a given size, and shackles are the same - that is, the same strength! This calls for a short story. Several years ago I was in a hardware store (that dates me, eh?) to buy a pair of Vice Grips. You know, the adjustable pliers type with the knurled thumb screw on the end that locks when you can clamp down on something really tight. Anyway, there was the "made in Milwaukee" (or where ever) brand and near the checkout there was a 3-pack of the "same" thing (a baby one, a mama one, and a daddy one) made in Taiwan (this was before made in China). Price - the 3-pack was CHEAPER than the American made one. What to do? Three for less than the price of one. The UAW was on strike against Ford or GM and Honda was selling cars to the highest bidder. Hmmmm, tough decision here so closer examination is required. The Taiwan "mama" one was EXACTLY like the American made Vice Grip - right down to the dimples in the casting. Everything was EXACTLY the same - rivets, jaw teeth, thickness, you name it. And the bright nickel-plating made it look good. Soooo.... out the door I went with the look-alike. Meanwhile, about an hour later I went to use the mama one and while I was getting the jaw properly adjusted with the thumb screw.... the jaw just FELL OFF!! I didn't even get a chance to tighten it - and plunk! What went wrong? First off, I'd say my mistake in trusting they were of the same quality because they LOOKED identical. Secondly, the manufacturer of the imported item didn't have a quality testing in place to ensure the product would work as required. Fast forward a couple decades: Here I am in the chandlery looking for a shackle for my ground tackle. There is one on the peg board hook for $3.95 - made in .... China. Do you think I'm going to buy it? NOT ON YOUR LIFE! (or mine either!) Ditto for the chain. If the shackle or chain or any other gear in the ground tackle system doesn't come from a reputable manufacturer that can be known to have a good manufacturing reputation and testing program it's not going on my boat. Saving a buck when there's so much at stake isn't worth it. When things get rough you want to know the important items that protect your life can be trusted. Go to the ACCO http://www.accochain.com/ or Campbell chain http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/campbell/index.cfm web sites and see what what they have to say. It used to be that riggers used load-rated gear that was tested according to the use and I would hope they still do. So my recommendation would be to make sure that what ever you get for your ground tackle system can be really trusted to keep you, your crew, and your boat safe and don't sweat a buck doing it. whew! Hope this helps.
Not all chain, like for a given size, and shackles are the same - that is, the same strength! This calls for a short story. Several years ago I was in a hardware store (that dates me, eh?) to buy a pair of Vice Grips. You know, the adjustable pliers type with the knurled thumb screw on the end that locks when you can clamp down on something really tight. Anyway, there was the "made in Milwaukee" (or where ever) brand and near the checkout there was a 3-pack of the "same" thing (a baby one, a mama one, and a daddy one) made in Taiwan (this was before made in China). Price - the 3-pack was CHEAPER than the American made one. What to do? Three for less than the price of one. The UAW was on strike against Ford or GM and Honda was selling cars to the highest bidder. Hmmmm, tough decision here so closer examination is required. The Taiwan "mama" one was EXACTLY like the American made Vice Grip - right down to the dimples in the casting. Everything was EXACTLY the same - rivets, jaw teeth, thickness, you name it. And the bright nickel-plating made it look good. Soooo.... out the door I went with the look-alike. Meanwhile, about an hour later I went to use the mama one and while I was getting the jaw properly adjusted with the thumb screw.... the jaw just FELL OFF!! I didn't even get a chance to tighten it - and plunk! What went wrong? First off, I'd say my mistake in trusting they were of the same quality because they LOOKED identical. Secondly, the manufacturer of the imported item didn't have a quality testing in place to ensure the product would work as required. Fast forward a couple decades: Here I am in the chandlery looking for a shackle for my ground tackle. There is one on the peg board hook for $3.95 - made in .... China. Do you think I'm going to buy it? NOT ON YOUR LIFE! (or mine either!) Ditto for the chain. If the shackle or chain or any other gear in the ground tackle system doesn't come from a reputable manufacturer that can be known to have a good manufacturing reputation and testing program it's not going on my boat. Saving a buck when there's so much at stake isn't worth it. When things get rough you want to know the important items that protect your life can be trusted. Go to the ACCO http://www.accochain.com/ or Campbell chain http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/campbell/index.cfm web sites and see what what they have to say. It used to be that riggers used load-rated gear that was tested according to the use and I would hope they still do. So my recommendation would be to make sure that what ever you get for your ground tackle system can be really trusted to keep you, your crew, and your boat safe and don't sweat a buck doing it. whew! Hope this helps.
WM shipping
If WM carries the chain as a warehouse item, they ship it to your local store no charge (its their truck). The local store should have a forklift that can put it on your vehicle, or you may have to hand it into several sections to lift it on. Its only when they 'special order' it as a non-stocked item from the vendor that freight charges happen. They match the price, and...you get the Advantage rebate points as a further 'discount'.
If WM carries the chain as a warehouse item, they ship it to your local store no charge (its their truck). The local store should have a forklift that can put it on your vehicle, or you may have to hand it into several sections to lift it on. Its only when they 'special order' it as a non-stocked item from the vendor that freight charges happen. They match the price, and...you get the Advantage rebate points as a further 'discount'.
Fleet Farm
Don't forget to check you local Fleet Farm or other farm supply store. Ours sells a variety of chains.
Don't forget to check you local Fleet Farm or other farm supply store. Ours sells a variety of chains.
I have the same issues...........
in san diego with WM and their chain price. These some good info listed here. But as you all mention the shipping is a killer.
in san diego with WM and their chain price. These some good info listed here. But as you all mention the shipping is a killer.
Phil H is right.. I just talked to the manager
of my local WM. I was upfront and told him what I could by the chain for, but the freight was expensive. He was very close to matching my price, so I bought if from him.
of my local WM. I was upfront and told him what I could by the chain for, but the freight was expensive. He was very close to matching my price, so I bought if from him.
JSI in Florida
What timing, JSI in Florida has 5/16 HT chain for sale at 1.99 a foot and a special on shipping charges. I can pick mine up, I am close enough. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
What timing, JSI in Florida has 5/16 HT chain for sale at 1.99 a foot and a special on shipping charges. I can pick mine up, I am close enough. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Re-hot dip the old stuff?
A little off the subject but, would it be detrimental to the strength of the chain to re-dip the old stuff? Granted, if it is chaffed enough to wear off the original layer of galvanization...you've probably lost some strength already.....but it might eliminate some rust stains where ever it lays for a while. I'm under the impression that the temperatures involved in the plating process were in the 700-800 degree range...and if that was the case, wouldn't that affect the 'new' chain as well? Plating costs on new structural steel here are comparable with a couple of coats of industrial epoxy....not that much compared with the cost of new chain. Thoughts are appreciate from anyone that really knows.
A little off the subject but, would it be detrimental to the strength of the chain to re-dip the old stuff? Granted, if it is chaffed enough to wear off the original layer of galvanization...you've probably lost some strength already.....but it might eliminate some rust stains where ever it lays for a while. I'm under the impression that the temperatures involved in the plating process were in the 700-800 degree range...and if that was the case, wouldn't that affect the 'new' chain as well? Plating costs on new structural steel here are comparable with a couple of coats of industrial epoxy....not that much compared with the cost of new chain. Thoughts are appreciate from anyone that really knows.
- Status