[Mgs] watch your chains

[Paul Hunt]

Surely this type of chain is *not* suitable for lifting?  From the name 
'proof coil' I imagined samples had been tested by a proof test house and 
warranted to carry a certain load.

As far as examination goes it's why straps or even ropes are better than 
chains for home use.  I realise chains are used commercially but then they 
are periodically tested.  A chain only needs one weak link to fail suddenly 
and totally, a rope or strap has very many fibres or strands and many can 
break before it becomes unsafe, and are easy to spot.  It's why 
lifts/elevators use multiple stranded wire cables, at the safety inspections 
a sample length is measured off and the number of broken strands counted. 
When they reach a certain number the cable is replaced (next time you are in 
one imagine all those broken strands above you ...).

----- Original Message ----- 
> PROOF COIL, known also as Common Coil chain, is the standard
> commercial quality regularly stocked by hardware and industrial
> supply houses.  It is a general purpose chain for pulling or
> restraining applications requiring neither a maximum of tensile nor
> impact strength.  It is commonly used for log chains and towing.
>
> So I guess it really isn't anything special.