Making Chain, Storage Solution.

[Emiliano Achaval]

I buy Oregon chain loop and make my chain for all my saws and my 3 Granberg Alaskan sawmills. To make it fit into a large flat rate box, the people at Frawley's smash and step on the cardboard reel. In all the years that I have been making loops, I never had a problem like today. The cardboard reel collapsed, spilling chain all over. It took hours to fix the mess. I wrapped the chain in a piece of 2 by 4. I wonder if anybody has any other ways of storing chain loop. I think that I know a guy that has a lathe and could turn a wooden reel. I would then transfer the chain right away to the solid reel. A great solution would be to be able to mount the reel on the wall, being able to dispense the chain by turning it, simply pulling on it.

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

Not sure how much chain you have and how big of a reel you would need. I am an electrician and if you check with an electrical contractor they should be able to get one to fit your needs.

 

[Brian Gustin]

Try shopping at Bailey's instead, they do have a discount brand of saw chain that is actually pretty good - Forester - as well as much other forestry supplies... (baileysonline.com) I used to buy from them (bulk orders) when they were "Wholesale Only" providers to dealerships ($500 minimum orders) but once they started selling to the general public by their catalogs (meaning our biggest customers, which were local loggers), we quit carrying their products.. I am rather sure they probably wouldn't be sending you smashed-up product in flat rate USPS boxes (the reels were meant to actually dispense the chain - they have reel holders for the purpose so the reel sits at an angle to the bench as you pull chain out to the breaker/spinner)

 

[Tim Tucker]

Emiliano- Have you considered a garden hose reel? I am trying to visualize how that may work for you...?

 

[Earl McLain]

Try shopping at Bailey's instead, they do have a discount brand of saw chain that is actually pretty good - Forester - as well as much other forestry supplies... (baileysonline.com) I used to buy from them (bulk orders) when they were "Wholesale Only" providers to dealerships ($500 minimum orders) but once they started selling to the general public by their catalogs (meaning our biggest customers, which were local loggers), we quit carrying their products.. I am rather sure they probably wouldn't be sending you smashed-up product in flat rate USPS boxes (the reels were meant to actually dispense the chain - they have reel holders for the purpose so the reel sits at an angle to the bench as you pull chain out to the breaker/spinner)

I've yet to visit Hawaii, but USPS flat rate shipping has to be one of the few affordable methods to ship to there and Alaska (maybe US Virgin Islands, etc. as well). With the USPS being a quasi-governmental agency, they have to treat taxpayers on fairly even footing (sometimes maybe not a good thing--but at least a thing!!). The brown, white & yellow trucks can be more flexible in pricing and report to shareholders instead of Congress.
Our Hawaiian Brothers and Sisters are, i am sure, much more familiar than i am!!
earl

 

[Bill Boehme]

I was once the middleman for Emiliano because a merchant wouldn't ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands (an unintended consequence of the outdated Jones Act of 1920). Apparently, there are still some merchants that don't know the USPS ships to all US States and territories). So, I became Emiliano's surrogate in Texas and put his order in a flat rate box bound for Maui. FWIW, I didn't stomp it flat before putting it in the box.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Try shopping at Bailey's instead, they do have a discount brand of saw chain that is actually pretty good - Forester - as well as much other forestry supplies... (baileysonline.com) I used to buy from them (bulk orders) when they were "Wholesale Only" providers to dealerships ($500 minimum orders) but once they started selling to the general public by their catalogs (meaning our biggest customers, which were local loggers), we quit carrying their products.. I am rather sure they probably wouldn't be sending you smashed-up product in flat rate USPS boxes (the reels were meant to actually dispense the chain - they have reel holders for the purpose so the reel sits at an angle to the bench as you pull chain out to the breaker/spinner)

I used to be a Baileys customer for many years. Now, they have changed their shipping policy. Crazy prices, and they won't use USPS. A reel holder that makes sense!

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I like the idea of an electrician used reel of cable. I could then make a holder for the reels. I use 3 different types of chains. 3 reels.

 

[Daniel Henry]

I like the idea of an electrician used reel of cable. I could then make a holder for the reels. I use 3 different types of chains. 3 reels.MI

Some MIG welding machines use wire that is fed from a spool or reel. If there is a welding shop close by maybe you check with them. I use my empty spools or reels to house long extension cords.