Embarassingly stupid ball chain question..

So I want to make my chains a little shorter. If I just cut one of the thin bits between the balls and use that as the top of the ball chain, that's OK, right? I just don't want to break my first set.

Sorry. Believe me, I searched long and hard before asking such a dense question. There's probably a good reason it doesn't seem to have been asked before.

Yup, that's perfectly fine. If you were to purchase your ball chain in an actual shop (i.e. not via online) that is exactly what they would do to give you some from the massive roll of the stuff they have. This is of course assuming you have some sort of connector that then links to the ball chain.

Yeah I do Thanks a lot, I just thought I'd better ask as there's no way I'll manage to get more before Glasto next wednesday

I shortened a set from hop this way a few years back. Then I changed the chain completely cause ballchain sucks

You just gotta be careful you close the clasp completely around the end balls, it's gotta be the more likely point to fail

That's cool. I got it pretty tightly closed, which was surprising considering how hard it was to open it up.

They're swinging much nicer now, thanks guys.

ballchain only sucks if you are vegan.

ballchain does suck....if you don't look after it or secure it properly or buy the wack non-stainless steel variety

i agree, ballchain does suck goats and it breaks easily and doesnt whip catch well!

Please note that there is many types of ball chain. Some are very dangerous, some are great.
Also depends on what you do with it.

It is quite sad when people say general statements about ball chain when there is so many types.
eg like "All hippies are vegans"

See Ball chain information

I love ball chain and have never had a problem with any of my ball chain from HOP

stainless steel 15 gauge ballchain is God incarnate.

I won't spin fire with anything else. ever.

I personally use SS oval link.

But one thing i love about spinning with ball chain is. You can feel all the weight on the end of the chain (the fire head)

With SS oval link. You can feel the weight all the way up the chain

Cable poi blow goats

i never saw that page before which Malcolm made a link to above. Now i understand completely why my NPS #15 ball chain eventually broke ( after about a year of hardcore use ). i don't remember reading any warnings that it was not appropriate for fire, but maybe those were added after i bought it. i am also a vegan ( almost ), so that may have been another part of the problem. i am very happy with the oval twist chain, it suits my needs and my large cathedral wicks very nicely.
i do miss the maneuverability of ball chain though, it was especially nice for buzzsaws ( though i have adapted to my new chains ).

ALL chain must be inspected and occasionally replaced. even SS welded oval link can fail from heat fatigue eventually unless it is quite large size.

granted it lasts longer than ballchain, but really, it takes all of about $4-5 for a couple hundered burns to maintain your ballchain. it isn't like that should be a huge burden on anyone. If it is, the rest of your fire equipment is probably substandard too.

A year of hardcore use will fatigue your equipment in its entirety. Inspection and maintianance are not optional for fire performers!!!

No, my fire equipment is not substandard.

But i admit that i am substandard.

I beg your pardon, but what does being a vegan have to do with ballchain?

So far as I've heard, most metals have little to do with cruelty to animals.

Or am I just being dense and not getting the joke?

Didn't you know? They extract the metal for chains from the bodies of goats. All those cans they eat's gotta go somewhere.

It takes 4 goats to make one #13 ball.

twisted oval link is likwid's preferred chain of spinning.. lol