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redbopeep
02-01-2008, 02:47 PM
We've got these 18" long pipes that run (at an angle) through the bulwarks of the boat (straight line from bow roller back to windlass). Nice bronze pipes probably custom made.

We know from records about the boat that these pipes were used with 7/16" chain back in the 1930's. The boat now has 1/2" bbb chain. I noted that the bbb link (length wize) is longer than the inside diameter of these pipes...the chain could probably get jammed in the pipes. Of course 1/2" bbb isn't probably much bigger/longer than whatever 7/16" chain they had for so many years and it seemingly didn't jam...Well..I went looking for info on what the minimum diameter of such a pipe would be--can't find anything, anywhere. Anybody have a reference or a clue about this?

On one hand, I'd figure it has to be bigger than a single link. On the other hand, perhaps there's a "range" of size that works because its diameter is smaller than the length of a single link allowing it to work fine because of not enough room to turn and jam. ???:confused:

Thanks.

BrianM
02-01-2008, 04:10 PM
Brenda,

Why not force a jam yourself... or try to. Stick a wedge in one end, let the pipe back up, then take a hardwood dowel and a hammer and stuff the chain in with force on the other end.

If no combination of forcing it in will do it........

redbopeep
02-02-2008, 03:08 AM
Brenda,

Why not force a jam yourself... or try to. Stick a wedge in one end, let the pipe back up, then take a hardwood dowel and a hammer and stuff the chain in with force on the other end.

If no combination of forcing it in will do it........

LOL....that's sort of what I was trying to do--get it to jam, before I made this post for help. It sure LOOKS like it should jam because of the size being smaller than length of a single link--and you know how chain can get twisted and all, but I haven't been successful in jamming it. Of course, the pipes are outside of the boat (new planking/new bulwarks don't have the cutouts yet for the pipes) and the chain is in a big box right now so its not a realistic set up with the windlass pulling in the chain at speed, etc. It just seems like it should jam.