I've been accused of trying to preserve way too many things that aren't worth preserving. However if I see a chain that is going to give me any sort of problem I
get the bolt cutters out. Granted most of the chains I've cut are the equivalent of a chain I can get from Niagara Cycle for $5 - I don't run into difficult high end chains.

I spend way too much time flipping bikes, if I spend 5 minutes on the chain it is really too much time.