Originally Posted by
RandomTroll
I tried to remove the 'missing link' on my last KMC chain but failed: it would slip out of needle-nose pliers, my fingers couldn't grip it tightly enough (?), I tried squeezing it in the middle with needle-nose vise-grips, no amount of cleaning and lubricating and manipulation helped. KMC sells a specialty tool but I hate specialty tools when I should be able to do without.
Does someone know a good trick? I'm thinking of a buying a bulk box of KMCs so may want to get serious about their 'missing link'.
Of course I have a regular chain tool. I hope this will be easier enough to make it worth asking.
Park's master link pliers are the best solution. However, if you don't have the pliers (yet), try squeezing the plates together at the pins then pushing the chain ends towards each other. You want to force the plates inward a little to release the friction on the quick link.
Wanderer's idea is a great idea, by the way.