Originally Posted by
HopliteGrad
Sweet. I tried to avoid having to use it on my new chain, but for some reason when I'd break links to join the chain up, the link would always freeze up and not bend right. I finally got frustrated and just cheated with the powerlink.
Is there some magic trick with chain breaking tools?
Yes there is a trick, but it's not with the tool...
After you drive the pin into place, grab the chain on either side of the pin you just drove in and flex the chain in the direction of the plates ie 90* from the way it normally rolls. Flex it first one way then the other till the tight link loosens up. It takes some muscle to achieve the desired results, you'll know when you've got it right. This flexing motion puts some "slack" into the plates and rollers that just got squished too tight when you used the chain tool.