|
What is the big deal with using a chain, as a locking device,
rather than cable or armored cable? Basically chain is
hard, flexible cable is soft. Hack saws can cut cable very
fast, however armored cable like
ABUS Steel-O-Flex 1000 or
1050 models are a good
compromise. Chain is like this: It either cuts or it
doesn't, there really is no middle ground. There are only a few
factors when considering a chain that need to be known.
What material is the chain made of?
We have seen 1"
diameter chain cut like butter and we have seen 5/16" (8mm)
shackles resist cutting like it was core hardened 10mm chain.
Why? Because of the material it is made from and the
hardening process. Our Abus or Protector chains and locks
are constructed from CRMO (chromium & molybdenum) and/or boron
manganese alloy steel which, when properly hardened, becomes
virtually impervious to cutting while remaining ductile.
High-end ABUS and Protector chains are put through a freeze test
at -40 degrees Celsius. Freon and CO2 only get down to
about -20 C. All security chains in the lower price range are
made in China these days. While we have seen some good quality
China made chain by brands like Xena, Abus and Kryptonite, some
of the stuff available out there is of dubious quality to say
the least. Really poor welding and steel quality inconsistency
can easily be seen with the naked eye. High end security chains,
like our Protector range, are made from European high quality
boron steel and specially heat treated in small batches.
What is the diameter of the chain?
When we talk about chain size we normally go metric. Our
security chains range from 10mm all the way up to
19mm (3/4") thickness.
Depending on what you are locking
up and where you live or work, 10mm may be all you need. Weight
is a serious consideration when choosing a security chain.
ABUS Magnum Chain is
11mm (7/16"),
Super Magnum is
12mm (15/32") in diameter and the new Abus Maximum Security
chains are available up to 14mm thickness.
Onguard chains
range from 10 to 14mm and from Kryptonite we carry 12 and 15mm
chains.
Our top of the line Protector chains, high quality made in
the UK, are available in size range from 13 to 19mm.
Chain size refers to the link thickness, not the total size of
the chain. You will find the total width indicated on most
chains listed on our website.
How is the chain hardened?
Case or Core, what's the
difference? How is hardness measured?
Case hardening
is very inexpensive and provides virtually no protection against
bolt cutters. The case hardening process is usually only a few
thousandths of an inch deep. An analogy would be a hard
boiled egg. Hard on the outside, but very soft on the
inside.
Core hardening means all the metal is hardened
to various degrees. Core hardening is the only way to truly
defeat bolt cutters assuming the link is thick enough.
Hardness is measured in Rockwell. Example! ABUS Magnum
Lock and Chain is a minimum 65 Rockwell which is harder than
some bolt-cutter jaws.
The higher the number the harder the
material. Files and hack saws are only about 58-61
Rockwell. Ball bearings are about 63 Rockwell. Bolt
cutters are about the same hardness as a well hardened security
chain so it becomes about the amount of pressure that can be
applied. Obviously, given enough time and ability to make noise,
a torch or cutting disc will cut any chain.
Hexagonal, Round or Square? Noose ring or continuous chain?
It does make a difference but only up to a certain
point. Hexagonal design provides a flat surface so bolt-cutter
pressure is divided over a larger surface. But this will depend
greatly on the size of both chain and bolt-cutter. A 14mm Square
chain link is obviously going to be stronger than a 10mm
Hexagonal. As of 13mm, round chain is as good as any other
design.
Chain & Locking systems can be used in a variety of ways and
your choice of ideal locking chain depends on your purpose. For
home/garage use, go with the heaviest chain link you can
possibly get and afford. Obviously, this also depends on your
security risk factor. It makes very little sense to lock up a
$150 bicycle with a $400 chain system.
If you need to travel and carry the chain system along, a
NOOSE
chain
will provide a high security level while keeping weight and
volume to a minimum. A conventional 6FT chain makes a complete
loop with 2 ends of the chain in the lock. This gives you
essentially about 3FT of length.
A noose chain can be cinched around an object on one end and
locked on the other end. Making a 4FT noose chain the equivalent
of 8FT conventional chain.
Our long link Protector chains
have the ability to interlink trough any link in the chain. This
allows you to use 2 locks (one on each end) or to link 2 chains
in a figure 8 with only one lock.
Can it be cut with a bolt-cutter / cropper?
Size matters but anything can be cut with the right tools.
Our experience is this. Most chains up to 10mm, no matter how
hard or what material is used, can be cut with a standard
hardware store 3ft bolt cutter, IF, and this is a big if, the
conditions are right.
You need to be able to put a lot of pressure on the tool and
this is not always possible. 12 to 13mm chain can be cut with
very large professional cutters like Irwin's 42" monster cropper
but this depends on the person doing the cutting. Not many
people can do it and again it is much more difficult if the
chain is harder to get at. Also keep in mind that chain links
need to be cut twice.
Our new 16mm and 19mm Protector chains are IMPOSSIBLE to cut
with any hand operated bolt-cutter that can normally be carried
around.
|
