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Snowpetrel · 18-10-2016, 05:22

Why not some sort of tough plastic like HDPE. Less noise and less wear on the galvanising on the chain? Replace it every so often when it gets thin. Even a sacrificial wood strip could work.

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**a64pilot** · 18-10-2016, 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Why not some sort of tough plastic like HDPE. Less noise and less wear on the galvanising on the chain? Replace it every so often when it gets thin. Even a sacrificial wood strip could work.

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Some logic in the plastic as it will never rust etc., but it is plastic and looks like it.
Probably the most functional, logical choice though, I hadn't even considered it.

Chain stands a little proud of the teak now, it only touches the teak every now and again when it gets slack. I never free fall the anchor, I always lower it under power, and I assume when the chain stopper gets mounted it will touch it even less frequently. Still eventually it will wear the teak and make it look bad.

I know Ti has very little bearing resistance if that is the correct term, reason you won't see a Ti Crankshaft or motorcycle chain, or if some one builds one, I bet it will have other metals that take the friction load.
But as I said the chain only touches every now and again, it's not like it slides over it. The satin surface of the Ti may make it not so slippery though to step on, the SS would be extremely slippery
I'll likely go with the SS, only thing pushing me towards Ti is it's cool, silly I know. This is the natural color of Ti, it's an AH-64 Main Rotor blade grip that I use as a door stop in my office. I have never tried to polish Ti, but I do have a highly polished Ti bicycle, so its possible.

Terra Nova · 18-10-2016, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

...only thing pushing me towards Ti is it's cool...

It is not cool to use an inferior material.

**a64pilot** · 18-10-2016, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

It is not cool to use an inferior material.

Due to its corrosion resistance, it may not be inferior, I believe the 301 SS, just like 304 will "rust". Except that I will be mounting the chain stopper on top of whatever I use, something like Starboard has a lot going for it.
But likely I will go with the 301 SS as its free.

Cheechako · 18-10-2016, 08:49

For that application, the Ti or the SS will be fine and probably last forever. Either may be difficult to work with though as you said the 301 is half hard, that's very work hardened.

Stumble · 18-10-2016, 13:21

Just to try and answer in one post without quoting everyone...

-Ti has pretty poor wear resistance, but in this application it's probably meaningless. Maybe in twenty years there will be a slight channel worn, but probably not. In this application I would think impact resistance would be a bigger issue and titanium does well there.

-Personally I would just epoxy bond the titanium plate to the deck and be done with it. The stainless in time will rust, then you have to deal with rust stains and constant polishing the plate. Doable of course, but I am lazy. Once the ti is in place you can forget about it forever.

-As for polishing ti. It can be done, and you can bring it to a mirror finish if you want to. But it's extremely expensive and acomolishes nothing in the marine world other than cosmetic. In some very specialized chemical handeling applications polishing ti is justified, but pretty rarely unless you are also talking about high heat and very concentrated solutions.

groundtackle · 20-10-2016, 05:14

I call this a chain ditch installed 15 years ago. I formed it from 16ga 304. Gave it a quick polish then a Scotchbrite dull finish. Glued it down with Sikaflex. Ever once in awhile I give it a another Scotchbite scrub and throw some boat wax on it. Takes a beating and still looks and works great. The chain is inline so doesn't mark it hard, just brushes it. Not an expensive item.
I just looked at that pic close, I see a loose lifeline turnbuckle nut. I better get down there...
ce

delmarrey · 20-10-2016, 07:35

Wear plate?
I just use a piece of teak glued down with 4200. When it wears out I toss it and put in another. Cheap and it doesn't wear the gavinize from the chain.

**a64pilot** · 20-10-2016, 07:49

I've already broken a piece of the SS and will likely use it.
It is 6" wide and 39" long, it will have the chain stopper mounted in the middle of it and it will sit on all teak.
Just run a bead of 4200 around the outside of the underside to seal it to the teak? I had though to use some 3/4" #10 SS screws to attach it, but with the chain stopper bolts going though it, I don't think they are needed, but will 4200 seal it well enough? I want to be able to remove it without destroying the teak it is on top of.

delmarrey · 20-10-2016, 07:53

Without cleaning the teak with acetone and primping the wood with teak primer, the 4200 will eventually come loose depending on weather conditions.

Cheechako · 20-10-2016, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by groundtackle

I call this a chain ditch installed 15 years ago. I formed it from 16ga 304. Gave it a quick polish then a Scotchbrite dull finish. Glued it down with Sikaflex. Ever once in awhile I give it a another Scotchbite scrub and throw some boat wax on it. Takes a beating and still looks and works great. The chain is inline so doesn't mark it hard, just brushes it. Not an expensive item.
I just looked at that pic close, I see a loose lifeline turnbuckle nut. I better get down there...
ce

Oh no! The 304 will turn to dust overnight! You gotta have 316!

**a64pilot** · 20-10-2016, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Without cleaning the teak with acetone and primping the wood with teak primer, the 4200 will eventually come loose depending on weather conditions.

So what is best, don't seal it? Teak has Cetol or similar varnish on it now.

delmarrey · 20-10-2016, 10:05

I'd use 4200. Ya just have to redoit once in awhile. Just like a lot of boat things.

**Jim Cate** · 20-10-2016, 13:32

If you want to be able to easily remove it, either butyl rubber sealant or even a rubber sheet gasket would keep the water at bay, not disturb the teak and not be difficult to remove. iMO, the only place that sealant might be used is around the chain stopper mounting bolts.

Jim