What Is a Cold Shut Chain Repair Link and How Does It Work?

Huyett Marketing Department
02/17/2022

Cold shut chain repair links are among the most widely used chain repair links for low-grade carbon steel chain, also known as proof coil chain or Grade 30 chain. Proof coil chain has dozens of uses in industry, agriculture, and construction, It is used in applications that include lashing cargo, tie-downs, light-duty towing, logging, liftgate chains, and for security barriers and guard rails.

Because proof coil chains are so widely used, workers often need to repair broken chains, join chain lengths, or quickly connect rigging hardware such as hooks and shackles. Cold shut links are ideal for fast, temporary repairs and hardware connections. They are inexpensive, easy to install in the field with hand tools, and strong enough for the light-duty workloads suited to proof coil chain.

What is a Cold Shut Link?

A cold shut link is a chain repair link with an eye at one end into which the other end can be inserted, forming a closed link. The link is closed by bending or hammering it until its sides are parallel and the free end protrudes through the eye. The protruding end is then peened so it cannot be easily pulled out of the eye.

Broken chains are sometimes repaired by cutting a pair of links and welding them together to form a new link. However, a weld-repaired link is weaker than a properly installed cold shut repair link. Welding narrow proof coil chains is challenging, especially when the chain is galvanized or otherwise coated in a non-weldable material. Plus, welding is time-consuming and requires equipment that may not be readily-available in the field.

In contrast, cold shut links can be installed in minutes and result in a repair at least as strong as the chain, provided a suitably rated cold shut link is installed correctly.

How to Choose a Suitable Cold Shut Link

Cold shut links are listed with a rated capacity. For example, a 3/16" cold shut link has a rated capacity of 450 lbs. and a 1/2" cold shut link has a rated capacity of 3,700 lbs. Always use cold shut links with a rated capacity equal to or greater than the proof coil chain they are attached to.

Cold shut links are also listed with a chain size, but relying solely on chain size, also known as trade size, can be misleading. The size refers to the diameter of the wire used to manufacture the chain's links or the cold shut (although proof coil chain has a slightly larger diameter than the trade size indicates).

It is important to note that chains and cold shuts of the same nominal size do not have the same rated capacity. A 1/4" proof coil chain has a rated capacity of 1,250 lbs but a 1/4" cold shut link has a rated capacity of only 800 lbs. If you match a chain with a cold shut link of the same size, the combination will be significantly weaker than expected.

As a general rule of thumb, it is safe to choose a cold shut link one standard size larger than the chain. For example, if you have 1/4" chain, use a 5/16" cold shut link, which has a rated capacity of 1,300 lbs.

It should be emphasized that cold shut links must only be used with proof coil chain. An equivalently sized chain of a higher grade is made of stronger materials with a higher rated capacity.

How Do You Install a Cold Shut Link on a Chain?

Installing and closing a cold shut chain link is straightforward:

Insert the cold shut link through links on the end of the chains you would like to join or, if attaching rigging hardware, through the chain link and the eye of a hook, eye bolt, or shackle.
To close the cold shut link, compress it until the free end enters the eye and protrudes through the other side. You can do this by resting the cold shut link against a hard surface and hitting it with a hammer. You can also squeeze cold shut links closed in a vice.
Peen the end that pokes through the eye. The easiest way to peen a cold shut link is to pound the protruding end with a hammer until it "mushrooms." Peening is sufficient for a robust repair, but you can also weld the connection for a more permanent joint.

The final peening step is essential. If the free end protruding through the link is not peened, the cold shut link may open under load, causing the chain to break or the rigging hardware to detach under loads lower than expected.

Chain Repair Link Alternatives

Cold shut links are among the most widely used chain repair links, but there are alternatives for fast, in-field repairs of proof coil chain, including quick links and lap links.

Quick Links

Quick link chain repair links are chain links with a gate that can be unscrewed. To install quick links, the gate is screwed open and the end links of two pieces of chain or a chain and a fitting are inserted. The gate is then screwed shut until no threads are showing. Quick links can be used in repair chains or to connect fittings such as hooks and chain repair lap links.

When selecting quick links, ensure the rated capacity is greater than the chain. As with cold shut links, it is generally safe to use a quick link that is one size larger than the chain. Quick links are not suitable for overhead lifting.

Lap Links

Chain repair lap links are split links with a gap into which chain-end links or a link and a fitting can be inserted. The split end is then hammered closed or squeezed shut in a vice. Lap links are easily re-opened with a hammer and a punch. To select an appropriate lap link, follow the same process as selecting a cold shut link. Ensure the rated capacity is equal to or higher than the capacity of the chain. When installing lap links, be sure to fully close the gap to achieve the rated capacity. Lap links are not suitable for overhead lifting.