Simple way to weld a lock to a chain???

[powayroger]

I’m looking for a way to weld locks to a chain. I work as a Park Ranger and through a lot of hard work, was able to obtain 10 Cal Fire locks. Cal Fire was reluctant to give them to me until I offered to weld them to the chain of the gate s that they will be put on. We need these on gates in case of fire or CalFire will just cut off existing locks if they need to obtain access.

I need a fairly easy way to secure them to the chains of gates. I don’t want to but an expensive welding machine since I would have to weld these to locks on a lot of back roads.


Any suggestions?


Thanks!

 

[Rand]

Am I missing something? if they are locked why do they need to be welded?

 

[Garak]

Because other staff can and will forget to put the locks on, and they will go missing. Just about every disposal company will mandate the welding of a lock to the chain of a dumpster after one or two "strikes."

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: powayroger

I’m looking for a way to weld locks to a chain. I work as a Park Ranger and through a lot of hard work, was able to obtain 10 Cal Fire locks. Cal Fire was reluctant to give them to me until I offered to weld them to the chain of the gate s that they will be put on. We need these on gates in case of fire or CalFire will just cut off existing locks if they need to obtain access.

I need a fairly easy way to secure them to the chains of gates. I don’t want to but an expensive welding machine since I would have to weld these to locks on a lot of back roads.


Any suggestions?


Thanks!


Take them to a qualified welder. In the long run it will be cheaper.

 

[Trav]

There is a cheap and dirty way to weld with a couple of old fully charged car batteries, jumper cables and a welding rod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV5oLPLUzrM

 

[Roadkingnc]

If you lock their lock to the chain and connect using your lock you wont have to weld anything. If it doesn't get opened it wont disappear. We do this with fire locks where I work, nobody but the fire people can open their lock. We lock the chain using one end of the chain and the two locks are locked together.

 

[Rick in PA]

You could have a short length of lighter non-welded chain welded to the lock as a tether at a welding shop, doing all the locks at once. Then split the last link open at the shop. Later, secure the tether to the main chain by closing the split link with two pliers on-site. Not a secure as fully welded, but it would help keep the locks from "wandering off".

 

[Stelth]

Harbor Freight sells a cheap 110v. wire feed welder, and also a little 110v. stick welder that will run OK off a generator. Not sure if you can take a generator along. And since it looks like you're in Poway, you could borrow mine.

 

[The_Jeff]

Can you rent a combo welder/generator that'll fit in the back of a truck/ atv and get it all done in a day or two? Can you make them up in the shop or do you have to do it in the field? Is there an equipment shop that would donate a day's use of the welder in the name of park safety?

I'd go with stick welding; easy for a novice and the materials you're working with are plenty thick for it.

Usual disclaimer, don't let your hot welding slag start a fire.

 

[kb01]

Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
If you lock their lock to the chain and connect using your lock you wont have to weld anything. If it doesn't get opened it wont disappear. We do this with fire locks where I work, nobody but the fire people can open their lock. We lock the chain using one end of the chain and the two locks are locked together.


That's pretty much what we do too.

In many instances, there might be 4 or 5 padlocks on a chain keeping a gate shut -- Coal company, gas prospectors, sub-contractors, EMS, etc. usually get their own. It's pretty much a daisy chain of locks.