As title really – Normally I always find it a bit of a hit and miss affair but have always removed the link without too much swearing in the end – but last couple of occasions then it just ain’t moving and I have simply resorted to cleaning the chain in situ.

So is there a simple reliable method?

Clean chain link first with wire brush
Push together in the middle of link and (making aU shape with the chain)just push the two bits together
I find that it is best done weekly to make sure it does actually do this easily
Tips
Take slack of chain first
Getting it to move initially is the hardest bit.
Dirty chain is much harder than a clean one
Practice at home with nice clean chain and link and you will get it

you must squeeze the plates together sufficiently. If you dont, then you can bugger around all day, but its not coming apart.

My personal technique is to press the chain over the first knuckle of my right index figure with the thumb of my left hand. Then ease the two lengths of the chain together and then pull apart.

if you cant get the plates to come together then a blast with the straw fitted to your WD40 can will clean the crap out the way.

Really astonished people still have trouble with these. Not had to fight a chain with a powerlink for 5 years.

Because my previous post makes clear that I now know what I am talking about….. 😀

Squeeze the plates together as Stoner said. It is by for the most consistent way.

Think bra clasp, and it’s easy.

You can buy specific pliers for the job.

Very easy- just squeeze the plates together and slide them in the opposite directions. Once you have got the link off the chain have a look at it not on the chain and look at what is happens when you squeeze it together. When you get the hang of it you will be amazed that you ever struggled to get them off before and will be able to remove any powerlink no mater how stuck someone thinks it is with in seconds.

Think bra clasp, and it’s easy.
So they are impossible then!!!

pinch and squish it like a juicy bug.

stop imagining you’re Rambo (like this ^ bunch of ruffty hard-men) and get a bit of bent coat hanger to help compress the link – leaves your fingers free to push against the plates and works very well when your hands are cold & the chain’s filthy

I always used to struggle until I got some of these Park pliers, even though I have small girl like hands.

do you have a tool for undoing your shoe laces, if not would you like to buy one?

You still have to squeeze the plates together when using the park pliers otherwise you will damage the powerlink. The tool is a waste of money in my opinion since it can be done so easily by hand if you learn how.

Nutt.

Do you have a tool for undoing bra clasps?

If you do I’ll have one.

Stu, you dont need a tool, you need a dolphin

no way I use the Park one, my homebrew tool for that landed me in court in that infamous "dislodged shoulder blade case" debacle, never again!! never again!!

Stoner.

I don’t think our bath would be big enough to keep it in.

Thanks everyone I think I can see the principle now – not really sure how I had been doing it before – certainly realised that brute force was not the answer.