Boy do I agree about loaning tools.. Never seems to work out...

On the master links you get today.. the outside link is a very good fit to the post on the link... Odds are that because there is no side load.. and the rubber on the slides has the chain prints on them.. that if you just pushed it on and ran it that way it would last for ever.. Ya.. I do not have the guts to do that.. but do think it would work.. The fit on the link is so close that once you deform the end by crimping or taping with a hammer that there is no way the link can get off.. The big thing is to be sure that there is some play in the link like all the rest.. Do no smash the link so there is no play binding it so it does not want to move free.. But they make the master link a bit longer so you should not have that problem unless you just beat it to death.. However I have never seen one come apart at the master.. Only when the post have worn thru.... I have even pulled the real old type with the two clips .. One on each post of the master.. and seen where one had fallen off.. And once saw a 240 with the newer one clip master and it had come off.. But the chain did not come apart... Those masters with the one clip had to have the clip put on so the open ends followed and did not lead as they would come apart..


Point to all this is... Use a tool if you have one or can find one... However if not Peen the ends of the master.. put a big hammer or some thing behind each pin and take your time and do a nice job.. once you deform it and the post past the link expands there is no way it will come off..

Ken