Depots in Nanaimo & Richmond, BC 604.273.4557·sales@keystone.ca
Keystone Supplies · Surplus & Used

Surplus & Used Marine Chain & Rigging

Surplus gear (new/unused, overstock and ex-project) and used, inspected gear from Keystone Supplies. Stud link and studless chain from 3/4" to 3" (19–76 mm), plus shackles, wire rope remnants, wire rope blocks, weights and buoys. Marine first, and useful for plenty of jobs on land. Depots in Nanaimo & Richmond, BC.

  • 3/4" – 3"Chain diameter
  • 19 – 76 mmMetric
  • 2 Stocked DepotsNanaimo · Richmond

Stud link chain in our depot

What we sell

Products

Chain is our main line. We also carry surplus and used marine and rigging hardware, sorted and described honestly. Stock changes as material comes in.

Surplus

New / unused. Overstock, discontinued lines or ex-project material that was never put into service.

Used

Inspected & condition-graded. Previously in service, looked over and described honestly. How we grade →

Heavy chain with a yellow connecting fitting in our depot

Shackles & Fittings

Surplus and used anchor (bow) shackles, chain (D) shackles, and joining links such as kenter links for connecting shots of chain.

Ask about shackles →
Close-up of a used wire rope coil with a socket fitting

Wire Rope Remnants

Cut lengths and offcuts of surplus and used wire rope in various diameters. For tie-downs, barriers, fencing, landscaping and general utility work (not lifting).

Ask about wire rope →

Wire Rope Blocks

Used sheave blocks and snatch blocks for redirecting and handling wire rope on deck, in the yard or in the bush.

Ask about blocks →

Weights

Mooring and clump weights, sinkers and counterweights, for holding moorings and balancing loads.

Ask about weights →
Steel mooring buoy at our depot

Buoys

Mooring and marker buoys. Type and condition vary, so ask what's at the depots.

Ask about buoys →

Looking for something else?

Surplus and used marine and rigging hardware comes and goes. Tell us what you need and we'll check both depots.

Ask us
Used chain

Chain Types

Mostly marine chain, from 3/4" up to 3". Tell us the type and size you need and we'll match it from current stock.

Close-up of large stud link chain in our depot
Marine

Stud Link Anchor Chain

Each link has a cross-bar (stud) that keeps it from deforming or kinking and helps it run smoothly over a windlass. The classic ship anchor chain.

  • Anchoring & heavy moorings
  • Traditionally sold in 90 ft (15-fathom) shots
Heavy open links on a chain pile in our depot
Marine

Studless / Open Link

Plain links with no stud. Lighter than stud link at the same diameter, and widely used for permanent moorings and buoy systems.

  • Mooring legs, ground chain, risers
  • Buoy & aid-to-navigation moorings
Pile of used open link chain in our depot
General

Long Link Chain

Elongated links with a larger opening, so shackles, hooks and connectors fit through easily. Common for ground tackle and general utility work.

  • Easy connection points
  • Lighter per foot than short link
Piles of used chain in our depot
General

Short Link Chain

Compact links with a shorter pitch. Heavier and stiffer per foot, with less stretch. Good for weight, ballast and rugged utility jobs.

  • Dense: more weight per foot
  • Tough utility chain

A note on grades

Chain is made in different steel grades with different strengths. Where the original grade markings or paperwork exist, we pass them along.

Grade 1 / 2 / 3
Ship anchor chain grades (often written U1, U2, U3 or Q1, Q2, Q3). A higher number means higher-strength steel. Grade 2 and Grade 3 are the most common on commercial vessels.
R3, R3S, R4, R4S, R5
Offshore mooring chain grades used for floating platforms and rigs. Much higher strength, made under strict offshore classification rules.
Commercial / unrated
Chain with unknown history or no markings. Best for non-critical uses such as weight, ballast, landscaping and decorative work.

Grade descriptions are general guidance only. Used chain is sold based on its own markings, documents and inspection. Ask us about a specific lot.

Built for the sea, useful everywhere

Applications

Most of our chain goes back to sea, but heavy used chain and rigging hardware also do a lot of good, honest work on land.

Marine

  • Anchoring: anchor chain for workboats, tugs, barges and vessels
  • Mooring: permanent and seasonal moorings, ground chain and risers
  • Buoy & aid-to-navigation (AtoN) moorings
  • Barges & floats: float and barge anchoring
  • Marinas & docks: floating dock and breakwater moorings
  • Offshore & aquaculture: mooring grids and ground lines

Non-Marine

  • Ballast & counterweight: dense, flexible weight
  • Landscaping & erosion control: edging, slope and shoreline work
  • Logging & towing: heavy-duty drag and skid chain
  • Fencing, gates & barriers: perimeter and vehicle barriers
  • Decorative & architectural: bollards, rails, signage
  • Art & sculpture: welded art, furniture and installations

Not for overhead lifting: our used chain, shackles, wire rope and blocks are not sold for overhead lifting or rigging. For lifting, use only gear that is certified and rated for lifting, inspected by a qualified person, and compliant with WorkSafeBC and other applicable regulations. For any load-critical marine use, have the gear assessed by a qualified surveyor or engineer.

Chain 3/4" through 3" · 19–76 mm

Chain Size Chart

Common chain diameters we handle, in both inches and millimetres. Approximate weights are calculated from the standard industry estimate for new chain. Used chain weighs somewhat less depending on wear. Switch between imperial and metric below.

Diameterinches Diametermm Stud linkapprox. lb/ft Studlessapprox. lb/ft Stud linkapprox. lb per 90 ft shot Stud linkapprox. kg/m Studlessapprox. kg/m Stud linkapprox. kg per 27.4 m shot
3/4"19.05.34.94817.97.2218
7/8"22.27.36.665410.89.8297
1"25.49.58.685414.112.8388
1-1/8"28.612.010.91,08117.916.2491
1-1/4"31.814.813.51,33522.120.1606
1-3/8"34.918.016.31,61626.724.3733
1-1/2"38.121.419.41,92331.828.9872
1-5/8"41.325.122.82,25637.333.91,023
1-3/4"44.429.126.42,61743.339.31,187
2"50.838.034.53,41856.551.41,550
2-1/4"57.148.143.74,32671.565.01,962
2-1/2"63.559.353.95,34188.380.22,422
2-3/4"69.871.865.26,462106.997.12,931
3"76.285.477.67,690127.2115.53,488

Weights are estimates calculated from the standard formulas for new chain: stud link ≈ 0.0219 × d² kg/m, studless ≈ 0.0199 × d² kg/m (d = diameter in mm). Link design and wear change the actual weight. These are not guaranteed specifications. Other sizes may also be available. Just ask.

Know what you're buying

Condition & Inspection

Every lot is listed as Surplus (new/unused) or Used. Used gear varies, so we're upfront about each lot. Everything is looked over before it's offered and described honestly.

  1. Visual inspection

    Checked for cracks, bends, loose or missing studs, pitting, broken wires and heavy corrosion.

  2. Wear check

    Chain diameter is measured at the wear points (where links touch) and compared with the original size.

  3. Condition listed

    Each lot is listed as Surplus or Used, and used lots get a plain-language grade. Photos are available on request.

  4. By the shot or length

    Chain comes in standard 90 ft (15-fathom) shots or is cut to length. Wire rope is sold as remnants or cut lengths.

SurplusNew / Unused

Never put into service: overstock, discontinued or ex-project material. May show storage marks or light surface rust from outdoor storage.

UsedGood / Serviceable

Previously in service, with moderate wear and surface corrosion consistent with normal use.

UsedUtility / Scrap-grade

Noticeable wear or pitting. Best for ballast, weight, landscaping or decorative use.

Any available original certificates or markings are shared with the lot. Buyers are responsible for confirming the gear is suitable for their application. Independent survey or testing can be arranged at the buyer's request and cost.

Smart steel

Why Buy Used?

01

Lower cost

Heavy chain and fittings are expensive to make new. Surplus and serviceable used gear can often do the same job for less.

02

Sustainable

Reusing steel that's already been made avoids the energy and emissions of making new. It keeps good gear working instead of going to scrap.

03

Built heavy

Marine chain is made for harsh, salty conditions. Even after service, larger sizes often have plenty of steel left for moorings, ballast and utility work.

04

Ready now

No waiting on mill lead times. Gear in the depot can often go out quickly.

05

Any length

Buy a full shot or just the length you need for your project.

06

Two BC depots

Pick up in Nanaimo or Richmond, or ask about delivery.

Get pricing

Request a Quote

Tell us what you need, whether surplus or used works for you, the size and length, and where it's going. We'll reply with availability, condition and pricing.

  • Chain size: measure the thickness of the steel bar of one link, not the whole link.
  • A "shot" is 90 ft (15 fathoms, about 27.4 m).
  • Pick up in Nanaimo or Richmond, or tell us where to deliver.
Heavy used stud link chain in our depot

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Two depots in British Columbia

Locations & Contact

Serving Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver & the BC coast. Call ahead to confirm stock at each depot.

Nanaimo, BC

Address
[street address], Nanaimo, BC [postal code]
Phone
[Nanaimo phone]
Hours
[hours]

Richmond, BC

Address
[street address], Richmond, BC [postal code]
Phone
[Richmond phone]
Hours
[hours]