Is tensioning necessary for #35 chain?

[asid61]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

It doesn't. For FRC use most 35 is fine C-C with no tensioning system. As long as your chain runs aren't longer than 17" or so you're set for the season.

Asid, I'd stray away from making assumptions like that that you're not completely sure of. Misleading information like that is dangerous. I believe Anant usually made a point about misleading information to students each year. I remember he told me directly when I spoke to him at your workshops a few years back.

It depends on the OP's application. If the team simply uses an arbitrary distance for the sprockets on a drive train, then the chain could be quite loose without half-links. Adding a tensioner allows for flexibility and accounts for unknown manufacturing tolerances. On the other hand, if they design properly they may not need one. Better safe than sorry (especially if almost unnoticable mistakes are made in calculating c-c distance).