How's it going with the chain Bob?

Attached are a couple of example three link chains, one layed out in the x+ direction, the other in x-. This time I did use ERC, as it makes it easier to change the offset for the second center of rotation. It's easier if you are trying to find the correct location by trial and error. The control channel is in the Body actor.

I think they are rigged correctly, but I have not tested extensively. The channel stack should be the same for every alternate link, the even numbered channels should all have the same channel stack as each other, and the odd numbered channels all have the same channel stack as each other. With the only difference apart from the alternating stack being the origin and endPoint for each link (at least I think so).

Your right about the chain_maker not producing the correct rig for chains made on the x axis (perhaps for z as well, haven't checked). I never noticed that (or had forgotten). Again it's a channel order thing. With chains made by the chain_maker on the x axis, in the even numbered links, the the extra translate channels each need to be moved moved up one slot, so that it is rotateZ that is sandwiched in-between the extra translate channels. In the odd numbered channels they need to be moved down one slot, so that it is rotateY that is sandwiched between them.

I also found that I had not used the correct offset for the second rotation center, the value was a little too large. For the default chain it should have been -0.006 and 0.006, not -0.007 and 0.007.