Chain selection

ryan.malecha

I did some cutting this last weekend for firewood and we were in some fir and dead hardwood left from the fire.... The hardwood did a number of my chain (obviously).

When I got home I did some research of chains and now I am looking for advice on what chains would fit the different scenarios I cut in.

1) any thoughts on the carbide chain? Is it worth the money?

2) When cutting mixed timber what is the best chain?

3) When cutting soft wood what is the best chain?

I have a ms390 with a 25 inch bar...looking to do a muffler mod soon.

stihlman441

1) Carbide chain is very expensive and you need diamond gear to sharpen it.

2)If you are cutting mixed dry, dirty ,burnt wood a Semi Chisel chain is the go.

3)Soft green wood you need a Full Chisel chain a lot more aggressive and faster.

Cheers
Andrew

ryan.malecha

What applications other than rescue does carbide get used?

MCW

I have seen Carbide chain used to cut straight through dirt encrusted tree roots in ditches dug by water and electricity workers. For your info you will pay at least AUD$4.50 per drive link and AUD$320 for a diamond wheel to sharpen them if using a grinder. I've considered it however I'd rather not drop AUD$378 for an 84DL 24" chain + the $320 for a wheel.
Awesome chain but pricey. You can buy a lot of semi chisel or chipper chain for that...

Another chain style to consider is chipper chain (one step tougher than semi chisel) although guys in the US sometimes find it hard to get. In Australia there are generally good stocks available.

Bruce Hopf

I use semi chisel chain here, that I cut my fire wood with. I cut Ash, and Maple here, on the farm, and I have no problems with it.
I'm presently cutting tree tops from our bush, that I have skidded out of the bush, with the tractor, and I prefer the semi chisel over the chisel, as it stays sharper for a bit longer, as well, in dirty conditions, like I have. Hope this helps a bit. Bruce.

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2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
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2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
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Kenskip1

Sir I would check into Baileys (Woodland Pro). A 100 foot roll of 325 chain is 269$ This chain is made buy Carlton. I have it on several of my saws and it keeps an edge very well even when cutting some hard dry Texas oak. Ken

Brent Ferris

stihlman441
I agree. And if you hit a nail, or steel or stone, all the carbide teeth get sheared off. You can buy a lot of chain for the one carbide.

MCW

There is apparently a new Carlton based Carbide chain that I outlined earlier where the whole tooth, depth guages and everything is Carbide although I'm pretty sure this would chip/break just as bad? Yet to see it for sure but heard this from another dealer. Pacific Chain in Australia sell it apparently.

As mentioned pricey though...

Bruce Hopf

I use Carlton 3/8" X 0.050 semi chisel chain here on my farm. I cut a lot of stuff, that I had skidded out of the bush, with the tractor, and cut it up behind the barn. Sure it is a bit dirty, and muddy, but I have no troubles cutting it, and my chains stay relatively sharp, for quite awhile. They stay bit sharper, longer than Stihl chisel chains, that I use as well. I mainly cut Ash, and Maple. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).