Chain selection theory

[Brennan]

Well I’ve got a couple saws that are due for new chains (one well over due) and was wondering how one selects a chain type. Here’s what I do know:

Semi chisel (round corner) is for dirty wood as it holds an edge longer while sacrificing some efficiency. Full chisel (pointed corner) is more efficient but is better for use in clean wood since the edge isn’t as durable. Square grind is for professionals who aren’t mechanically destructive (though I do want to learn how to hand file it as some point).
Full comp is the standard layout, used by almost everything. Semi skip doesn’t seem to really exist anymore. Full skip puts less load on the saw allowing longer bar/keeps rpm up on longer bar. Also allows more room for chip clearing.

I’ve got most of the what chain is now I just need help with application:
Most everything I cut around here is evergreen in nature with the occasional oak or black locust.

Saw 1: 85cc 28in bar, currently has a full chisel full skip on it. Will be used primarily for felling and bucking. Will I see any advantage/disadvantage to sticking with a full skip chain or will a full comp chain be significantly faster (I know some of this has to do with operator but let’s stick to in theory). I will put a full chisel chain on no matter the pattern.
Saw 2: 82.5 cc 24 in bar, currently has a well blunted semi chisel full comp chain. Would be used primarily for bucking. Im think full comp on this one since it’s going to be seeing more limbing action so I want more consistent saw tooth contact to avoid jumping. Going to go with full chisel here as well since I’ve got a limbing saw set up with semi chisel for the nastier stuff already.

Next is chain brand. I know you can’t really go wrong with stihl or Oregon chain. Stihl chain being harder to sharpen but holds an edge a little better. However the supplier I’m going to order from also sells woodland pro which seams to be rebranded Carlton which is owned by Oregon(?) from my research. Has anyone run this chain or should I just stick to the Oregon stuff that’s 5 bucks more?

Lastly is sharpening. I’ve been hand filing all my chain with the cheapest files I found at homedepot (trilink brand) with ok results. Getting into bigger saws has me wanting either better files or maybe a chain grinder. I was thinking about getting a hazard fraud model and equipping it with better stones should it be necessary or is that just trying to polish a turd? I’m willing to spend the money on good files since I use almost exclusively 3/8 chain just want to know what others are using.

Well this got rather long, sorry for the rambling, stay safe and stay healthy- Brennan

[undee70ss]

You want to use full comp on any saw your going to do limbing with.

[edju1958]

I think I've been hand filing for about 4 or 5 yrs.now & I've always used Pferd files.I think they do a good job,but like any file they eventually wear themselves out.I think I heard Billy Ray say that he uses his files about 10 times then gets rid of them.

[Brennan]

May 7, 2020 19:52:38 GMT -5 edju1958 said:

I think I've been hand filing for about 4 or 5 yrs.now & I've always used Pferd files.I think they do a good job,but like any file they eventually wear themselves out.I think I heard Billy Ray say that he uses his files about 10 times then gets rid of them.

He must be using plastic files then, I've got machining files from my grandfather that are well used and still cut just fine. I guess he also demands much more of his chains than the average user so maybe theres some merit to that. I'll order a few of those files and check them out, I was actually looking at one of their 2 in 1 units just this morning. I want to get chain ordered this evening so I need advice on the 28 in bar, I know it can pull a full comp chain but when I'm 28 inches into a pine I don't know if its going to be nicer to handle with a full comp or the full skip. I think ill just order up some of the woodland pro stuff and see how it performs and report back, seems some people are saying its carlton chain in a different box so we ill see.

[rowdy235]

I put woodland pro chain on my 707g, I’ve been very happy with the performance!

[Brennan]

Cool. Come the end of the month I’ll be putting a loop on the sxl-925. The “S” saw is getting a loop of full comp Oregon LPX since a local shop was clearing out old stuff at a bargain price.