Best way to cut RR ties?

[Kevin_in_VA]

I've got an old beater Poulan 16 inch chainsaw I use for RR ties or roots. Won't subject my 20" Stihl to anything like that. However, you could use your good saw & chains for these. It'll give you the excuse you need to go out and buy new ones. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[chucko]

I has used on ones that I was unsure of a skill saw with an old blade (of cheep)
cut all the way arond it then sawzaw what was left

 

[BubbaJr]

If these are old ties, check the ends of the ties for date nails. The RR's used to pound them into the end grain when they put them in service so they could tell how much life they got out of them. The nails are collectible if they are old enough. Most are round, some are square, and some are other odd shapes, and they usually have a 2 digit number stamped in them that corresponds with the year they were installed. They're not worth a lot of money, but every little bit adds up. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[have_blue]

I bought an old beater Poulan 18", with the idea of getting a Stihl or Huskvarna later on. That was 4 years and a hurricane ago. I can't kill the darn thing. I've cleared 5 acres and have 2 to go, and it's still going strong. Me and a pro tree remover guy had a contest. He had a big Husky, and he beat me sawing through a 16" limb by only 1 second. He was surprised and said he could buy 4 or 5 for the price of the Husky, or nearly buy a new saw for the price of a bar and chain.

All seriousness aside, they should make a special chain for cutting salvage lumber and such. Something with hard moly teeth like a coarse hacksaw blade. It would cut a little slow, but nails wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Bird]

Yep, those Poulans just ain't in the same class as the Husky, Stihl, etc. supposedly, but I've had two of them; one I bought used and one I bought new, and with the luck I had with them, both were in perfect running condition when I gave away the first one and sold the second one, and if I ever need another chain saw, Poulan will be my first choice.

 

[ronjhall]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All seriousness aside, they should make a special chain for cutting salvage lumber and such. Something with hard moly teeth like a coarse hacksaw blade. It would cut a little slow, but nails wouldn't be a problem. )</font>

There is, Its carbide and it is expensive. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
But will do the job. Check out link below.
web page

 

[markct]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All seriousness aside, they should make a special chain for cutting salvage lumber and such. Something with hard moly teeth like a coarse hacksaw blade. It would cut a little slow, but nails wouldn't be a problem.
)</font>

sure do, its called carbide, but the problem is they are very expensive and hard to find someone who will resharpen them since it takes a special wheel, and you cant touch them up with a file either, but they are available if ya have the money, but a better option for salvage lumber is a sawzall or cheap carbide blade in a skilsaw

 

[have_blue]

I BET they're expensive! It may sound ironic, but if I had a carbide chain, I would take reeeeeal good care of it. You would never catch me cutting nails with it! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I bet with careful use it would outlast your chainsaw. Just touch it up with a diamond round file every 50-100 trees, and it would probably cut like new. I know that because my carbide router bits and saw blades are very easy to touch up with a diamond hone.

 

[ronjhall]

Price for Carbide chain is $1.79 per drive link for my 3/8 X .050 X 60 chain at Baileys. That comes to $107.40 for a 16" bar plus shipping. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[markct]

the only application i have seen wide use of carbide chains is rescue applications where they are often in harsh conditions and need to cut whatever it is that needs to be cut to save lives, i know the stihl rescue model saw which is marketed to fire depts and other rescue type personel is equiped with a carbide chain but i know of virtualy no proffesional loggers who use carbide chain, just not economicaly worth it