What Brand/Type chain should I buy?

[LD1]

For only $2 more the stihl chain is worth it. Not just for the oiling, but stihl has the best cutters hands down. they last longer.

 

[94BULLITT]

For only $2 more the stihl chain is worth it. Not just for the oiling, but stihl has the best cutters hands down. they last longer.

I agree. Their bars are good too.

 

[TomSeller]

I once had an opportunity to tour an Oregon Saw Chain plant in Portland, Oregon. I asked the plant manager what was the best chain, thinking he would say Oregon over Carlton or Windsor (all Blount chains). He said Stihl did. I asked why, he said it mostly was due to the higher chrome content. We were doing business with Blount at the time, so it wasn't like some tour group with a tour guide and loose lips. The guy knew everything about the place and the saw chains they made.

Oregon is good chain, but you might want to line it up with an Oregon bar.

 

[yomax4]

I have read a lot of posts on other forums about sharpening degree. My standard stihl 33rs or rsc yellow label chains have the line etched on the cutters to show what degree to sharpen. I use an electric sharpener. So, The cutters are between 25 and 30 degrees according to the marks. My question is, What if that angle is altered one way or the other? I need a more aggressive chain to cut the way I want to. Standard full chisel is goo and skip tooth is ok but there has to be some way to get better chips flying. I use an 039 and an 044 mag. Both 3/8 050 72. Any ideas on changing the degree? Some use 60 degrees? wow...

 

[94BULLITT]

I have read a lot of posts on other forums about sharpening degree. My standard stihl 33rs or rsc yellow label chains have the line etched on the cutters to show what degree to sharpen. I use an electric sharpener. So, The cutters are between 25 and 30 degrees according to the marks. My question is, What if that angle is altered one way or the other? I need a more aggressive chain to cut the way I want to. Standard full chisel is goo and skip tooth is ok but there has to be some way to get better chips flying. I use an 039 and an 044 mag. Both 3/8 050 72. Any ideas on changing the degree? Some use 60 degrees? wow...

You can lower the rakers a little to make it cut faster.

 

[yomax4]

I do run my rakers pretty shaved. I was just wondering if I was missing out on something with a steeper cut angle.

 

[LD1]

Steeper cuts faster but dulls quicker. Its a tradeoff. Any angle you change to make it faster dulls faster as well.

 

[yomax4]

Good info. It doesn't seem to matter what I cut, Chains dull quickly. I use a bench top electric sharpener. Would a file make a better edge? Sick of continuous grinding..

 

[94BULLITT]

Good info. It doesn't seem to matter what I cut, Chains dull quickly. I use a bench top electric sharpener. Would a file make a better edge? Sick of continuous grinding..

I like Stihl chains. They cost more money but they stay sharp longer and last longer. Filing the chain won't make it last any longer. Also don't get the tooth hot when you grind it.

 

[cruz54982]

I have cut my own fire wood for over 30 years , tried different saws , chains , angles etc. I agree stihl has the best chains and the steeper the angle the quicker to dull but for me I use 60 angle with 30 for the face and a little extra off the rakers. care not to touch anything but wood helps a lot -not dirt rocks etc. I never have to force my saw into wood and would rather sharpen more often than fight to get a cut.(dry dead oak only for over 15 years )( my 2 cents worth hope it helps.)