woodconvert - 23 May 2008 01:13 PM

At cutting approx 25+ face cords a year i’ve had them last 3 years....but they can also last 12seconds if you do it right

Ain’t it the truth. Put a brand new chain on the big saw a few years ago. Started it, turned around facing the huge pile of logs on the construction site and proceeded in less than 12 seconds to find the chunk of concrete with rebar hidden behind the first log.

BrotherBart - 23 May 2008 02:41 PM

woodconvert - 23 May 2008 01:13 PM

At cutting approx 25+ face cords a year i’ve had them last 3 years....but they can also last 12seconds if you do it right

Ain’t it the truth. Put a brand new chain on the big saw a few years ago. Started it, turned around facing the huge pile of logs on the construction site and proceeded in less than 12 seconds to find the chunk of concrete with rebar hidden behind the first log.

Been there, done that… Probably didn’t swear too much I bet?

I was helping my uncle cut out some saplings against some foundations on the property I cut wood on. I touched the foundation with the chain once, just one spark, but I immediately shut the saw down and changed out the chain. I took it in and had it sharpened. Took allot more of the teeth off then I thought. The chain is still serviceable, but I cut the life of that chain in half at least I’m guessing. The elm we cut is very hard on chains! It is loaded with sand and grit. I am lucky to get 1 1/2 pickup loads per chain before I need to take them in and have them sharpened. Yes I have that job done, It doesn’t cost much and they are just as sharp as when they are new! The guys at the shop, hardware store, saw dealer, are truly top notch! When you walk in there is always some one to help you with anything you need there. They all know their stuff, and are more then willing to help out. Customer service like that you just don’t find anymore. That is why I chose the Husky over the Stihl. The people in the store/ shop, and their reputation for personal service.

BrotherBart - 23 May 2008 02:41 PM

woodconvert - 23 May 2008 01:13 PM

At cutting approx 25+ face cords a year i’ve had them last 3 years....but they can also last 12seconds if you do it right

Ain’t it the truth. Put a brand new chain on the big saw a few years ago. Started it, turned around facing the huge pile of logs on the construction site and proceeded in less than 12 seconds to find the chunk of concrete with rebar hidden behind the first log.

I gnarled up a brand new chisel chain on my 046 helping out my dad last winter. There was a storm blew through and knocked over a dead elm. It went across his driveway so I cut it so they could get out (and took the burnable parts off his hands ). Anyhow, when it fell across the driveway one side of the tree had some snow on it. I brushed some of the snow to make sure it was all snow and let er’ rip....I made a couple cuts before I found the stones that were buried in the snow stuck to the side of the tree . Needless to say....that brand new chain reached it’s half life on it’s maiden voyage. Real pisser that was.

kevin j - 13 May 2008 08:22 PM

LOL How do you get APA and actually cutting a tree in the same sentance???


ok what am I missing-my imagination runs amok...... I know of at least the Amer Psychol Assoc, but this one was Amer Pulpwood Assoc. Thinking authors name was RP Skarna or skarma or something.  Can’t find on google or amazon right now, but was in our public library at least I saw it up until a couple years back.

LMAO that explains it. . .where I come from APA=AdirondackParkAgency . . . clearly the biggest bunch of tree huggers on the planet. Sorry about the mix up

Clown&^%- I got the Dremel saw sharpening attachment.  It works great.  At Northerntool you can get an electric sharpener for like $35- I can’t vouch for the quality, but they have a variety of prices too (as much as you wanna spend).

I fully sharpen with the Dremel after 3 tanks of gas (my tank is a bit smaller than yours).  I never remember to flip the bah.  I put the stock safety chain through maybe 10 cord of oak before I got a reasonable chain.

With a 290 and a 16” bar, each tooth sees the wood a bit more often than my saw with an 18” bar- probably not enough to make a difference. 

Remember- if it’s throwing “dust” rather than little chips or curls, then you need to take the depth down a bit on the chain.  If it cuts at an angle all the time- that could also be the depth- at least that fixed that problem for me years ago.