I need a quick lesson on chains......

muncybob said:

I took my saw to a local dealer and said I want to cut some big trees...he looked at the saw and said "not with that chain you won't". I knew I needed a new chain and I've read some about full chisel so I said to him (trying to sound like I sorta knew what I was talking about)...guess I need a full chisel, huh? Yep was the reply and I was then told what I had on the saw was a chipper.

So I've heard about safety chains, full chisel/semi chisel and skip tooth. I now know what a chipper chain is but I really have no idea why one chain would be preferred over another or just what each type of chain is best suited for...any quick answers for me?

As for the chisel chain...all I can say is WOW! Why didn't I do this sooner?

Click to expand...

From here, I can't see what your "big trees" look like. Wondering here how the chain alone is the problem, unless you'd destroyed it- rocked it or tore cutters off.

"Full chisel" rings no bells here. There's "round ground chisel" and there's "square ground chisel." Practically for you (and me) there's chipper and "round ground chisel" for suitable cutter profiles. The chipper is curved looking from front/rear; chisel is very angular. Unless you're cutting Sitka Spruce or such monsters, you probably won't see difference between chipper and chisel.

The two practical types mentioned can be sharpened readily with a round file, not the square ground chisel, which can be "converted" with a round file.

Notwithstanding all this stuff, the BIG story here is that you absolutely need a properly sharpened chain, or you're going to be beating on the engine, bar, and yourself. I learned hand-filing during college summers in the '60s from a master, and have used a Granberg guide for 35 yrs, making it easy to keep cutters razor-sharp with a few strokes. Grinders easily remove lots of metal. A DULL saw is dangerous- it snags stuff and kicks/pulls on the bar.

The condition of the chain is so important, that you learn how to protect and preserve its little teeth. Rocks are EVIL.

You do carry a spare chain, don't you?

muncybob said:

I took my saw to a local dealer and said I want to cut some big trees...he looked at the saw and said "not with that chain you won't". I knew I needed a new chain and I've read some about full chisel so I said to him (trying to sound like I sorta knew what I was talking about)...guess I need a full chisel, huh? Yep was the reply and I was then told what I had on the saw was a chipper.

So I've heard about safety chains, full chisel/semi chisel and skip tooth. I now know what a chipper chain is but I really have no idea why one chain would be preferred over another or just what each type of chain is best suited for...any quick answers for me?

As for the chisel chain...all I can say is WOW! Why didn't I do this sooner?

Click to expand...

If you want to know about chains, go to the Chainsaw FAQ on ArboristSite.com.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=148248

Just a warning about ArboristSite, there's a ton of info there. I made the mistake of searching for "muffler mod" last weekend and lost several hours there.

And here's a link to a PDF on chains.
http://www.sawchain.com/images/complete book.pdf


Enjoy.