Anyone making their own chains?

[MDFisherman]

I was looking at the bulk chain reels and was thinking about making my own chains. I was wondering if anyone else is doing this and if its a lot cheaper. I know the start up costs are high but think it would be worth it in the long run.

Thanks

 

[JustWood]

I can buy 20" loops of my preferred style chain already made up for less than $11 each ,free shipping. I do have to buy 10+ loops at a time to get that rate. I checked a few years ago and I was only paying about $1/loop more to buy them premade. I still have my breaker and spinner but it will sit there for that little of savings.

 

[Sealcove]

I was looking at the bulk chain reels and was thinking about making my own chains. I was wondering if anyone else is doing this and if its a lot cheaper. I know the start up costs are high but think it would be worth it in the long run.

Thanks

How many chains are you going through in a year, and are you using every bit of your teeth before throwing away? It is cheaper to make your own, but there is a substantial initial investment for all of that chain and the need for tools. You also have to make sure you use all of that chain in a timely fashion; I have seen it rust right on the roll from air exposure over time so you don't want it sitting there for year after year.

Back when I cut 6-8 cords of my own firewood and did all of my property management, I never used more than 2-3 chains in a year. At that rate, I can't imagine bothering with bulk chain. We do buy at that way at work, with 6-8 people running saws during the busy times, but even at that rate I don't think we save huge amounts of money when you factor time into it.

 

[MDFisherman]

I can buy 20" loops of my preferred style chain already made up for less than $11 each ,free shipping. I do have to buy 10+ loops at a time to get that rate. I checked a few years ago and I was only paying about $1/loop more to buy them premade. I still have my breaker and spinner but it will sit there for that little of savings.

Where are you buying these chains from? I have always preferred the Husqvarna skip tooth chisel chain.

How many chains are you going through in a year, and are you using every bit of your teeth before throwing away? It is cheaper to make your own, but there is a substantial initial investment for all of that chain and the need for tools. You also have to make sure you use all of that chain in a timely fashion; I have seen it rust right on the roll from air exposure over time so you don't want it sitting there for year after year.

Back when I cut 6-8 cords of my own firewood and did all of my property management, I never used more than 2-3 chains in a year. At that rate, I can't imagine bothering with bulk chain. We do buy at that way at work, with 6-8 people running saws during the busy times, but even at that rate I don't think we save huge amounts of money when you factor time into it.

I only go through about 2 chains a year per saw x2 saws so say 4 chains. I have a 18" on my little saw and 24 and 32" bars for my big saw. All the saws use the 3/8 .050 chain so I was thinking it would be efficient to get a roll and make chains for all the different lengths.

I am guilty of not using every bit of the teeth on the chain. I hand file and don't own a grinder. Seems like no matter how well a chain is sharpened theres nothing like a brand new chain.

 

[Sealcove]

I only go through about 2 chains a year per saw x2 saws so say 4 chains. I have a 18" on my little saw and 24 and 32" bars for my big saw. All the saws use the 3/8 .050 chain so I was thinking it would be efficient to get a roll and make chains for all the different lengths.

I am guilty of not using every bit of the teeth on the chain. I hand file and don't own a grinder. Seems like no matter how well a chain is sharpened theres nothing like a brand new chain.

That is the chain use I would expect, and for me that would not be worth buying a roll of chain. My two cents anyway. With good filing, I find that you can make a chain cut better than brand. Do you put the bar in a vice when you file?

Wow a 385xp with a 32" bar! What are you cutting? I am around quite a few commercial loggers and arborists and rarely see a saw like that in New England. Better your arms than mine swinging that thing around.

 

[MDFisherman]

That is the chain use I would expect, and for me that would not be worth buying a roll of chain. My two cents anyway. With good filing, I find that you can make a chain cut better than brand. Do you put the bar in a vice when you file?

Wow a 385xp with a 32" bar! What are you cutting? I am around quite a few commercial loggers and arborists and rarely see a saw like that in New England. Better your arms than mine swinging that thing around.

I have not been putting it in a vice since I typically sharpen in the field between fuel ups. Does that really make that much difference? ( I did watch a Husqvarna video where they showed them doing this)

I can usually get the file to go through smoothly after 3 swipes on each tooth. After prolonged use and repeated sharpening's the teeth are harder to file and don't get as sharp. At that point I toss the chain and grab a new one.


I bought the saw off craigslist and the 32" came on the saw. The guy was ripping boards with it and figured out it costs way to much to run. Then he tried to use it cutting some storm damage trees and he didn't feel comfortable using it. I went out and bought the 24" bar for it and that gets the majority of the use.

To answer your question I am cutting all the stuff that people walk away from because they don't have a big enough saw I have also flushed a few considerable size stumps here and there. Yes it is EXTREMELY heavy but once you get it in the wood and squeeze the trigger it is a thing of beauty!

 

[Sealcove]

I have not been putting it in a vice since I typically sharpen in the field between fuel ups. Does that really make that much difference?

Filing in a vice usually makes a pretty big difference in the outcome. With the bar locked still and two hands on the file you can do a much better job and it is easier. I do lots of filing out in the field miles from a vehicle; even then I carry a stump vice for touch ups (picture below). Of course nothing beats a full size vice on a bench, but a lot of guys will have a good sized vice on a bumper or a big block of wood in the back of a truck.

 

[MDFisherman]

Filing in a vice usually makes a pretty big difference in the outcome. With the bar locked still and two hands on the file you can do a much better job and it is easier. I do lots of filing out in the field miles from a vehicle; even then I carry a stump vice for touch ups (picture below). Of course nothing beats a full size vice on a bench, but a lot of guys will have a good sized vice on a bumper or a big block of wood in the back of a truck.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to pick one up and try it out!

 

[samdweezel05]

If your always buying saws and different length bars it can be handy to make your own chains. Odd length stuff especially. To use a couple of 20" chains a year will take you a long time to pay back the investment.

 

[UncleJoe]

I can buy 20" loops of my preferred style chain already made up for less than $11 each ,free shipping. I do have to buy 10+ loops at a time to get that rate. I checked a few years ago and I was only paying about $1/loop more to buy them premade. I still have my breaker and spinner but it will sit there for that little of savings.

That's about what I pay from Baily's. I thought about making my own but when I can get 14" loops for $8.00 and 20" for $12.00, it just didn't seem worth it for the time I would spend making them and what it would initially cost for the gear.

 

[Fifelaker]

I will use a chain until it starts shedding teeth. I find chains cut the best the last few sharpening's. The pros that sharpen for the Stihl timber sports will take a new chain and file until there is almost nothing left. I also use a smaller file after about 1/2 the tooth is gone.

 

[Jack Fate]

A dear old friend (RIP) said he plunge cut into a tree as his vice. And claimed he sharpened new stihl chains & they made their own chains from bulk stihl rolls .But he did this as a living for over 35 yrs .He dropped veneer trees that were worth thousands of $$$ . And here's the good part ,he could build outdoor furniture with chainsaw nails & hammer. He could long cut boards that looked like they went through a planer & he did it FREEHAND

RIP "JOCKO"

 

[Twisted Priorities]

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to pick one up and try it out!

There are several different stum / log vises. You need to hold that saw steady to get a good accurate file angle.

 

[MDFisherman]

I picked up a blue husqvarna one today along with a cant hook from the Amish. I will be sure to use it next time I reach for the file.

I also found a local shop that will sharpen any size chains for 6 bucks. I will be taking them some 32" chains

 

[guy01]

I bougt one of those cheap $20 ish chain sharpeners at HF and use it once a year to true up my chains during the cutting season I hand sharpen.Works well for me
Guy
hahaha IK so I can't spell