What I needed was Stihl 26 RS 74. Brilliantly bought a pair of chains that are 26 RS 72. Just realized the mistake when they were delivered today. Yep, those 2 links actually make a lot of difference. No way these chains will fit on my MS261. So, what are my options here, other than returning them to the seller? Can I buy a couple more links and put them on the chain? If so, where would I buy links from?
Bought the wrong chains from e-bay. Now what?
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Jon1270
Minister of Fire
Adding links requires special tools that, even in their Harbor Freight versions, cost more than it would be worth for doing it yourself. You can either have Stihl dealer lengthen them, or sell them on eBay yourself and buy the right ones. Having the dealer do it is the quicker, and probably cheaper, option.
Jon1270
Minister of Fire
Actually, returning them to the seller is probably the cheapest thing to do if they take returns without a restocking fee. Even if they do normally charge for restocking, they might waive the fee if you buy the replacement chains from them.
I don't even know what that fits. Thats a .063 chain, so nothing else out of the Stihl line that I know of unless there is a weird Oregon bar that's a tad bit shorter. If you knew what ran it you could sell it around here or maybe on eBay. Me, I'd keep it because I'm bound to eventually buy something that needs it, lol.
Think I found my answer:
4 of these: http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains.../Stihl-26RS-Chainsaw-Chain-Per-Drive-Link.axd
1 of these: http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...aker-Spinner-Combination-with-Chain-Chart.axd
Then, I can just buy rolls of chain and make my own. More tools the merrier.
4 of these: http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains.../Stihl-26RS-Chainsaw-Chain-Per-Drive-Link.axd
1 of these: http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...aker-Spinner-Combination-with-Chain-Chart.axd
Then, I can just buy rolls of chain and make my own. More tools the merrier.
That "price per link" is the price per drive link for a loop of chain that Baileys will make for you.
Piecewise, you would need four drive links, cutters (do you need LH or RH?), and tie straps and presets. Extra presets are good to have because there is a learning curve for spinning. These pieces alone can be more expensive than eating the return shipping cost for your two chains. If you can't find them online, you need to find a Stihl dealer that will sell them to you.
Just did the math ! That's twice the cost my supplier charges !
Think I am going to head over to the Stihl dealer and see what it will cost to add 2 links or take off 5 links. 67 drive links will work in a 16" bar that my buddy runs. I got the chains for around $15 each, and the dealers here charge $30+ for them. So, if it costs less than $20 I will have the dealer fix them up. If it is more than $20, I am going to buy the tools for myself and see which of the 3 local Stihl dealers will sell me the drive links, cutters, tie straps, and presets. I might learn something new out of this debacle. Knowledge is power.
Jon1270
Minister of Fire
My local dealer shortened a chain for me a few months ago, and I think he charged me about $2. Shortening means punching out 2 rivets and installing a new preset link. Lengthening would be more, but still might be worthwhile.
Just got off the phone with Clark's Ace Hardware and was told it is around 50 cents per link to have them added. Going to cost me more in gas than to get these chains fixed, but well worth it for the end result. Actually, gas might be less, since it is only 10 miles round trip.
maple1
Minister of Fire
I just stop at the Stihl dealer, hand him $25 (plus applicable taxes), and he hands me the right chain.
Sometimes Ebay & online shopping just isn't all that, I have found over the years.
Sometimes Ebay & online shopping just isn't all that, I have found over the years.
Made the trip there and back. Cost was 90 cents per chains (i.e., 45 cents per drive link), but I didn't have an additional cutter added. Think this is how these became 72 drive links instead of 74. Whoever tried to make the chains screwed up and did not have the cutters aligned properly. No way an additional cutter could have been put on because it would have matched up with a left or right cutter that was already there.
Total cost to me for both chains, after sales tax, was $1.91 and $1 in gas since it is 10 miles round trip and the car gets 32 mpg. Not too bad of a screw up in the end.
Also put the chains on my saw and made sure it runs with them. No problem there.
Made the trip there and back. Cost was 90 cents per chains (i.e., 45 cents per drive link), but I didn't have an additional cutter added. Think this is how these became 72 drive links instead of 74. Whoever tried to make the chains screwed up and did not have the cutters aligned properly. No way an additional cutter could have been put on because it would have matched up with a left or right cutter that was already there.
Total cost to me for both chains, after sales tax, was $1.91 and $1 in gas since it is 10 miles round trip and the car gets 32 mpg. Not too bad of a screw up in the end.
Also put the chains on my saw and made sure it runs with them. No problem there.
Total cost to me for both chains, after sales tax, was $1.91 and $1 in gas since it is 10 miles round trip and the car gets 32 mpg. Not too bad of a screw up in the end.
Also put the chains on my saw and made sure it runs with them. No problem there.
Made the trip there and back. Cost was 90 cents per chains (i.e., 45 cents per drive link), but I didn't have an additional cutter added. Think this is how these became 72 drive links instead of 74. Whoever tried to make the chains screwed up and did not have the cutters aligned properly. No way an additional cutter could have been put on because it would have matched up with a left or right cutter that was already there.
Total cost to me for both chains, after sales tax, was $1.91 and $1 in gas since it is 10 miles round trip and the car gets 32 mpg. Not too bad of a screw up in the end.
Also put the chains on my saw and made sure it runs with them. No problem there.
I am too cheap for that. I did that on my first two chains at the same time I bought my saw from the dealer. $26 for RMC and $32 for RSC. While I was just there, it was the same price as back then and 33 RSC 84 is $42. Meanwhile, on e-bay I have bought 33 RSC 84 and 26 RSC 74 for less than $20 a loop. Saved about $300 to $400 buying chains this way. 21 chains and this is the first hiccup. Scratch that, 25 chains because I bought a pair of chains for both my brother and dad.
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