Thatās a good honey hole to find.Lucky for us I know a tree service that throws away their dull once used chains so we're set on free chains
So the 1 chain method might change.
Philbert
How Many Chains
- Thread starter KsForester
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
Philbert
KsForester
ArboristSite Lurker
Can that really be cost effective? Well, for the tree service. Super cost effective for you.Lucky for us I know a tree service that throws away their dull once used chains so we're set on free chains
So the 1 chain method might change.
Stihlproincky
ArboristSite Operative
We offered to sharpen for him but he said we could have em.
KsForester
ArboristSite Lurker
Guess I wouldnāt argue with him much about it!
Iāve posted on this before:
āI have had rational conversations with guys who use chains once, then replace them. One made a similar business case for the cost of time spent sharpening, and another said he preferred factory fresh edges. Both of these guys then sold their 'used once never sharpened' chains on eBay or CL: their net cost being comparable to what they might pay to have someone sharpen the loops. A local saw dealer periodically has a quantity of similarly used chains for sale: from what I understand, they have a customer who has worked out a 'trade in' arrangement with themā.
Some guys sell them used, and recover some money. Some build it into their cost of doing business, or their job quote .
Philbert
KsForester
ArboristSite Lurker
That makes sense. Pass the cost to the customer. No ādownā time on sharpening and no expense on equipment or sharpening cost.
No such thing as too many loops.
I carry with me in the woods:
One on the saw (sharpened and ready to go).
Couple of spares in case I hit something.
A sharpened but nearly worn out "stump chain" for the situations where you know you are going to destroy the chain during cutting.
And buy more spares whenever I find a good deal. Set them aside until I need them.
Lightning Performance is correct.
One on the saw (sharpened and ready to go).
Couple of spares in case I hit something.
A sharpened but nearly worn out "stump chain" for the situations where you know you are going to destroy the chain during cutting.
And buy more spares whenever I find a good deal. Set them aside until I need them.
Lightning Performance is correct.
.
Chucksta
What could possibly go wrong??
Kill the chain and then sell it as used.. Darn.. I wish I would have thought of that.. I always figured that when I was cutting for cash, that sharpening a loop paid less than minimum wage.. But it seemed to me ( at the time), that there was just something wrong about tossing out a perfectly good chain that just needed sharpening. To look back at it, especially if I was grinding a damaged chain.. I wasn't even close to making minimum wage for the time I spent.. Even worse on a longer loop.
I know a local guy like that. I was fixing a couple of his saws and ask about the chains. He said he cuts till dull and tosses in a pile and grabs another new one.
Back then I got 5 for a 24 under chain. He was like how many you feel like doing. I was like I hate doing chains myself as it is repetition work on the grinder. So I passed. I dont mind doing 12 or so and under for someone. But didnt want 5gal buckets full of chains dropped off.
I'm up to 6 now for 24 under.
Sometimes if just 1 chain I will just hand file while there on saw.
Back then I got 5 for a 24 under chain. He was like how many you feel like doing. I was like I hate doing chains myself as it is repetition work on the grinder. So I passed. I dont mind doing 12 or so and under for someone. But didnt want 5gal buckets full of chains dropped off.
I'm up to 6 now for 24 under.
Sometimes if just 1 chain I will just hand file while there on saw.
Attachments
Some guys have mentioned āsharpen one : keep oneā deals with certain tree companies.
Philbert
Philbert
I would be well up there- not got a specific count, but 300 is not unrealistic.
Then there are the rolls of chain with more presets than you can point a stick at and all the chain loops hanging from hooks that are not with bars or attached to saws.
Folk around here know, if they cannot get to a store and NEED a chain or a repair- who to call on.
KsForester
ArboristSite Lurker
This has me rethinking taking the time to sharpen vs buying a new chain.
Not to provoke an old preference āfightā, but batches of used chains clean up fast on a grinder, with a little practice.
So, a third option could be to let your dull chains collect, a bit, then batch sharpen on a rainy day.
Philbert
KsForester
ArboristSite Lurker
This is my current method. And no āfightā from me, to each their own.
Same as a previous poster, when I go cutting I take two saws each with a spare loop of chain.
If the cutting needs more than my MS461 can deliver, I'll also bring the MS660 with a spare loop of chain.
If the cutting needs more than my MS461 can deliver, I'll also bring the MS660 with a spare loop of chain.
When ever I go cutting, I have both saws sharpened & 2 loops of freshly ground chain as back up . Better safe than sorry & never say never !
This^
Autograb CBN.
Never going back.
Files in the feild are limited now to brake time when milling or bucking. Killing is swap and run.
About to change every csm to a standoff bolt on bar for quick swaps mounted in the mill. That will save time onsite.
I'd like to see you toss and replace my 166dl 404 every run.
