tdi-rick
Addicted to ArboristSite
I started to post an answer on another thread re chain gauge, and thought I might open it up for general discussion.
Common chain gauges sold here vary from NA.
Stihl are sold with 0.063" gauge here, and husky 0.058".
0.050" (what I have on my saw) is a bit of a bastard child in this country in the larger 3/8" bar sizes.
The reason given to me for this has to do with the hardness and density of our timber. It's claimed that 0.050" chain stretches too readily with the heat generated in the cut as a lot of our hardwoods (our most common timbers by far for firewood, fencing and flooring) range in density from about 670kg/m3 up to well over 1000kg/m3 green, seasoned around the 1200kg/m3 region. Compare this to Radiata pine (common introduced plantation timber here) at only around the 380-480kg/m3 region.
Even our native softwoods, like White Cyprus Pine (used a lot in inland regions as it's termite resistant) has a density of 590kg/m3.
Then we get into the hardness side of things.
A few common hardwood Janka hardness's in N.
Blackbutt 8.9, Grey Ironbark (commonly used structural timber and for firewood) is 16.3, Red Ironbark 12 (same usage as Red), Brushbox 9.1, River Red Gum 10.
Softwoods.
White Cyprus 6, Radiata 3.3, Douglass fir 2.3-3.
Combine the density with the hardness, how would this change your selection of chain regarding chain cutter style, kerf, gauge and chain speed for our common hardwoods ?
All of the pro's I know use a semi-chisel style cutter. I haven't met anyone who uses a full chisel (yet).
Thoughts ?
Common chain gauges sold here vary from NA.
Stihl are sold with 0.063" gauge here, and husky 0.058".
0.050" (what I have on my saw) is a bit of a bastard child in this country in the larger 3/8" bar sizes.
The reason given to me for this has to do with the hardness and density of our timber. It's claimed that 0.050" chain stretches too readily with the heat generated in the cut as a lot of our hardwoods (our most common timbers by far for firewood, fencing and flooring) range in density from about 670kg/m3 up to well over 1000kg/m3 green, seasoned around the 1200kg/m3 region. Compare this to Radiata pine (common introduced plantation timber here) at only around the 380-480kg/m3 region.
Even our native softwoods, like White Cyprus Pine (used a lot in inland regions as it's termite resistant) has a density of 590kg/m3.
Then we get into the hardness side of things.
A few common hardwood Janka hardness's in N.
Blackbutt 8.9, Grey Ironbark (commonly used structural timber and for firewood) is 16.3, Red Ironbark 12 (same usage as Red), Brushbox 9.1, River Red Gum 10.
Softwoods.
White Cyprus 6, Radiata 3.3, Douglass fir 2.3-3.
Combine the density with the hardness, how would this change your selection of chain regarding chain cutter style, kerf, gauge and chain speed for our common hardwoods ?
All of the pro's I know use a semi-chisel style cutter. I haven't met anyone who uses a full chisel (yet).
Thoughts ?
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