Since I have become a member here, I have learned to hand sharpen my chains, which is good, except now, I will stretch the chain before I ever use up the chain, plenty of tooth left. Surely I am not the only one with this issue and was wondering what you all did with your stretched chains, I.e. Throw away, take a link out or another use?
What do you do with old chains?
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sunfish
Fish Head
I've not had a chain stretch enough to matter in many many years. You must be doin something way different than I am?
Yes, how stretched are they? To the point that your adjuster wont take up the extra slack?
Never had one stretch to where the adjuster wouldn't take out the slack. I just use them until the teeth are to small to file.
^^^^^^^this FTW
What brand of chain are you using?
backwoodsman42
Chainsaw enthusiast
You also might check your drive sprocket for wear. If it's worn badly it can also add to the slack in the chain.
jgoodhart
ArboristSite Member
When you tension your chain put the bar nose against a hard surface and push down on the top saw handle and tighten the chain till the chain contacts the bottom of the bar. I save my used chains for times when I know I will destroy a chain like cutting roots.
Johnny Yooper
ArboristSite Operative
Never had that happen to me, I'm like Dirtboy, sharpen 'em until the teeth get so small that you feel like throwing the chain away, but I still keep them for the occasional stump and root cutting job - maybe get one or two more sharpenings out of them.....I just hate to do a job like that with a new(er) chain.
They seem to make great knives. Haven't tried one yet.
https://www.google.com/search?q=cha...2&ved=0ahUKEwii-uyPldDJAhVGaz4KHfJdDBIQsAQIGw
https://www.google.com/search?q=cha...2&ved=0ahUKEwii-uyPldDJAhVGaz4KHfJdDBIQsAQIGw
'Stretching' (actually, enlarging of the rivet holes, and/or wearing of the rivets) is mostly noted on longer chain loops. It happens on smaller loops as well, but the small amounts of wear 'add up' to a lot more on a 120DL chain, than on a 40DL loop.
The 'stretched' links will also hit your drive sprocket slightly off, leading to increased wear. That is why they recommend replacing the sprocket and chains at the same time, instead of running a new sprocket with old chains, or vice versa.
That said: if you don't mind wearing out your $5 rim sprocket a bit faster to get more life out of a $20 to $30 chain, 'standard practice' is to take a link or 2 out of the chain, and run it until your get all of the life out of the cutters.
Philbert
The 'stretched' links will also hit your drive sprocket slightly off, leading to increased wear. That is why they recommend replacing the sprocket and chains at the same time, instead of running a new sprocket with old chains, or vice versa.
That said: if you don't mind wearing out your $5 rim sprocket a bit faster to get more life out of a $20 to $30 chain, 'standard practice' is to take a link or 2 out of the chain, and run it until your get all of the life out of the cutters.
Philbert
Trx250r180
Saw polisher
Is your bar getting the paint burnt off from friction and heat ?
Philbert +1. Never had that happen on shorter loops. Longest loop I use now is 84DL but it would add up. You are wearing out the rivet holes. Not enough oil being delivered?
flyboy553
Oakaholic
A friend took my old chains and decoupaged (or however you spell it) them into a bar top he made. It was tongue and groove wood, and he cut the chains and laid them in the groove. Nice looking bartop.
Ted
Ted
I have never in my life had a chain stretch that much. Even when I used box store Oregon chains they would outlast the boxstore Poulan chainsaws. Been using Stihl for 8 years now and still have the 3 chains that I bought with my 440. Never had any reason to replace any of them.
