what chain to use?

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Just went to order a chain for my 550xp...has a 325 ...16 inch bar....66DL... .050 gauge .Oregon only offers one chain for that set-up..the LPX !!!! Love when stuff like that works out !!
 
Glad you got want you wanted.

For what it's worth, if you go through a full service dealer, or a catalog like Bailey's, you can have them make up pretty much anything you want.

Pre-made loops offer more limited choices.

Philbert

Thats very good to know as well . Only ever bought the pre made loops . Glad to know I have more options !! Thanks for the info !
 
Glad you got want you wanted.

For what it's worth, if you go through a full service dealer, or a catalog like Bailey's, you can have them make up pretty much anything you want.

Pre-made loops offer more limited choices.

Philbert

I always read that on here. Must be different in other areas. Here in St Louis you'd be hard pressed to find a dealer that could spin new loops. If you do find one you better be patient while they find the crusty old dude that knows how (or even plan on coming back). Even worse, most Stihl dealers only have a few offerings in yellow.
 
Stihl RSC yellow chain (non-safety) is all I use. I have one loop of skip for the 32" bar and haven't really noticed much cutting speed difference compared to full comp on the same bar. The 32" is run on a Stihl 046. I mostly cut pine and doug fir.
 
Guess I am lucky! I know of several shops near me who will make up chain, and a few more that I think will.

These are full service saw or OPE places, not just the hardware place with a few saws in the corner. They might not carry every variety of chain, but they can often order stuff, and some of our catalog vendors and sponsors will make up loops by the link.

If you have a spinner and breaker you can sometimes re-make loops to fit if you find the right type of chain.

Philbert
 
I always read that on here. Must be different in other areas. Here in St Louis you'd be hard pressed to find a dealer that could spin new loops. If you do find one you better be patient while they find the crusty old dude that knows how (or even plan on coming back). Even worse, most Stihl dealers only have a few offerings in yellow.

My Stihl dealer (just West of St. Louis) only has chain in bulk reels. He spins them as needed. The last I bought were $1 per bar inch + $2. A 72dl 3/8 .063 RM chain was $22.
My wait was about 15 minutes for three chains.
The place is a dump and the guys who work there have no tolerance for idiots.
Pretty much the perfect saw shop.
 
My Stihl dealer (just West of St. Louis) only has chain in bulk reels. He spins them as needed. The last I bought were $1 per bar inch + $2. A 72dl 3/8 .063 RM chain was $22.
My wait was about 15 minutes for three chains.
The place is a dump and the guys who work there have no tolerance for idiots.
Pretty much the perfect saw shop.


Where's this "dump" at? I'm also "just west of St Louis".....
 
Give the Oregon DP series a try. I run 72 and 75 DP almost exclusively as i find it cuts everything in my area very well, including hedge and mulberry. It also works great for " firewooding" with so much of what i work on already on the ground or dirty. It's forgiving if you hit dirt or any junk and stays sharp quite a while. I've also done quite a bit of bore cutting with it in walnu, oak and ash with good results.

Just my .02 Hellbent
 
I'd love to help out my local dealer but their prices are always way higher on everything compared to other stihl dealers . Im all about. Helping the local economy but I'm not paying 20% more just to help line their wallets .. Stihl chain rm or rs on eBay can be had for 19.99 a box . Why waste your time with the other stuff . Stihl chain is still the best chain . I know a lot of guys like Oregon but they have 700 different types and they seem soft to me . I cut in the winter a lot the wood is often frozen solid and I need a chain with a high chrome content that's got some hardness that's one reason for me the stihl is my favorite. I've tried others too like Carlton total Windsor Oregon none compare in my opinion
 

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