Best chain for this:

[JustRandy]

I have a couple acres that looks like this and I'd like to clean it up, but my problem is cutting this dead wood on the ground is dulling the chain too fast. What can you recommend? It seems like a chain with "big hooks" to rip at the wood instead of cutting it would be ideal. Btw, its all dead, rotten pine.

 

[sawinredneck]

A match?:greenchainsaw:

 

[JustRandy]

I'd like to, but I don't think that's legal.

 

[forestryworks]

semi-chisel... and take about 5 chains with you

just swap them out as you need

look at your chips from time to time,
they'll tell you what you need to do

 

[windthrown]

Stihl RM is non-safety semi-chisel chain. It is all I use for thinning stuff like that, cutting in slash piles, and bucking up old logs. Not so easy to get, but it is good stiff. RM is an older design chain, stays sharp longer, round file easy sharpening. And do not confuse it (or let the shop confuse it) with RM2 safety chain. Stihl stopped making RM2 about a year ago, but some shops still have it.

 

[sawinredneck]

I'd like to, but I don't think that's legal.

Sorry, I had to:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

I'm with Windthrown, try and find some old RM, even if it's safety, it cuts forever in dirty wood!

 

[scotclayshooter]

Stihl RM is non-safety semi-chisel chain. It is all I use for thinning stuff like that, cutting in slash piles, and bucking up old logs. Not so easy to get, but it is good stiff. RM is an older design chain, stays sharp longer, round file easy sharpening. And do not confuse it (or let the shop confuse it) with RM2 safety chain. Stihl stopped making RM2 about a year ago, but some shops still have it.

If they have RMC thats fine also its a lower vibe version of RM, I use it and it stays sharp for ages, Nick a stone cut a wire and it still just keeps cutting!

 

[JustRandy]

semi-chisel... and take about 5 chains with you

just swap them out as you need

look at your chips from time to time,
they'll tell you what you need to do

Keep in mind I'm not a pro. All I know is when the chips begin to look like dust, its time to sharpen the chain. I've been keeping 4 chains on hand, but they're the basic chains you can get from Lowes. High safety, low function pos stuff.

Stihl RM is non-safety semi-chisel chain. It is all I use for thinning stuff like that, cutting in slash piles, and bucking up old logs. Not so easy to get, but it is good stiff. RM is an older design chain, stays sharp longer, round file easy sharpening. And do not confuse it (or let the shop confuse it) with RM2 safety chain. Stihl stopped making RM2 about a year ago, but some shops still have it.

I'm not sure what a semi-chisel is. I was looking around here: http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/types.html They have a RM micro chain... That the one?

I'm also not affraid of grinding any particular cutter design if anyone has any suggestions. I tried grinding down the depth-gauge, but I found that just lets the link "arc" backwards and not cut as well. I also went from a 30 degree top-plate angle to a 15 and that seemed to improve cutting a bit, but not a lot. I've thought about grinding off every other cutter to make a skip chain like the RMF. But, like I was saying, I'm seriously lacking in experience in what works and what doesn't. I'd be wasting a lot of chains trying to reinvent the wheel. :help:

 

[JustRandy]

If they have RMC thats fine also its a lower vibe version of RM, I use it and it stays sharp for ages, Nick a stone cut a wire and it still just keeps cutting!

Wow! No kiddin? That's what I want. I routinely hit the dirt and just hope for the best.

I have a feeling the highest vibration and lowest safety = best cutting.

 

[scotclayshooter]

Wow! No kiddin? That's what I want. I routinely hit the dirt and just hope for the best.

I have a feeling the highest vibration and lowest safety = best cutting.

Its semi chisel so it does not cut just too fast but it gets through the wood just fine, I have only used it in .325 so cant say if its any good in 3/8

Micro is a different chain again its the chain you would use on a MS180 sized saw.
What saw are you using?

 

[JustRandy]

Its semi chisel so it does not cut just too fast but it gets through the wood just fine, I have only used it in .325 so cant say if its any good in 3/8

Mine's a .325 too. I guess that rules out the RM and leaves only the RMC.

Micro is a different chain again its the chain you would use on a MS180 sized saw.

What's a MS180?

What saw are you using?

Yeah, well, if I told you that, nobody around here would talk to me anymore. :blush:

Ok, its a Poulan Pro 46cc with 20 inch bar. When I bought it I had no idea I'd be doing this much sawing. But, I really don't have any complaints about the saw.... Its the chain that's the problem.

 

[sawinredneck]

Mine's a .325 too. I guess that rules out the RM and leaves only the RMC.



What's a MS180?



Yeah, well, if I told you that, nobody around here would talk to me anymore. :blush:

Ok, its a Poulan Pro 46cc with 20 inch bar. When I bought it I had no idea I'd be doing this much sawing. But, I really don't have any complaints about the saw.... Its the chain that's the problem.

You are going to be a fun one aren't you:monkey:

An MS180 is a small Stihl chainsaw.

I'll leave the saw alone. About any chain will cut better than the stock chain on it.
Either know the Driver count, pitch and gauge, or just take the chain to ANY dealer, Stihl, Husky etc. and very VERY humbly ask them to assist you in getting some "good" chain and explain what you are trying to do. I stress humbly so they don't laugh too much. But they should be able to help.

 

[sawinredneck]

Oh come on, I wasn't that mean!!!

 

[JustRandy]

You are going to be a fun one aren't you:monkey:

Like a barrel of monkeys.

I'll leave the saw alone. About any chain will cut better than the stock chain on it.

Actaully, the stock chain cuts pretty good the first cut. :greenchainsaw:

Either know the Driver count, pitch and gauge, or just take the chain to ANY dealer, Stihl, Husky etc. and very VERY humbly ask them to assist you in getting some "good" chain and explain what you are trying to do. I stress humbly so they don't laugh too much. But they should be able to help.

My stock chain is 78 links, .325 pitch, and .050 gauge. The RMC looks like it will fit. Is that the best chain? Or can the guys at the shop do better?

 

[JustRandy]

Oh come on, I wasn't that mean!!!

Mean???? So my feelings of adulation are delusional?

 

[sawinredneck]

Mean???? So my feelings of adulation are delusional?

I'm geting scared now!!!

 

[JustRandy]

I'm geting scared now!!!

Ah... No worries. I'm not a pro and won't be around for long.... Unless you taste like chicken!!! opcorn:

 

[sawinredneck]

Hang as long as you like, your not bothering me any.

A dealer should know what he has in stock that will cut that wild stuff, and being from the area, should have apretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. But they may not have most or any of the suggestions posted in this thread.

 

[JustRandy]

Hang as long as you like, your not bothering me any.

I might check out your general discussion type area if ya have one.

A dealer should know what he has in stock that will cut that wild stuff, and being from the area, should have apretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. But they may not have most or any of the suggestions posted in this thread.

I don't know much about chainsaws, but my experience with "dealers" in general has... well, how do I put this nicely.... They usually focus more on selling stuff than fixin stuff.

 

[sawinredneck]

I might check out your general discussion type area if ya have one.

Not really, it's kind of a free for all around here!!! It's your thread, do as you please!

I don't know much about chainsaws, but my experience with "dealers" in general has... well, how do I put this nicely.... They usually focus more on selling stuff than fixin stuff.

Here's how to work that angle!!
Tell the dealer you really aren't in a position to bu a saw, but are really wanting to get rid of that POS you have as soon as you can afford to. Ask him what he has in stock or can get that he thinks would work good for your aplication, so you have an idea of how much moey need to save up, and you can drop some hints to the wife/GF!! Listen to his pitch, act interested and ask questions. Ask for a catalouge, and I bet he's more willing to help a bit more!!

A sales pitch can go both ways, just have to know how to work the angle!!!