oregon different chains

[stubnail67]

So i was messing around with my saws was going to put a 12 inch bar 45 drive link on my echo cs 310 and take off the 14 inch....i noticed besides safety chain there was a huge difference in tooth size ....i will post pics sorry my phone sux but it will be comparison of the one my 2511t came with stock its safety....but the tooth looks the same size as vxl i will post 3 different pics if they came out...checked the factory bars both said 3/8s lo pro 50 i have a loop of 43 gauge some place but when you see the oregon with the smaller tooth is it plain jane px?its what came on the echo refurb from depot....it will take me a minute to post the pics hope they are not to blurry.....

 

[stubnail67]

The first is both safety 2 different teeth size last 2 is the small tooth and brand new oregon vxl right out of the box... the ones in between are different views of the safety chains....

 

[jakethesnake]

The drive link itself should have a number on it. That might help I d them. I honestly don’t know.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

@Philbert

 

[stubnail67]

yea best i could make out on the drive link was oregon LOL and that was with my readers....might be time for a new set hahaha....

 

[stubnail67]

I will spray some carb cleaner on it and get my wife's magnify glass...LMAO...I had such good eyes till i hit 40....now at 50 i need the dam things around my neck......

 

[jakethesnake]

I’m talkin where the link rides inside the bar groove the v looking part. May or may not have a number

 

[stubnail67]

I’m talkin where the link rides inside the bar groove the v looking part. May or may not have a number[/

Yea im pretty sure the only writing above or below is Oregon and below is 91... on the safety chain and the vxl ...im not sure but i think my power pruner is 43 gauge i was thinking it was 43 gauge but it seems to ride in the groove tight... i think its just px... i cant remember vx had a smaller cutter and only one safety bump right?i bet vx would run good in my 2511t if you could still find it.... my power pruner may even be vg... i bought loops in bulk a few years ago for it...but put them in a bag labeled pole saw LOl.....

 

[stubnail67]

i think its px....guess i will be reading about and looking up chains tonight while my sleeping pill hit LOl....

 

[Philbert]

Oregon 3/8 low profile, 0.050 chains are stamped '91' on the drive links.

Oregon 3/8 low profile, 0.043 chains are stamped '90' on the drive links.

VXL chains have longer cutter top plates for extended life.

http://en.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/chain/91VXL.htm

Philbert

 

[stubnail67]

Oregon 3/8 low profile, 0.050 chains are stamped '91' on the drive links.

Oregon 3/8 low profile, 0.043 chains are stamped '90' on the drive links.

VXL chains have longer cutter top plates for extended life.

http://en.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/chain/91VXL.htm

Philbert

right and the vx were shorter like px with out extra safety bump right? so what chain is there with a small cutter that's not safety ....???are there any ?the reason i ask is i want the least amount of stress on my new echo cs 2511t....vxl is alot of tooth... it pulls it but why not make it a lil less on the saw....

 

[stubnail67]

let me reword that...

 

[stubnail67]

I just bought a bunch of gb bar combos love them i still want to use them but the vxl has that long cutter... while its great lasts a longer time is there a lo pro 3/8s 50 gauge 45 links with a smaller cutter? i read your chain threads and Jeremiah Johnson's stuff about the stihl chain... being in florida it gets hot i wanna keep the saw cool as i can besides keeping it clean ans sharp.... is there an alternative chain with a smaller cutter?would px be less drag? I guess im going to go buy a 45 link px and see if it makes any difference.....maybe a loop of the stihl...also.... i like fast cuts but i want to make the lil saw last but use the bars i just bought if i can.....

 

[stubnail67]

all good i will try all my ideas and let ya all know what if any difference can be had....

 

[Deleted member 149229]

Have you considered NK, narrow kerf? You would have to buy a NK bar.

 

[jakethesnake]

Shouldn’t really be any difference so long as you keep the chain sharp. Tooth length won’t matter as they are progressively shorter front to back. Friction from tooth length should be non existent. Find a nice thin bar oil. Only the very leading corner and side plate should touch the wood

 

[stubnail67]

Have you considered NK, narrow kerf? You would have to buy a NK bar.

yes i have.....i mean its pulling the vxl or the pxl that was on it no problems the vxl is grabby till its sharpened a few times.....i sharpen with every use or any time i even think its dull.... so maybe it wont be a big deal like the one guy said the more you sharpen the smaller the tooth gets.... seems like vxl cuts faster at its half life maybe... i am over complicating it LOl.... i never worried about anything except keeping the saw air filter clean and chain sharp till i found this site....Now my wife thinks i should seek an addiction class for the saws....and chains and the only lube she cares about is astro glide LMAO! Ya all have a good night !!!!Ima go see if i can talk to her about my bar!

 

[SawTroll]

right and the vx were shorter like px with out extra safety bump right? so what chain is there with a small cutter that's not safety ....???are there any ?the reason i ask is i want the least amount of stress on my new echo cs 2511t....vxl is alot of tooth... it pulls it but why not make it a lil less on the saw....

That used to be VX, and before that VS (if memory serves) - but those are discontinued.

You could take a look at Stihl PM or PS of course if you can find them where you are (avoid PM3 and PS3 if you don't want "green" chain).

 

[SawTroll]

Have you considered NK, narrow kerf? You would have to buy a NK bar.

As far as I know NO 3/8" lo-pro NK (like Oregon 90) without bumpers ever has been offered by any chain brand. I don't necessarily know everything about this though, so I may be wrong.

 

[Philbert]

Generally, shorter length cutters have only been used by chainsaw carvers (finer detail), and by some racers (less mass). As a practical matter, most people (or saws) will not notice a difference. The biggest reduction in motor load will be by running a sharp chain.

If you go beyond the 'top 3' chain brands (STIHL, Oregon, Carlton) you may find other options. TriLink has been advertising a full chisel, 3/8" low profile chain for a few months - I assume that this is designed to compete with the STIHL PS chains. Archer is another chain brand that has been discussed a lot recently in this forum, and may have other options.

If you want to stick with Oregon chains, the narrow kerf Type 90 chains actually cut fairly aggressively if sharpened with their prescribed 4.5mm (11/64") diameter file, instead of the more common 5/32" file, while removing less wood - this is due to a different cutter profile.

Philbert