I've been lurking, searching, and doing lots of reading and just can't find the answer to what will probably be a softball for you experts! Sorry if maybe I didn't search the correct terms or something, my flame suit is on and I'm ready to be edumacated.
So I'm now a wood burner and consequently use my chainsaws alot more than I used to. Been using the stihl 018c a lot because it's light and despite 14" bar does most everything I want it to....I like it a lot.
When I order a new chain they give me a green safety chain, but I would like to try something more aggressive. Been using more aggressive stuff on Huskys by way of fathers neighbor who's a husky guy and gives them to us cause he buys in bulk, so I have no real knowledge other than "here, this is way better than what they sell at the stores, use this."
So the 'stock' chain is a 3/8 (extended?) ppm3 picco chain, 50 links, 0.043 gauge, 61ppm3 50 for 14" bar. First Q, can I put anything better on this bar or am I stuck with this chain? I've read in threads that running non picco chain is not advisable for such a small displacement saw. I can't even find a good explanation of the difference or exactly what a picco 3/8 extended chain is??!! Any good threads or websites that I could do some reading on to tell me the differences here?? I'd like to run a little more agressive chain, hopefully on the same bar? I enjoy bucking 20"+ oak with this small saw....it's fun!! Maybe I'm weird.
Second, and a Q that follows the first, I understand (or I think I understand) that the chain I'm running is a semi-chisel, safety chain. Is there somewhere I can see photo comparisons of chisel, semi-chisel, and whatever else is somewhat common next to each other and then with the safety and non-safety side by side as well?? I understand the safety has something to do with the bumpers before the cutters, but I am interested in the technical details.
Thanx for reading my long post and thanx in advance for any advice, I appreciate it!
So I'm now a wood burner and consequently use my chainsaws alot more than I used to. Been using the stihl 018c a lot because it's light and despite 14" bar does most everything I want it to....I like it a lot.
When I order a new chain they give me a green safety chain, but I would like to try something more aggressive. Been using more aggressive stuff on Huskys by way of fathers neighbor who's a husky guy and gives them to us cause he buys in bulk, so I have no real knowledge other than "here, this is way better than what they sell at the stores, use this."
So the 'stock' chain is a 3/8 (extended?) ppm3 picco chain, 50 links, 0.043 gauge, 61ppm3 50 for 14" bar. First Q, can I put anything better on this bar or am I stuck with this chain? I've read in threads that running non picco chain is not advisable for such a small displacement saw. I can't even find a good explanation of the difference or exactly what a picco 3/8 extended chain is??!! Any good threads or websites that I could do some reading on to tell me the differences here?? I'd like to run a little more agressive chain, hopefully on the same bar? I enjoy bucking 20"+ oak with this small saw....it's fun!! Maybe I'm weird.
Second, and a Q that follows the first, I understand (or I think I understand) that the chain I'm running is a semi-chisel, safety chain. Is there somewhere I can see photo comparisons of chisel, semi-chisel, and whatever else is somewhat common next to each other and then with the safety and non-safety side by side as well?? I understand the safety has something to do with the bumpers before the cutters, but I am interested in the technical details.
Thanx for reading my long post and thanx in advance for any advice, I appreciate it!
