What chain brand YOU buy when u need one now (not online)

[Efisher26]

Stupid question, is a "ripping chain" just a non-safety, no skip chain?

 

[Efisher26]

For lo pro I've switched to TriLink that I can get locally. The cutters are considerably longer than the Oregon 91PX and they cost less too. I find they work very well.

I recently got a loop of TriLink 0.325 full chisel non safety chain at TSC. It seems to cut well even on the factory grind. Interestingly the factory grind was at 30deg rather than the 25deg they specify. The gullets were not well formed, but this is typical with factory grinds. The lengths and angles were all very consistent including side to side - better than the latest loops of Oregon chain I've bought. I still like Oregon 20BPX semi chisel though.

I also use their 3/8 full chisel and it works fine.

I consider chains to be a wear item, and it's more important to keep them sharp than it is to optimize the chain you start with. I don't want to pay a fortune or to have to put it on a credit card and pay shipping for something like that.

Is this the "tri-link"?

 

[Philbert]

Stupid question, is a "ripping chain" just a non-safety, no skip chain?

No. It is conventional chain ground at very different angles for ripping.

Is this the "tri-link"?

Yes.

Philbert

 

[rd35]

Stupid question, is a "ripping chain" just a non-safety, no skip chain?

I have not seen ripping chain myself, however, from what I have learned ripping chain is just a standard chain (usually chisel chain) that has been sharpened with a different profile that optimizes ripping through a log along the wood grain rather than across the grain. I believe one of the main differences it the top plate angle is 0° instead of 25 or 30. Hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Chris-PA]

Is this the "tri-link"?

Yup.

 

[heyduke]

Is this the "tri-link"?

doesn't matter if its trilink or stihl, it won't cut very well until you put it on with the cutters facing the right way.

 

[Efisher26]

doesn't matter if its trilink or stihl, it won't cut very well until you put it on with the cutters facing the right way.

very true

 

[PA Dan]

doesn't matter if its trilink or stihl, it won't cut very well until you put it on with the cutters facing the right way.

I thought the same thing at first glance. But if you look I believe that's a scabbard on the bar. If so the chain is on correctly!

 

[Full Chisel]

Stihl chain all the way. By far the best quality I have found...the cutters stay sharp longer and they don't stretch as much. And a lot of the loops of RS come spooky sharp out of the box and cut like hell. Definitely worth the extra few clams, IMO.

 

[heyduke]

I thought the same thing at first glance. But if you look I believe that's a scabbard on the bar. If so the chain is on correctly!

yeah, you're right.

 

[Efisher26]

I thought the same thing at first glance. But if you look I believe that's a scabbard on the bar. If so the chain is on correctly!

Oh! He said because of my picture?? Lol, that just a bar sheath.

 

[Chris-PA]

TriLink Lo Pro:


TriLink 3/8 full chisel:


TriLink 3/8 semi chisel with gaurd links removed in very hard hickory:


New loop of TriLink 0.325" with factory grind:

 

[heyduke]

TriLink Lo Pro:


ew loop of TriLink 0.325" with factory grind:
View attachment 526799

that's an interesting tie strap on the .325 in the last attachmen, different from the others.

 

[svk]

Stihl chain last much longer than anything else. If I only had one or two saws I'd run Stihl chain exclusively.

Now that I've contracted CAD I've been buying more Oregon lately as it's much cheaper than Stihl.

 

[Efisher26]

So from what I can see it's worth buying a loop of stihl at $30, just to compare to what I'm used to...

 

[Chris-PA]

Stihl chain last much longer than anything else. If I only had one or two saws I'd run Stihl chain exclusively.

Now that I've contracted CAD I've been buying more Oregon lately as it's much cheaper than Stihl.

It's a cost benefit thing - I buy Stihl files because they are cheap and good and I can get them at the local ACE. I use them on other chains, and it only takes a couple of swipes to keep them sharp. The only Stihl chains they have there that fit my saws are some 62DL 0.050" gauge lo pro with horrid looking safety thingys, and I'm sure not paying extra for those.

 

[Efisher26]

Ya I fixed a stihl for a friend that had a stihl chain with a very odd looking safety link or raker or somthing

 

[Full Chisel]

So from what I can see it's worth buying a loop of stihl at $30, just to compare to what I'm used to...

Unless you are buying 24"+ chains you need to find a source with better prices...

 

[Efisher26]

We have 2 saw dealers in the area, and they are not afraid to price gouge. Baileys has what I need for $24 plus the shipping

 

[PA Dan]

Unless you are buying 24"+ chains you need to find a source with better prices...

I am lucky to have three Stihl dealers withing 15 minutes and another three or four on routes I regularly travel. I'm amazed at the differences in price on chains between them. I buy most of my parts at two of them and Glock37 shops at one of those two. We spend a lot at that dealer and he gives a pretty good discount. Shop around you will find cheaper prices. I use Stihl and Oregon chain. I think the Stihl stays sharper longer and the Oregon is easier to sharpen.