Your Choice in aftermarket chains and bars?

[18watt]

Let's hear 'em boys!

 

[04ultra]

check your PM's

 

[18watt]

check your PM's

Thanks 04!

I'd like to hear from more fellas too!

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Whatever is the cheapest....for chains!

Bars.....GB or Stihl!

 

[CaseyForrest]

Ive taken a liking to the GB Ti bars. The Stihl ES bars arent bad either.

I also got a Total bar on my 361, I like that one too.

 

[Hired Gun]

+1 on the GB Titanium... Good stuff!! :biggrinbounce2:

 

[sawinredneck]

#1 Stihl ES
#2 GB Ti
#3 GB Pro Top
Never run a Canon,
Total, or Windsor, but it is very doubtful I will ever buy another Oregon again!!!
Andy

 

[Bob Wright]

GB bars and www.cutterschoice.com chain...Bob

 

[buck futter]

I prefer stihl chain
as far as bars, anyone that'll serve me

alright seriously I have only really used powermatch plus but they seem to do all right.

GB has quite a following if I am in need thats probably the way I will go but I will have to order it online no one stocks them around here that is why I have only tried the stock bars and the oregon PM plus.

buck

 

[CaseyForrest]

Oh, I also use Stihl chain. Pricey, yes, but lasts a long time.

 

[Woodie]

Never run a Canon, Total, or Windsor, but it is very doubtful I will ever buy another Oregon again!!!

What's so bad about Oregon? I've never run one, but I thought they were supposed to be good quality?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Seems that the steel has gotten softer on Oregon bars in recent years........they just don't last.

 

[Big Woody]

I generally prefer the brand hanging in my neighbor's garage

 

[sawinredneck]

Seems that the steel has gotten softer on Oregon bars in recent years........they just don't last.

X2! I am not even happy with the factory Husky bars anymore, way to soft and wear out to fast!!
Andy

 

[musch]

Can any of you vouch for a good online dealer of GB bars and Carlton Chain?

Thanks in advance

 

[oldsaw]

Interesting, I've actually been pretty happy with the 42" Oregon Power Match I bought a couple of years ago. It shows very little wear for the amount of hours on it. Otherwise, I usually use Stihl bars, and been very happy with them.

Chain is a mix of Oregon and Stihl, primarily Stihl on the bigger saws.

Mark

 

[Diesel JD]

I like Stihl and Carlton chain and some Oregon. I think that the Stihl ES bars are best and I've noticed that the Oregon Pro Lite bars wear pretty fast. Power Matcha nd hardnose Oregon bars look like a good product.

 

[NWCS]

best bar is the GB CN-40 Titanium. best chain is Stihl followed very closely by Carlton. i would rate the GB Pro-Top down lower with an Oregon Powermatch plus, good but not impressive.

who tests my chain? i let my dad have at it. he is an expert in rocking chain out and generally destroying it.

test material includes a constant supply of:
heavily creosoted railroad ties
decommissioned telephone poles
used concrete form sheets
recovered plywood
sand covered stumps

so far the worst on chain was the used concrete form sheets. left a brand new stihl chain half worn down. had to be ground away 50% to get back to good top plate material. carlton was about the same. dull chain does not stop him, he just pushes harder. makes for good tests of my mods also!

 

[Stumper]

Many of the Carlton Bars are GB-Bailey's stocks them as well as Oregon, Windsor and Canon (Woodsman Pro) and their own "ArborPro"-which are at least in some cases seem to be from the same souces as the Carltons-same numbering system. Personally I have had no issues with Oregon's pro bars-neithe rPowermatch nor Pro-lites have shown undue wear. Some of the cheaper laminated bars do seem soft --since they are cheap I guess that is reasonable.The GBs I have used are fine bars-so are the SugiHaras.

 

[TopJimmy]

About 20 years ago, I got turned on to Widsor bars, I still am using a couple I got back then. I have no idea if the newer ones are as good. I have several of the Winsor Speed Tip bars and have no complaints, but not enough hours to make a judgement about how long theywill last.

I like the Woodsman Pro chain. Good value, good chain. I have never compared it side by side with the Stihl. I like that I can order it online, unlike the Stihl.

Jim