Saw Chain Help

Go Bucks · May 24, 2009

I have a Stihl 066 with 28" and 20" bars. I am looking for a fast and aggressive chain. I mostly use the saw to move downed trees of all sizes, and to cut firewood. In looking at the Stihl and Oregon web sites, its hard to decipher all of the numbers and purposes. Any ideas??

Thanks!

SawTroll · May 24, 2009

The most important pat is that the gauge and pitch of the chain fit your bar and drive sprockets.

Assuming you use 3/8", I suggest Stihl RSC or Oregon LP/LPX for clean wood, or Stihl RM (semi-chisel) for "dirty" wood.

gregz · May 24, 2009

For fast aggressive chain use Stihl RSC,just be sure not to use it in dirty wood

Go Bucks · May 24, 2009

gregz said:
For fast aggressive chain use Stihl RSC,just be sure not to use it in dirty wood

ok thanks.. now.. pardon my ignorance... what do you mean by "dirty" wood vs "clean" wood??

Go Bucks · May 24, 2009

in looking at the stihl site, i have one RS chain for the 28" bar and a carbide for the 20". what is the difference between the RS and RSC?

Go Bucks · May 24, 2009

also... what are the advantages / disadvantages of the "Full Skip" chain types?

BobL · May 24, 2009

Go Bucks said:
ok thanks.. now.. pardon my ignorance... what do you mean by "dirty" wood vs "clean" wood??

Dirty means logs/branches dropped into the dirt, or even just grit and dust trapped in the bark.

I assume you know that sharp and aggressive chain requires sharpening more often to maintain its cutting ability and unless you pay to have the chains sharpened, slightly more skill in sharpening to its opti?

RSC has less vibration than the RS

Go Bucks · May 24, 2009

BobL said:
Dirty means logs/branches dropped into the dirt, or even just grit and dust trapped in the bark.

lol.. oh... i thought there was more to it than that...

maccall · May 24, 2009

The "C" is for "Comfort", it's supposed to be a smoother ride. Stihl says it provides a "unique sawing experience", other says the older RS did cut a little faster. Probably not the biggest issue.

Full skip means there's two "empty" links between each cutter on the chain, while a standard chain has only one. Makes it possible for a smaller saw to run a longer bar, or for a larger saw to run a really long bar. Also makes chip clearance better when using really long bars, and some people likes the fact that it takes less time to sharpen a skip chain. They don't like to be told they actually have to do it more often though...

And welcome to AS! :cheers:

maccall · May 24, 2009

Oh, runner-up posting

...

HuskyPete · May 24, 2009

Go Bucks said:
in looking at the stihl site, i have one RS chain for the 28" bar and a carbide for the 20". what is the difference between the RS and RSC?

The 066 doesn't need skip chain for a 28" bar. On RSC the cutter and tie straps are different. You can still get RS in 404 chain. I would skip the carbide because you can't sharpen it yourself with out a grinder. :clap:

BobL · May 24, 2009

Go Bucks said:
lol.. oh... i thought there was more to it than that...

There's also yard and farm trees that can have wire, nails, bolts, concrete, steel posts etc and some trees absorb silica so their wood is more abrasive than you'd expect (I don't know what these trees are in North America)

litefoot · May 24, 2009

maccall said:
oh, runner-up posting ...

lol!

barneyrb · May 24, 2009

maccall said:
Oh, runner-up posting ...

Every time you post I try to kill that dang bug...

:cheers:

Wild Knight · May 24, 2009

Go Bucks said:
I have a Stihl 066 with 28" and 20" bars. I am looking for a fast and aggressive chain. I mostly use the saw to move downed trees of all sizes, and to cut firewood. In looking at the Stihl and Oregon web sites, its hard to decipher all of the numbers and purposes. Any ideas??

Thanks!

If you are cutting rounds that have been on the ground a while, then try the RMC chain. It's good chain. Go Buckeyes!

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