bar and chain gauge question

[timothykamp]

I have a stihl 290 with a 16" bar and chain. I am looking to upgrade to a larger bar (20"). What type of chain should I buy? I have used low kickback, and I dont know what the difference between low and regular is. I cut a lot of oak and hickory (green) and split it for firewood. I occasionally find myself maxing out the saw (cutting like 2ft or 3ft logs) when I cut up a trunk of a big oak. I am looking for the fastest cut possible, yet I would like to be able to sharpen the blade with a file. any suggestions

thanks

 

[sawinredneck]

Look for som RM or RSC chain, the reduced kickback is a bit of a misnomer, and I find I hav better control and a lot less vibration with the increased kickback chain. If you feel confident, and it seems like you have done a lot of cutting with it, I would find some RM or RSC, easy to file and cuts much nicer!! You will hear of the Stihl being called yellow tag or sticher, that is the better chain.
Andy

 

[Brushwacker]

RM stihl chain or semi-chisel is easiest to sharpen and usually stays sharp better in average firewood conditions.

 

[SawTroll]

Look for som RM or RSC chain, the reduced kickback is a bit of a misnomer, and I find I hav better control and a lot less vibration with the increased kickback chain. If you feel confident, and it seems like you have done a lot of cutting with it, I would find some RM or RSC, easy to file and cuts much nicer!! You will hear of the Stihl being called yellow tag or sticher, that is the better chain.
Andy

Right!
RSC is very nice, but keep at least one RM/RMC for use in dirty wood! :biggrinbounce2: :biggrinbounce2:

 

[computeruser]

If you're running .325" pitch chain, to with Stihl RS for the clean wood and RM for the dirty. Your saw will do just fine with that chain on a 20" bar - that's what I ran on my 290 and I was quite pleased.

 

[SawTroll]

..... RM for the dirty. ....

RMC!

 

[timothykamp]

so the RM and RMC - what is the difference in gauge and stuff? I'm not sure i'm totally understanding

 

[SawTroll]

The only difference between RM and RMC is that the RMC has an anti-vibe chasiss, as has the RSC ande RSC3.
The feature is copied from Oregon LP, VP, BP etc, after Oregons patent went out.....