Carbide Chain

[chainsaw-57]

Hi,
Anybody have experience with this chain?
Anybody have some for sale? 72DL,3/8,050
Have a buddy that saw an ad and wants to try it. I told him that I did not have the tools to resharpen it and it is expensive.
Thanks, Larry

 

[Walt Galer]

Howdy,

Yes, I have done extensive testing of carbide insert and coated chains. None have ever worked out to be practicle in any stretch of the imaginagtion.

It sounds like you have two of the problems correct: expense, and sharpenning. (There is even a "diamond" file. Expensive and very slow).

The big problem with carbide for this service is that for carbides to do their thing, both the tool bearing the insert, and the work to be cut, have to be absolutely rigid. Any vibration and the carbide frets or chips. Some grades of carbide resist fretting, but these then wear and do not stay sharp even as well as a normal chain.

People believe a carbide chain should cut in the dirt, and they hit a small stone (or may be not so small) and knock off the carbides. Fire Dept. use of the chain is exceedingly hazardous, as the sawchain will sling roofing nails for a block when trying to vent a roof. The K-12 cutoff saw proved a much more practical tool for fire Dept. use.

In summary, I was unable to make carbide chain even show a prayer of being worth it.

Regards,
Walt Galer

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi there, my sentiments were inline with Walts up to about an hour ago. I just got off the phone to a fellow in Prince George B.C. who told me of an up and coming chain manufacturer in Australia who makes carbide chain that can be filed with, get this, an ordinary round file. He saws there is only a 3 thou. of carbide.
It sounds outlandish I know, but this guy should know. He says he has sold it in Hawaii to canoe builders and has a saw history bigger than most. He wouldn't give me the name, but they apparently make 1/2" chisel .080 harvester chain as well.
John

 

[Walt Galer]

Howdy,

The .003 thick carbide gives this away as one of those that has a spark deposited layer of carbides on the outside. Oregon manufactured such a thing as "fire chain". I have done extensive testing of the idea at least three times as it just keeps comming up, because people really get turned on by that word "carbide".

The problem with this idea is that the coating thickness .003 minimum, and usually .005. Since the cutters can never be sharper than the hard coating is thick (because you cant sharpen it. It just breaks off in a blunt edge equal to the thickness) the chain is always guite slow cutting as if dull.

A normal chrome plated cutter in the industry will have a cutting edge plating thickness of .0003 to .0005 as a rule, in otherwords 10 times sharper as filed.

Regards,
Walt Galer

 

[nfp]

i have carbide chain for sale, how many drivelinks do you need? later nfp

 

[chainsaw-57]

Hi NFP,
The chain needed is 72 drive links, 3/8 pitch, 050 gauge. If you can give me a price, I'll let the guy know and hopefully we can do some business.
Thanks, Larry

 

[homelite360]

1/2" pitch i didn't think they made it any more. i have a lot of saws that take 1/2" chain and i need some new chains for a few. it is discourging having a great running saw and no decient chain to cut with the ???? thing. if you could find out who this manufacturer is so other people can benifit from this find.