What is the difference between ripping chain and standard chain? Using 144 drive links 3/8 pitch and .050 gauge. By just eyeballing it, to me it looks like just the angles the cutters are sharpened. Ive been sharpening my ripping chain to 5 degrees off the travel direction and around 10 degrees sloping upwards, about how I got it out of the box I think. Crosscut chain I usually hit at 25-30 degrees and 10 degrees respectively. Reason being is I am hoping to get a standard or skip sequence chain to use to mill with and change the angles on the cutters to smooth out the cut some. Buying pre-made ripping chain vs crosscut chain is at a price difference that if I can just change the angles myself Ill do that. Any help or comments?
Chainsaw milling chain questions
- Thread starter wayahwolf
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
You are pretty much right on. I don't bother to change my angles. I use Stihl out of the box on my 660, and get my dealer to cut my 404 to fit the bars on my 1050. I'm too lazy to swap chains out when I want to mill, and then when I want to cut firewood. I've found with a good solid set of guide rails or guide board, on every cut, I can get the same finish with either type chain.
I buy my Milling chain pretty cheap from my Stihl dealer.
I think a 28" chain was about $30 Canadian.
I just get him to make it up from his bulk roll as I need them.
Mine are the standard 10* angle
Thanks for the tips guys. That’s kinda what I thought.
Now I’ve seen others using .404 gauge and have to wonder why? New bar, new chain and drive sprocket. What’s the benefit?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Now I’ve seen others using .404 gauge and have to wonder why? New bar, new chain and drive sprocket. What’s the benefit?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
All of my 100CC + saws came standard with 404. Stihl 880's come with 404. People talk about the waste from bigger chain, phooey. If I cut 2 1/2" slabs, I'm not going to loose one slab out of a 24" log. If you are cutting 1" boards, then you'll have more loss, but, then you're getting into band mill work.
I hit post before I was finished. I like 404 because the bigger teeth seem to take more abuse., I've cut barbed wire fence with the 404 and it snipped it off and knocked a little chip off of 2 teeth, 4 total, 2 each side. I've hit barbed wire with 3/8's and it didn't even clip the wire off, and wiped out the whole chain. Some of that might be the 3/8's was spinning at 10-12,000 RPM and the 404 was spinning at 7500 or so.
I feel as though I’ve opened Pandora’s box with this site, so many questions to ask.
That makes sense. I’ve thought about changing my 395 to .404. I’ll price it out to see. I have been wanting a 3120 or 880 for a while now just a big expense fo me. I know it’s worth it. I have been keeping my eyes out for a big saw and have seen a few 084. I know the technology of newer saws is better but I’m just loving for something that will but the price difference is very attractive. How do they do, not compared to the new saws? And then any suggestions on other possible older or newer saws to look out for?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That makes sense. I’ve thought about changing my 395 to .404. I’ll price it out to see. I have been wanting a 3120 or 880 for a while now just a big expense fo me. I know it’s worth it. I have been keeping my eyes out for a big saw and have seen a few 084. I know the technology of newer saws is better but I’m just loving for something that will but the price difference is very attractive. How do they do, not compared to the new saws? And then any suggestions on other possible older or newer saws to look out for?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You should try 3/8 63 PMX/ 3/8 lo pro milling chain on the 660. Finish is as good as any band mill and yes it is narrow kerf compared to 3/8. Look at @mtngun old posts.
getting-serious-about-lo-pro
For my 066 I have 3/8 picco rims, chains, and bars. Takes me a few minutes to change from 3/8 33RS to 63PMX chains
Tough to find the 63 PMX chain at reasonable cost, Logosol/Baileys has a monopoly in the USA.
While it is still an investment, Dave “the chainsawguy” here on AS, has NIB 3120XP’s PHO, for $1399/ Shipped.
Dave also sells through eBay for $1,399 + $89 Shipping
I bought my 3120XP from Dave, before I found him here on AS, several other AS members have bought through Dave as well, and his eBay listing shows 110 sold, last time I looked. Dave is a Reliable and Reputable Seller, I would buy from him again without Hesitation. NO, I don’t get a kick back from Dave
just got a Great Saw at a Great Price from him, and hate to see someone else pay too much for a 3120XPIf you are an eBay member, and have or sign up for PayPal Credit, every so often they have occasional interest free plans for 24 months on purchases over $600, 12 months over $300, that was how I bought my 3120XP, came out to $66/mo, if IIRC
Doug
I actually started searching the site for used saws and came across his listings and was shocked at the price. Can’t beat that price at all for new. Thanks for recommending him. I will be doing more research and more saving. Appreciate all the help and insight with this site.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
