Does an old chain cut faster than a new chain?

[oldguy]

I've had great luck with chains almost worn out. AS long as the depth gauges are set right they really rip.

This is a well worn semi chisel chain in hardwood on an 036.

I've had great luck with chains almost worn out. AS long as the depth gauges are set right they really rip.

This is a well worn semi chisel chain in hardwood on an 036.

That boxelder cuts pretty easy don't it!

 

[bucketofguts]

A scary sharp chain, round filed and the rakers at the proper height can cut well to the angle line. YMMV.

 

[Wood Doctor]

A "new" chain that as been used in several cuts will likely not cut as fast as a sharpened older chain that has not yet cut a big round. I found that out at a GTG. The sawyer that barely beat me said, "Well, I must admit that I waited until you finished several big cuts before I tapped on your shoulder."

Later he told me that he was also using a skip-tooth chain and high-test airplane fuel, even though it was supposed to be stock competition.

 

[HumBurner]

Oh they didn't get thrown out... they rode around in the tool boxes of the trucks until someone sharpened them or they "rode" home with the guys to get sharpened and used for their weekend jobs.

I never saw a chain in the scrap bin unless it was too far gone.

I'm glad to hear that!

 

[huskihl]

The more worn, the faster they cut if they are sharpened correctly. If you look from the top down, the cutters point out to the left and to the right. As they are filed back they cut a narrower kerf. But the .025” raker height thing doesn’t hold true on an old chain. McBob in Australia figured out that you need to use a 6 to 7° down angle from the cutter to the raker and he was right in my findings. New chain with the rakers at .025” cuts with similar aggression as a worn out chain at .032”

 

[pdqdl]

You need a progressive style depth gauge tool.
It automatically takes the depth gauges down the right amount as the chain wears, keeping the same angle from the cutter to the depth gauge for the whole life of the chain.

Got a link? "same angle" seems like an improbable outcome, and of questionable merit, too.

My mind is open! Show me what you are talking about.

 

[huskihl]

Got a link? "same angle" seems like an improbable outcome, and of questionable merit, too.

My mind is open! Show me what you are talking about.

This is one of many. WCS depth plate. The Carlton file o plate is another. Husky also offers a roller guide with a progressive plate attached to it. Any style gauge that rests on top of a cutter and drops down on an angle and rests on the chain chassis in front of the raker you are gauging, as opposed to the other style that lays across the top of several cutters and is only .025 for hardwood and .035 for softwood