Extra chain storage methods

[16:1mix]

Immediately after ordering some ripping chain from Baileys it occurred to me that as I accumulate different saw chains with various lengths and pitches that I need to find a way to keep them organized. Once they are used in wood and sharpened once they all look the same save for counting out the drive links and measuring the gauge & pitch with a dial caliper.

I settled on the idea that I should get some heavy duty Zip Loc plastic bags and label each bag with the pitch, gauge and drive link count.

Somebodies here have already addressed this problem....what do you do?

Do tell!

 

[Al Smith]

Hang on a nail,works great,been doing it for years.If you toss them in a bucket full of oil and let them drip off they won't rust for decades.

 

[warlock1944]

Immediately after ordering some ripping chain from Baileys it occurred to me that as I accumulate different saw chains with various lengths and pitches that I need to find a way to keep them organized. Once they are used in wood and sharpened once they all look the same save for counting out the drive links and measuring the gauge & pitch with a dial caliper.

I settled on the idea that I should get some heavy duty Zip Loc plastic bags and label each bag with the pitch, gauge and drive link count.

Somebodies here have already addressed this problem....what do you do?

Do tell!

In the pole barn I put a spike for each combo and then letter with a grease pencil what it is. I also store the bar on the same spike. Need to be sharpened in the back and ready to roll in the front with a piece of plastic as a seperator. Works fine for me low cost, easy and kind of GI proof.

The better half can easily fetch as well when needed.


192T 14" 036 16, 16, 20 inch 325 063 pitch, Jonsered 2171 20 and 24 " 375 058

 

[andrewspens]

For storage or for travel?

I picked up a bunch of Plano utility boxes, the whitish ones. Take a pair of end nippers and snip out the dividers. The size a little larger than a pack of cards will work for up to a 18", even a 20" .325 will fit if you cram it. The next size up, a little smaller than a paperback, will even hold my 36" chains. These boxes run about a buck and a half each, get one for each chain. Then use a sharpie or other labelling device, write on the lid the important stuff, saw, bar, DL, gauge. That way, when you pull a chain off to switch, it always has a place to go. It keeps them from getting bashed up in the back of the truck, and they stack real nice, too.

 

[Erick]

I just keep mine in the box it came in on a shelf in the garage, already labeled and self contained pretty easy to find what I'm looking for. I hang all the bars on nails next to the shelf, if I have a chain without a box I put it on the bar it goes on and hang the whole assembly on the nail for the bar.

 

[blsnelling]

The nail or spike in the wall is reat until you need to take a bunch of them with you some where. I been wanting a solution for this as well.

 

[Cut4fun]

I have a 8' 2x4 with nails and labels from 10"-32" (for now) broke down in DL's and work and race chains and labeled to which saw a R-chain goes to, when same DL count.

Work chains if carried as extras, plastic bag marked what it is.
Race chain on the move wrapped up in something soft, marked what it goes to.

 

[spacemule]

Easy. Buy a saw for every chain you have.

 

[ents]

Just buy new ones. Hmmmm, what to do with the old ones. Ahhhh, send them to me.



I keep all the plastic boxes the chain comes in (throw the flimsy cardboard ones away). I've accumulated enough to cover all bases. Mark the outside of the box. Good to go.

Those plastic boxes are also good for holding nuts, bolts, etc. when tearing down a saw or whatever.

 

[2dogs]

I hang the chains on a nail with a label above each size. I think there must be 8 or so nails. Plastic bags have never worked for me but an old piece of canvas or denim tied up with a cord works well for carrying. So does the pocket on Pack Shack bar covers which is what I use most.

 

[SawTroll]

A tupperware type food box for each (pair of) chain, each (oiled) chain in plastic bags inside that.

The boxes are of course marked with a waterproof pen.

 

[Austin1]

I use a empty sour cream or cottage cheese container and mark them with a permanent marker.They stack good on the work bench and the chain does not chew it's way through like a plastic bag.

 

[bushinspector]

Took an old medicine cabinet that i found at a garage sale and placed 4 long screws (3 inches in) inside at the top of the box and labels them with a marker. We had three different chain sizes and used the forth screw to place the chains to be sharpened on it. Placed labeled carbriners on the dull chains to keep them separated.

Mounted the box to the side of the truck by drilling holes all the way through the box and the truck siding and used screws to secure it.

 

[timistall]

Cheapy ziplock or rubbermaid (small) they stack nicely and use sharpie to label them.

 

[Al Smith]

Here's about 12-15 bars I suppose and 30 or so chains.Of course there are more in the shed and on the saws.Plus rolls of bulk and maybe 60 in loops in boxes.You wouldn't think I could not find the right chain at times but it does happen.Maybe a gremlin stole it as I slept.

 

[Cedarkerf]

Ziplock freezer bags work for me easier than dragging shed wall to cutting area.

 

[nikocker]

I'm with CedarKerf . . . Ziplock bags and a sharpie pen are all you need to keep them straight. A couple of nails on the wall for sharp verses dull and you're all set!

Al

 

[Log Splitter]

Throw 'em on a bottom shelf in the workshop. Years later, when cleaning the workshop, throw the rusted together chains into the land fill.

'Nuff said!

 

[reachtreeservi]

I put them in the box they came in. Then put them in a small metal toolbox from sears. It goes under the seat in the F-250. Spare bars go in the big toolbox on the truck.

 

[huskydave]

I use a Margarine container it fits perfectly tight in the saw case next to my saw. It can hold many chains.