How to change chain - homeowner

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onecruiser

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I own a Stihl 260 and am interested in changing the chain with bulk chain to save a few bucks versus buying the correct length at my local dealer. Do you get a connector of some sort? What is the process?
 
Read everything on this page. There is a chapter on breakers and spinners.

Just like most chains, you cut the length you need off the roll, and make the loop with a master link.
You can make chains without a breaker and spinner, just grind the rivet head off and twist the chain, or stick a screw driver in and pry, it will fall apart. Then put the master link in and carefully peen the rivets over with a hammer.
Even if you have a breaker, take a second or two to grind the head off the rivets, it make the breaking much easier.
Each spool comes with a handful of master links, or you can buy them seperately from a dealer.
 
Before you buy your bulk chain you should check out some of the online suppliers. C.C. has pre cut loops that if you buy 10 or more are cheaper than buying a roll of chain. This is for 20" oregan.
 
Mike gave you accurate information; but, a 'breaker/spinner' set is best for making your own chain loops in the Shop, and the set runs close to $100 bucks. And you have to learn to use that breaker with good lighting, or you will break the 'pin' often. Cost is about $5 each for replacements. BUT as Mike said, if you can grind down the link pins before using the breaker, it reduces the possibility of breaking the breaker pins. Catch 22 is getting the chain roll near a grinder, letting out enough chain so you can put the pin link to the grinder wheel, etc etc. Unless you have a portable hand grinder wheel.

There are a lot of small tools for doing this more 'manually' ie, check out Madsen's, Bailey's and CC among others. I've just found these to be more difficult personally, and would be suitable for field use; but, I make my loops in the Shop, not out in the field anyway.

Now the real test is just how many loops a year do you expect to use??? Because buying the loops in quantity discount as mentioned by DustyDog72 makes a lot of sense if you are only going to be needing a few loops? Whats a few? Maybe ten or so a year? The cost difference figures out to be about $3 bucks a loop or less (depending on length); and, it will take you a long time to recover the cost of a 'breaker - spinner' set at that rate.

You've been given some good advice so far; so do your homework and decide what's best for you and your situation.

Tom
 
I have a "breaker" but never use it, just grind the head off and twist, wiggle,
etc.
Get a good price of pre-cut loops of Carlton, and do not bother with it,
I have seen some good prices mentioned here. Stihl's chain prices have just taken a
big jump as well as their oil prices.
 
West Texas said:
Now the real test is just how many loops a year do you expect to use??? Because buying the loops in quantity discount as mentioned by DustyDog72 makes a lot of sense if you are only going to be needing a few loops? Whats a few? Maybe ten or so a year? The cost difference figures out to be about $3 bucks a loop or less (depending on length); and, it will take you a long time to recover the cost of a 'breaker - spinner' set at that rate.

Tom

Here`s a real life scenario to consider unless you are using significant quantities of chain other than 20" loops.

A 100' roll of 3/8 chain contains 1640 drive links. Divide 1640 by 72, the standard dl count for a 20" loop, and you get 22.78, so what this means is that you can spin 22 loops out of a roll and have 56 dl left over.

If the average cost of a 100' roll of non-Stihl chain is $225 from a mail order supplier, it`s easy to see that loop price is about $10 each. If you check out this link for a representative loop price,10 pack you`ll see that you can get 10 chains for $99.50. A better deal than rolling your own and with no additional labor!

Obviously the deal changes if you need 16" loops, of which you will get 27 with 20 dl left over out of a roll, but $225 divided by 27 is still $8.33 each. Does this justify the expense of buying decent tools to break and spin your own? It depends on how many loops you realistically expect to spin in your lifetime.

Russ
 
Fish said:
I have a "breaker" but never use it, just grind the head off and twist, wiggle,
etc.
Get a good price of pre-cut loops of Carlton, and do not bother with it,
I have seen some good prices mentioned here. Stihl's chain prices have just taken a
big jump as well as their oil prices.


A Dremmel will also work
 
Once again, thanks! I don't how I got started with this chainsaw thing. I bought one to take down a few trees after a hurricane 10 years ago. Now I own a couple and my father in-law had me clear a 20 foot by 1/4 mile swath through his woods for a road last month.

The kicker is I like it.
 

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