Impressed with an Oregon safety chain? Nooo, can't be

[oldsaw]

I put the spare chain on the Super XL a couple of weekends ago. Its one of the Oregon Vangard chains with the weird bent over raker. I only made a couple of cuts with it, most of the cutting was done by my friend, Lester. He cut up most of the half trailer load of dirty walnut that we hauled out.

To make a long story short, I used the chain a bit about a year ago, then put it in the bag, forgetting to sharpen it. I dressed the chain tonight, but it didn't really need it. I cleaned out some huge walnut chips out of the thing. The Super XL was in rare form that day. Must have gotten a good tank of gas, since it was just tearing through the logs.

Anyway, safety chain that cuts (good thing), and Oregon chain that holds an edge like none I've used before. Hey, it came on a bar on closeout at a farm supply store in Iowa...what could be better? The only thing that sucks is those stupid rakers. Memo to self: The price was right, the chain cuts, and holds an edge in pretty dirty wood.

Not bad, Oregon.

Mark

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I have one of these and I just sharpened it (Needed to practise on something), Im kinda torn on the funky rakers.





Looks like Ill have to compare it to some regular chain now to see if I can tell a difference.

 

[tcscmo]

I've been using a rm chain on my 260 for cutting brush and trees up to 12 inches, for several months. I had to switch to the rm2 back-up chain the other day. I was satisified. Flew threw the cedar and oak. Sharp chains always make me smile.

 

[ericjeeper]

Mu biddies PS5100S came with that funky rakered chain too..

I looked at it and just said
to myself.. Oh well it cuts great.

 

[toolmaker]

Anyone have a pic of these funky rakers?

 

[John Ellison]

I think it is the ones like the dorsal fin on the killer whale in the movie Free Willie. The problem is lowering them. A lot of filing.

 

[trimmmed]

I think it is the ones like the dorsal fin on the killer whale in the movie Free Willie. The problem is lowering them. A lot of filing.

I agree.

 

[PES+]

Do you mean the tie strap bumper? you don't have to sharpen it all this type chain is a "rocker" type cutter so the strap does not interfere till you get way back on the cutting tooth. This type chain cuts great but will not bore cut at all due to it's intended purpose. That "dorsal fin" shape is what keeps the teeth from grabbing as it travels around the nose of the bar hence is reduces kickback immensely but it negates bore cuts completely

 

[PES+]

Correction..I was thinking of the Xtra-guard design chain. The curved raker like you have I profile the raker with a wide shaped stone concave shaped by hand on my belsaw 505 Have also touched it up in the trees with a narrow square file but it is a pain to deal with those rakers

 

[oldsaw]

I think it is the ones like the dorsal fin on the killer whale in the movie Free Willie. The problem is lowering them. A lot of filing.

And tricky to keep even over the chain. I like the "Free Willie" reference, even though I'm trying to forget about the movie.

The first chain on the page shows the picture. Vangard

Mark

 

[ray benson]

Only used the chain on 1 oak tree. Seemed ok but I prefer the lg chain. Here is a vanguard chain.

 

[bump_r]

...and the first chain on Stihl's site is their version, picco micro narrow (PMN)

Is there a special method of lowering the depth gauges of this design? Two nights ago I knocked ,ime down to .025 via normal flat-file method. How bad did I hose this chain?

http://stihlusa.com/chainsaws/types.html

 

[Cut4fun]

Go to 3/8 standard chain on this link. http://www.brownandwiser.com/oregon_cross_ref.html
I ran a loop of that type chain and could not tell the difference in it between my oregon full chisel and Windsor full chisel chains. All stayed sharp in the clean wood i was cutting and stayed sharp forever IMO.