More Important

[Kenskip1]

So I am thinking about age. Mine in particular. I just had my left knee totally replaced. So here is my question. What is more important to you as a saw operator. Cutting speed or the size of the chips from the cut. Mine is the size of the chips. This tells me that the chain is doing the job meaning that I have done mine. I can wait another second or two but I have viewed others that appear to be throwing saw dust but are still making the cut. Yes there are many variables here. Anyway just something that I wood toss out and see if it wood stick.
Here is what the after surgery looks like. Staples have been removed. I have one more week of therapy left. All is slow going but getting better each day

 

[farmer steve]

So I am thinking about age. Mine in particular. I just had my left knee totally replaced. So here is my question. What is more important to you as a saw operator. Cutting speed or the size of the chips from the cut. Mine is the size of the chips. This tells me that the chain is doing the job meaning that I have done mine. I can wait another second or two but I have viewed others that appear to be throwing saw dust but are still making the cut. Yes there are many variables here. Anyway just something that I wood toss out and see if it wood stick. Ken

As I near 70, speed of the cut is not as important to me as how good the chain is cutting. Yes a sharp chain will cut faster and is easier on the saw and the operator. 1 second slower in the cut isn't going to ruin my day. Hope your knee gets better.

 

[PV Hiker]

As long as the cutters are sharp and proper and the depth gauges are set to the wood in front of me, I have the time to let the saw do it's thing and don't try to get in a hurry.

As you said "have viewed others that appear to be throwing saw dust but are still making the cut." could be that their depth gauges are high and are cutting thinner cuts with a sharp chain?

Hope your knee rebuild turns out good for many years forward.

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

Speed of the cut. My head is usually far enough above the stream of chips, and my focus is on the saw, not the saw's waste flowing out of the cut. If the saw is cutting as quickly as I'm used to, all is well, otherwise I stop, shut down and examine the chain.

That said, as an occasional wood cutter and not a pro, I have the time to clean the saw(s) and sharpen the chain at the end of a day's work. I almost never begin a day cutting with a chain that I have not touched up with a file before the saw was put on the shelf.

Good luck with your rehab and best wishes for a speedy recovery.