Newbie question here.....chain selection

[mossjc]

Hello everyone.......first time poster, long time reader. I have a few questions regarding chain selection for milling.

I guess my main question is what chain should I use for my milling? I am running a 660 with a 36" bar and am milling mesquite trees in South Texas. The bar on the saw is the Rollermatic that came with it from the dealer. The chain that came on it does a decent job, but after reading on here, it sounds like there are better options out there. My knowledge about chains is very limited so I would appreciate it if someone could point my in the direction of a good chain to use on this saw.

By the way, I have only been doing this for about 6 months, but I thoroughly enjoy it! Started out with a Stihl 391 with a 25" bar and and just recently upgraded to a 660 with a 36" bar.....man, what a difference in power! It even put a smile on my beautiful bride's face when she saw how much faster it cut than the 391 (she helps me sometimes)!

 

[mad murdock]

Welcome to AS. I would recommend getting on Bailey's web page , and outfitting your saw for .050" chain, might need to get the right sized drive rim and bar for .050 chain, then get the correct sized loop(s) of stihl 63x picco ripping chain. You will like the yet increase in feed rate you will experience over what you are using now. The "oil-o-matic" feature of the chain really helps in keeping lube on the bar, over other I have used. Got any pics of that mesquite? Some nice wood that is!

 

[mossjc]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to find a chain that I could use with the factory setup (i.e. Bar and drive sproket) that is currently on the saw. I will try to post some pictures of the mesquite......if I can figure out how!

 

[mossjc]

Going to try and post a few pictures of some little projects the wife and I did for Christmas presents.....mainly cheeseboards with torqouise, malachite (sp?), and black inlays. Also, a lazy susan and some crosses.....working on a kitchen island wine rack right now. Have the bottom completed and finished...waiting on the slabs for the top to finish drying in the kiln. Hope these pictures post............

View attachment 273394
View attachment 273393
View attachment 273395

 

[mossjc]

Here are a few pictures of the kiltchen island/wine rack before I sprayed it with laquer....sorry I cant figure out how to rotate the orientation correctly...........
View attachment 273396
View attachment 273397

 

[excess650]

What chain does your 36" bar take? 3/8 .050", 3/8 .063". .404 .063"

My 36" is 3/8 .050, so I either run 3/8 .050 ripping chain (Bailey's) or Stihl RM (semi-chisel).

 

[Dave Boyt]

Mossjc, welcome to the forum! I started out with a chain saw mill, but wound up getting band mill. I still use the CSM, though on the wide slabs that won't go on the mill. At the top of this thread is the stickey "CSM 101" It is a complete course on chain saw milling, and is a great reference. Good luck, and keep us posted on how things are going! That mesquite looks pretty!