Safety Chain Vs. Chisel Chain

[AmericanPiddler]

Hey all,
First Post here and hope this is in the right spot, but would like some advice and use it in this video!
Planning on A YouTube video this next week or so, I'm going to compare the homeowners safety chain verse the non safety chisel chain! I'm going to use the Husqvarna 455 Rancher with a H47 chain and compare it to the off the shelf big box store H80 chain! Any advice on the project and possibly what you'd like to see thanks! Here's a link to my YouTube channel called American Piddler! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCID8zazGyhxjMZC4JmvCrhw

 

[AmericanPiddler]

 

[AmericanPiddler]

Anyone have an opinion?

 

[jomoco]

Not a good idea.

We see more than enough homeowners killed and maimed by chainsaws thank you.

Jomoco

 

[AmericanPiddler]

Not a good idea.

We see more than enough homeowners killed and maimed by chainsaws thank you.

Jomoco

You don't think it's a good idea to compare the differences between the H47 chain & H80? Along with a couple others like the Stihl 33RS3 & possibly the H46 or H82 chains?

 

[jomoco]

Pro's already know the diff.

Homeowner's are better off using safety chain period.

Jomoco

 

[AmericanPiddler]

Okay.... then what's the differences not saying your not a pro but you're quick to answer and I'd like to hear you answer on the differences in these 4 chains

 

[jomoco]

Chisel chain should only be used by pro's, whether round ground or square.

Safety chain's the best choice for use by amateurs and homeowners, as it was developed to have the lowest kickback potential.

Safety first mate.

Jomoco

 

[AmericanPiddler]

I will agree with that totally but honestly the H47 is still considered a safety chain with its bumpers... but as far as performance goes between it and the h80 is night and day! But with that performance I'm speaking of it does have a bigger bite and higher kickback so to speak.... listen I'm not saying to put a full blown race saw in the hands of the guy who went to the box store cause he just bought a minifarm and is trading in his desk & stock for a disc & live stock.... it's a simple comparison video showing not only performance but also dangers

 

[jomoco]

May I suggest the firewood forum's the appropriate place to post such vids and ask such questions mate?

Lots of knowledgeable blokes there with lots of experience and many cords of cut wood under their belts.

Jomoco

 

[AmericanPiddler]

Care to share a linl

 

[jomoco]

Here yu go mate!

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/forums/firewood-heating-and-wood-burning-equipment.55/

Have fun and work safe.

Jomoco

 

[bayard]

some cut fast, some cut faster

 

[Gomofast]

Hey all,
First Post here and hope this is in the right spot, but would like some advice and use it in this video!
Planning on A YouTube video this next week or so, I'm going to compare the homeowners safety chain verse the non safety chisel chain! I'm going to use the Husqvarna 455 Rancher with a H47 chain and compare it to the off the shelf big box store H80 chain! Any advice on the project and possibly what you'd like to see thanks! Here's a link to my YouTube channel called American Piddler! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCID8zazGyhxjMZC4JmvCrhw

Ok, I know I'm nearly 4 years late here, but did you ever make this video? I'd be very interested to see it. I just picked up a 455 Rancher, my third saw. I've been using them as a homeowner for several years now, so I'm not new to chainsaws, but certainly not a pro either. I'd really like to see the difference in cutting speed between H80 and H46 and H47. As well as the difference in kickback.

Interestingly, the owners manual for my older 455 Rancher was printed in 2009, and at that time, they recommended all three of these chains in the manual. Now the most recent version of the 455 Rancher owners manual (printed in 2020) only recommends the H80. I know it's a safety thing, but even just a few years ago, they were saying that all three of these chains were ok for this saw, knowing that it was marketed at the top end of "homeowner" saws.

 

[GoBigRed]

Ok, I know I'm nearly 4 years late here, but did you ever make this video? I'd be very interested to see it. I just picked up a 455 Rancher, my third saw. I've been using them as a homeowner for several years now, so I'm not new to chainsaws, but certainly not a pro either. I'd really like to see the difference in cutting speed between H80 and H46 and H47. As well as the difference in kickback.

Interestingly, the owners manual for my older 455 Rancher was printed in 2009, and at that time, they recommended all three of these chains in the manual. Now the most recent version of the 455 Rancher owners manual (printed in 2020) only recommends the H80. I know it's a safety thing, but even just a few years ago, they were saying that all three of these chains were ok for this saw, knowing that it was marketed at the top end of "homeowner" saws.

Since nobody replied to you I’ll give two cents.
Go with a full chisel chain because they cut better...period. The only reason why they sell a semi chisel (don’t call them a safety chain, nobody who runs a saw calls them that), is because people don’t take time to learn what kick back is and why it happens and the company’s lawyers told them to only recommend a semi chisel chain because their design may reduce kickback. So instead of teaching people about what, how, and why, they make idiot resistant tools and equipment.

If you want to increase cutting speed on a smaller 55cc saw, keep your depth gauges set correctly (any saw for that matter) and learn how to keep your chain sharp. Experiment with .025 and .030. Also try a low profile chisel chain. And make sure the saw is tuned with a clean air filter and clean spark screen. If you really want to cut faster, check out videos on doing a little hot rodding. It’s amazing what a rancher can do with a basic muffler mod and tuning the carb correctly

have fun. Saws are cool

 

[Jed1124]

Go with a full chisel chain because they cut better...period. The only reason why they sell a semi chisel (don’t call them a safety chain, nobody who runs a saw calls them that), is because people don’t take time to learn what kick back is and why it happens and the company’s lawyers told them to only recommend a semi chisel chain because their design may reduce kickback.

Semi Chisel and what is called safety chain are two different things. One refers to the shape of the cutting tooth, and the others refers to bumpers between the cutting teeth that is supposed to reduce kick back.

 

[GoBigRed]

Semi Chisel and what is called safety chain are two different things. One refers to the shape of the cutting tooth, and the others refers to bumpers between the cutting teeth that is supposed to reduce kick back.

Yes and no. The cutters shape with a semi chisel was made because it reduces kick back. You didn’t see a semi chisel on any saw made before the 70s. As the “need” to keep people from hurting themselves increased (OSHA starts to get involved) chain brakes appeared, a semi chisel showed up, the “raker” design changed, and some companies added an extra bumper between the links just after the depth gauge. Poulan did this for most of their small homeowner saws and many companies have followed. However, Stihl and Oregon do not add that extra bumper and the semi chisel cutter is their “safety” chain.

Either way, it is a crutch. The point is we should be teaching why kickback happens and how to prevent it. Instead, corporate America gives us inferior products because we don’t take the time to learn how to use things correctly and they need to cover their butts for liability.

Whatever you want to argue about the point is to learn about your tools, understand what they do, use them correctly, and be responsible to eliminate human ignorance. Knowledge and experience keep you from getting hurt when working at home or in the woods. Devices and dumbed down tools just give you a false sense of security.

 

[Jed1124]

Yes and no. The cutters shape with a semi chisel was made because it reduces kick back. You didn’t see a semi chisel on any saw made before the 70s. As the “need” to keep people from hurting themselves increased (OSHA starts to get involved) chain brakes appeared, a semi chisel showed up, the “raker” design changed, and some companies added an extra bumper between the links just after the depth gauge. Poulan did this for most of their small homeowner saws and many companies have followed. However, Stihl and Oregon do not add that extra bumper and the semi chisel cutter is their “safety” chain.

Semi Chisel Stihl Chain comes in the “yellow” variety where you can get full chisel “green” chain with the bumpers.
The main benefit of semi chisel is it does not dull as fast in dirty conditions.
Everything else you said I completely agree with.
https://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/rm/
https://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/rsc3/

 

[GoBigRed]

Semi Chisel Stihl Chain comes in the “yellow” variety where you can get full chisel “green” chain with the bumpers.
The main benefit of semi chisel is it does not dull as fast in dirty conditions.
Everything else you said I completely agree with.
https://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/rm/
https://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/rsc3/

I went out and looked at the chains I have hanging from used saws I bought. and....holy crap, there is a yellow chain that is semi chisel.

I stand corrected. Just never used anything but a chisel chain because in my opinion, they just cut better

 

[Philbert]

There are three, broad classifications of cutter shape: chipper, semi chisel, and full chisel. Full chisel can also be round ground / filed, or square ground / filed.

Chipper chain is rarely used on hand held saws any more, but it used to be more common with the slower, high torque saws, compared to today’s saws. It is still used on some harvesters. It will keep cutting even in muddy, dirty wood, if you have the power to pull it.

Full chisel chain will cut faster, especially in green wood, until that point gets damaged. Then it will slow down. Semi chisel cutters will cut longer in dead wood, and in slightly dirty wood. They are not damaged as easily as full chisel cutters.

Using an analogy for car tires: chipper chains are mud and snow tires; full chisel chains are performance tires; and semi chisel chains are you are your all season radials.

Square ground chains can cut 10% to 15% faster, but require special sharpening techniques.

The low kickback or reduced kickback designation is based on a performance test. It usually requires low-kickback bumpers, but even chains with that feature may not pass the performance tests. Most people will not notice a significant reduction in performance, for average cutting, if the chains are properly sharpened. it gets a bad rap. but I have seen people when speed contests using low kick back chains, due to their skill, Rather than having some kind of special, fancy, chain.

Philbert