Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[sean donato]

I did a small stand of pines for a friend about 7 years ago or so. Nothing bigger then about 12". Figured I'd play with a few chains on the 346xp. 16" .325. Took the depth gauges nearly clean off one of the chains. Wow educated like right away. If you could hold onto the saw it would cut, but man was it nasty lol. Never did that again. Tossed another aggressive but less aggressive chain on it to finish the day out with. Never even think about doing something like that in hard woods. Come to think of it I shouldn't have done it in the pines either but it was an oh let's just see how it cuts kinda thing. I do file a bit greedy depending on the circumstances, but not enough that I would have an issue passing the saw off to someone working with me.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

I did a small stand of pines for a friend about 7 years ago or so. Nothing bigger then about 12". Figured I'd play with a few chains on the 346xp. 16" .325. Took the depth gauges nearly clean off one of the chains. Wow educated like right away. If you could hold onto the saw it would cut, but man was it nasty lol. Never did that again. Tossed another aggressive but less aggressive chain on it to finish the day out with. Never even think about doing something like that in hard woods. Come to think of it I shouldn't have done it in the pines either but it was an oh let's just see how it cuts kinda thing. I do file a bit greedy depending on the circumstances, but not enough that I would have an issue passing the saw off to someone working with me.

Hell yeah brother!

I've been known to play with fire like that before! Witch brings me to my next point!

Cut, safe, stay sharp, and be aware!

 

[chipper1]

I did a small stand of pines for a friend about 7 years ago or so. Nothing bigger then about 12". Figured I'd play with a few chains on the 346xp. 16" .325. Took the depth gauges nearly clean off one of the chains. Wow educated like right away. If you could hold onto the saw it would cut, but man was it nasty lol. Never did that again. Tossed another aggressive but less aggressive chain on it to finish the day out with. Never even think about doing something like that in hard woods. Come to think of it I shouldn't have done it in the pines either but it was an oh let's just see how it cuts kinda thing. I do file a bit greedy depending on the circumstances, but not enough that I would have an issue passing the saw off to someone working with me.

Do not try this at home kids lol.
I like a hungry chain myself, but not too hungry so it bogs the saw bad when let self feed.
Have you experimented with square yet, my favorite aspect is how smooth it is(its safyer because of that), my least favorite aspect is how expensive files are. Just ordered a dozen round files for $20 delivered, one double beveled file is around 15 delivered. Once I get my barn set up I'll probably run a lot more square, but I have gobs of round chains sitting here. I need to square up an x-cut chain, I don't think I've done that yet .
I should drop a 346 P&C on a 353, been a while since I ran a 346. I did run one of the 550mk1's yesterday, they run well, but if you have a problem...

 

[HighRidgePines]

Working up 16 logs. It is nice having a buddy in the “earth moving” business. When he pushes them over I help him by cutting root balls and tops off. Some of them get delivered to my place.

 

[Philbert]

Do you teach the fundamentals of running a power saw? I've been thinking about holding a few classes myself. I see a lot of week end warriors from town out on the logging roads near my rural community working old cull decks and attempting to fell standing dead. A lot of people without much skill or knowledge on the subject. It's fifty miles to the nearest hospital out here! I'd like to offer a few classes on the basic fundamentals and the safety concerns when running power saws. A lot of these weekenders need it I'll tell ya!

I teach chainsaw use and safety to disaster cleanup volunteers in groups I work with.

Tremendous liability if you are not covered by a business, group, etc. Even our local STIHL dealers will not instruct beyond starting a saw.

Philbert

 

[ValleyForge]

I teach chainsaw use and safety to disaster cleanup volunteers in groups I work with.

Tremendous liability if you are not covered by a business, group, etc. Even our local STIHL dealers will not instruct beyond starting a saw.

Philbert

it’s a shame we’ve let lawyers destroy so much of who we are as a people….

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Do not try this at home kids lol.
I like a hungry chain myself, but not too hungry so it bogs the saw bad when let self feed.
Have you experimented with square yet, my favorite aspect is how smooth it is(its safyer because of that), my least favorite aspect is how expensive files are. Just ordered a dozen round files for $20 delivered, one double beveled file is around 15 delivered. Once I get my barn set up I'll probably run a lot more square, but I have gobs of round chains sitting here. I need to square up an x-cut chain, I don't think I've done that yet .
I should drop a 346 P&C on a 353, been a while since I ran a 346. I did run one of the 550mk1's yesterday, they run well, but if you have a problem...

Do you have a square grinder? I tune most all my chains with my square grinder. In fact, after I spin up a loop off the spool. I immediately put it on the grinder, because I've set the stone dressers on the grinder to change the angles of the top plate and side plate on the cutters at a steeper degree than factory. It may not stay as sharp as long as the factory angles, but they definitely stay sharp plenty long enough, and my square tuned chains cut way faster than a factory square chain. A very considerable amount faster also. Not to be too cocky, but in my opinion. They actually make a factory chain seem dull compared to how my chains perform after the angle changes on the cutter plates.

I use a beveled file to touch them up every now and then in the woods if they need it. Usually from cutting to deep past the wood and into that brown soft stuff on the other side! Wuts it called again? Oh yeah, dirt! Yes beveled files are more expensive than round files, but they last much longer in my opinion. Especially if just touching up a ground chain, and they can also be used to bring your rakers down when needed. Round files are great for removing gulets out of a square chain when nessasary. However I also use a grinder for that as well. I have the time, a large supply of saw chain and the equipment to grind. I feel grinding is the only way to go if you really want a perfectly tuned high performance saw chain with every cutter being uniform and perfect. Besides that, the chain simply cuts faster, smoother, straighter, and is less stressful to bars and power heads. That's also why I throw ribbons and not chips in softer wood!

As far as steepening top and side plate cutter angels for hard wood? I couldn't tell you if would be better than the factory angles or not because I have very little experience in hard woods.

Cut safe, stay sharp, and be aware!

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Scored a Chestnut Oak off the neighbors land…it was a 32” dead standing nightmare he was afraid to cut into…it’s awaiting the Wolfe Ridge…..

it’s a shame we’ve let lawyers destroy so much of who we are as a people….

That's what I was afraid of. I don't want someone sueing me because I gave proper instruction on how to properly tune a chain, buck a log, or how to stop someone from bleeding to death, and then they accidentally cut themselves bad, and then "claim" my instruction was inadequate! I really didn't even want to get into the felling side if it. I'm my opinion. That should be one on one instructor and student training over a course of a few days in the woods, and that's just for very very basic safe felling fundamentals. Intermediate and advanced felling in my opinion. Should be left to a professional! Typically, there's too much go'ins on go'n on. Especially if there is any amount of difficulty or technique involved!
I was under instruction for several months under three different cutters over the course of my break in period. One cutter for every different stage of my training. Then, after the third instructors recommendation that I was ready to start felling my own strips of timber solo. I still had to cut with the "Bull Buck" ( lead cutter/felling forman) for two weeks just so he could make sure of the final call on weather I was ready or not! Talk about the most nervous two weeks of my life!!!

Cut safe, stay sharp, and be aware!

 

[chipper1]

Do you have a square grinder? I tune most all my chains with my square grinder. In fact, after I spin up a loop off the spool. I immediately put it on the grinder, because I've set the stone dressers on the grinder to change the angles of the top plate and side plate on the cutters at a steeper degree than factory. It may not stay as sharp as long as the factory angles, but they definitely stay sharp plenty long enough, and my square tuned chains cut way faster than a factory square chain. A very considerable amount faster too. Not to be too cocky, but in my opinion. They actually make a factory chain seem dull compared to how my chains perform after the angle changes on the cutter plates.

I use a beveled file to touch them up every now and then in the woods if they need it. Usually from cutting to deep past the wood and into that brown soft stuff on the other side! Wuts it called again? Oh yeah, dirt! Yes beveled files are more expensive than round files, but they last much longer in my opinion. Especially if just touching up a ground chain, and they can also be used to bring your rakers down when needed. Round files are great for removing gulets out of a square chain when nessasary. However I also use a grinder for that as well. I have the time, a large supply of saw chain and the equipment to grind. I feel grinding is the only way to go if you really want a perfectly tuned high performance saw chain with every cutter being uniform and perfect. Besides that, the chain simply cuts, faster, smoother, straighter, and is less stressful to bars and power heads. That's also why I throw ribbons and not chips in softer wood!

As far as steepening top and side plate cutter angels for hard wood? I couldn't tell you if would be better than the factory angles or not because I have very little experience in hard woods.

Cut safe, stay sharp, and be aware!

Yes, i have square grinders, round grinders, and a depth gauge grinder, most times I file on the saw for my personal use. Haven't used a grinder in quite a while, except to grind the safety humps off a chain lol.
First load split.
And just to be clear, this is the same load of rounds I showed yesterday lol. Funny, yesterday goggle pics sent me a message saying they found "similar" pics .
More to come.

 

[sean donato]

Yeah I run square ground on my 36" bar and have a few loops for the 24" bar. Run round ground full chisel on the smaller "work" saws. I think I bought the last 3 square file save edge made. Cost a fortune compared to the round files. Sadly I cut a lot of dirty wood and the round chisel just stays sharp longer. I really hate this safety chain the ms400 came with. I never pulled the scabbard off to look. Just took the file to it. Really didn't like the factory grind. Should do a good bit better now.
I also got the high output oiler in the mail today. Got that installed. Tell you this much, the plunger has a noticeable amount of travel over the stock one. It better have the tank near empty when it's out of fuel.
Kinda felt guilty taking a new saw apart lol. Husqy has spoiled me with good pumps for long bars. Not used to this save the oil philosophy.
I really should get the 346xp out and get it running again, but it's not much lighter then the 562xp or this ms400. Think it's right around 11lbs and the ms400 comes in around 13lbs. 2lb difference doesn't matter much for the much higher power output. Guess I'm just showing my disdain for the 50cc class of saws.

 

[chipper1]

Yeah I run square ground on my 36" bar and have a few loops for the 24" bar. Run round ground full chisel on the smaller "work" saws. I think I bought the last 3 square file save edge made. Cost a fortune compared to the round files. Sadly I cut a lot of dirty wood and the round chisel just stays sharp longer. I really hate this safety chain the ms400 came with. I never pulled the scabbard off to look. Just took the file to it. Really didn't like the factory grind. Should do a good bit better now.
I also got the high output oiler in the mail today. Got that installed. Tell you this much, the plunger has a noticeable amount of travel over the stock one. It better have the tank near empty when it's out of fuel. View attachment 992644
Kinda felt guilty taking a new saw apart lol. Husqy has spoiled me with good pumps for long bars. Not used to this save the oil philosophy.
I really should get the 346xp out and get it running again, but it's not much lighter then the 562xp or this ms400. Think it's right around 11lbs and the ms400 comes in around 13lbs. 2lb difference doesn't matter much for the much higher power output. Guess I'm just showing my disdain for the 50cc class of saws.

Nice.
Hope it oils well for you.
We all can like different things at the end of the day it's about getting wood cut. I don't run my 60cc saws much, except to run them lol. I just go from 50 to 70 normally working, but when I'm cutting firewood I get the ones that don't get run as often out to play.
Got a load of black locust that's been sitting for yrs thrown in the bucket and into the woodshed, heading out for a couple loads of BL from the neighbors woods now.

 

[chipper1]

View attachment 992607
Working up 16 logs. It is nice having a buddy in the “earth moving” business. When he pushes them over I help him by cutting root balls and tops off. Some of them get delivered to my place.

That's a great partnership.
And some great looking wood.
What is the wood that the bark is peeling of from.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Yeah I run square ground on my 36" bar and have a few loops for the 24" bar. Run round ground full chisel on the smaller "work" saws. I think I bought the last 3 square file save edge made. Cost a fortune compared to the round files. Sadly I cut a lot of dirty wood and the round chisel just stays sharp longer. I really hate this safety chain the ms400 came with. I never pulled the scabbard off to look. Just took the file to it. Really didn't like the factory grind. Should do a good bit better now.
I also got the high output oiler in the mail today. Got that installed. Tell you this much, the plunger has a noticeable amount of travel over the stock one. It better have the tank near empty when it's out of fuel. View attachment 992644
Kinda felt guilty taking a new saw apart lol. Husqy has spoiled me with good pumps for long bars. Not used to this save the oil philosophy.
I really should get the 346xp out and get it running again, but it's not much lighter then the 562xp or this ms400. Think it's right around 11lbs and the ms400 comes in around 13lbs. 2lb difference doesn't matter much for the much higher power output. Guess I'm just showing my disdain for the 50cc class of saws.

What displacement is the 400? 60cc I take it?

 

[SS396driver]

Went back today got the Poulan for free with this Homie . I also bought a real nice Foley 1055 with all the attachments picking that up tomorrow my truck was full

 

[Lee192233]

What displacement is the 400? 60cc I take it?

67cc. I have one as well. Put 3 tanks through it last weekend and love it.

 

[HighRidgePines]

That's a great partnership.
And some great looking wood.
What is the wood that the bark is peeling of from.

I wish I could tell you. Still not good at all about identifying. All that I have gotten in the past has been oak, hickory and some ash.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

67cc. I have one as well. Put 3 tanks through it last weekend and love it.

Around the same power as the older 044 I imagine?

 

[Lee192233]

Around the same power as the older 044 I imagine?

Not sure. It sits nicely between my MS460 and 026. Maybe @farmer steve has run a 044.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

I did a small stand of pines for a friend about 7 years ago or so. Nothing bigger then about 12". Figured I'd play with a few chains on the 346xp. 16" .325. Took the depth gauges nearly clean off one of the chains. Wow educated like right away. If you could hold onto the saw it would cut, but man was it nasty lol. Never did that again. Tossed another aggressive but less aggressive chain on it to finish the day out with. Never even think about doing something like that in hard woods. Come to think of it I shouldn't have done it in the pines either but it was an oh let's just see how it cuts kinda thing. I do file a bit greedy depending on the circumstances, but not enough that I would have an issue passing the saw off to someone working with me.

What is the displacement on a Husky 346? I slapped a 16" on my 660 a couple times. But that was with .50 gage 3/8. I'd like to try .325 on it just to satisfy my curiosity on the power gain and chain speed. I'd be werie and suspect to parting the chain though! I'm not even sure anyone makes a .325 sprocket that will fit the drum on a 660? Unless it's a totally custom made special order sprocket or drum! I've parted 32" loops before of .63 gage 3/8 full skip! That was years ago on one of my 066's

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Not sure. It sits nicely between my MS460 and 026. Maybe @farmer steve has run a 044.

Oh ok roger that, so similar to or a little more than a 360 I'm gonna guess?