Any of you guys/girls make your own chains? Not talking about commercial guys... Just homeowners.
Spinning up your own chains....
- Thread starter CaseyForrest
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How did you justify the initial investment?
How many loops can you get out of a 100' roll?
How many loops can you get out of a 100' roll?
Good question CF. I would be interested in the amount saved per loop on that 100' roll making 20" loops. IE if you normally can purchase a 20" chain for $20 can you make the same chain out of a 100' roll for $15? What is the average percent savings for the do it yourselfers. My boy gave me a chain breaker/spinner for fathers day last year for the occasional chain I need to take a link out of because I am out of take up and still have usable tooth on the chain.
I searched on ebay for 72lgx and I've found 20" loops as cheap as $14 or so when you buy 10. assuming 22 chains per 100, you would spend $357 to buy 22 20" loops. A 100' roll of 72lgx will set you back about $300 give or take. Add in the cost of the breaker and spinner and you're not gaining much. IMO.
Numbers may work out differently based on length. I think they would be more in my favor spinning up 16" chains (which is what I use the most) because retail on a 16" chain isn't far from a 20" chain.
sent from a field
Numbers may work out differently based on length. I think they would be more in my favor spinning up 16" chains (which is what I use the most) because retail on a 16" chain isn't far from a 20" chain.
sent from a field
If you've already got the breaker and spinner, you're already ahead.
sent from a field
sent from a field
I never buy LGX. The CL is cheaper and is about $285 delivered. Used to be $235 a roll delivered. It's way better when making up long chains or chains for not so common bar sizes. I bought the breaker and spinner at the same time as the first roll of chain. Ebay can come up with some deals on rolls if you watch. I got a roll of Carlton full skip square for $199 delivered.
ChoppyChoppy
Tree Freak
You'll have to price out. What kills it up here is the shipping. A roll of chain is in the area of 50-75 shipping, so $350-400 area.
Not long ago there was a vendor on here advertising loops for really cheap. I have the info in the shop somewhere.
20" loops of Oregon LGX were around $12 and was either free or cheap shipping. You'd have to get a roll of chain for under $260 shipped to beat that.
Edit: Ok at the shop and found my note. It was a place called Comstock Logging Supply out of New York 1-800-579-6831. It was $12.95 a loop for 20". Not sure if that sale is still going on, I'm still trying to find the post they had.
A 100ft roll of chain would make about 22 20" loops, so roughly $290 on a roll. I'm not sure what they sell a roll for, I haven't talked to them.
Not long ago there was a vendor on here advertising loops for really cheap. I have the info in the shop somewhere.
20" loops of Oregon LGX were around $12 and was either free or cheap shipping. You'd have to get a roll of chain for under $260 shipped to beat that.
Edit: Ok at the shop and found my note. It was a place called Comstock Logging Supply out of New York 1-800-579-6831. It was $12.95 a loop for 20". Not sure if that sale is still going on, I'm still trying to find the post they had.
A 100ft roll of chain would make about 22 20" loops, so roughly $290 on a roll. I'm not sure what they sell a roll for, I haven't talked to them.
I ran the numbers for a buddy earlier this year. 20" loop right around $13 is the break even point if you have to buy a new spool, but it's costing me less than that because I got a heck of a deal on the spool.
CoreyB
Addicted to ArboristSite
When I ran the numbers for me I quickly found out that it would be justified if I had 3 buddies who went through as much or more then I do. That means I would Jane to go make 3 more friends and that is just asking way to much. I mean I would have to forfeit my hermit card. That ain't going to happen!
Yep, its looking like there isn't enough savings. Unless one would start selling some to cover some costs.
The breaker and spinner will also allow you to repair chains, too.
I would imagine a homeowner cutting just their own firewood could get by with as few as six chains pretty easily. Making just buying loops look pretty good. One of the vendors here, the one Grand Dog is with, had a great deal going a little while back.
I'd suggest running a batch and as they wear keeping them all about the same tooth length. As the teeth get used up the depth gauge gets lowered but the shorter the tooth the best depth gauge setting increases in measurement. While a new chain may be fine at .025 in time the best setting may be .030 to .035. By having chains at the same phase in their live cycle it will be easier to relate cutting ability to depth gauge setting. With chains at various phases in their life cycles it's harder to get as good of a feel for this measurement. The progressive lowering of the depth gauges may be a bit beyond what most homeowners are in to but it's worth paying attention to.
Good point. Though Ive never damaged a chain.
I did break off a few cutters once on a ground rod someone stuck in a tree, but that ruined the entire chain.
Realistically... Yes. I use a 16" bar 95% of the time and the chain I used last year is the same chain I'm using this year. I do have 3 of each size, but only change chains if one cant be brought back with a file.
I hadn't broken down the retail cost of a spool of chain... Now that I have... It doesn't seem like a good value over buying loops in bulk off ebay.
I did a major edit to my post that you replied.
This is what I use to sharpen...
And its one of the reasons I'm hesitant to buy a grinder. (Although I am looking.) I like taking everything down at the same time.
Altering measurements is beyond the scope I want to put into it.
In dirty wood I will end up two links shorter in a chain before it's dead, that's $7.00 a link at the dealers.
I have 3 saws, and 5 bars of different lengths. 2 of the saws are set up to take the same sized chain, so it made sense to get the spool. When I cut, I CUT, and there's a lot of sand in the bark here. The 2 saws have bars from 20" to 32". I also sent the whole spool to be cryo treated because I feel that it lasts longer between sharpening.
Buying chain by the reel makes sense if you use a lot of chain, and if you use all the same size and type chain. But if you watch for sales on pre-made loops, and stock up, the savings can drop significantly. And if you use different chains on different saws . . . .
As Del_ noted, I think that the real value of owning a spinner/breaker set is the ability to repair and re-size chains. If you 'save' 5 or 6 chains, at $20 per chain, you have basically paid for the Bailey's set. It lets you spin down a chain from a larger bar; replace damaged links; shorten a 'stretched' chain; etc. It also lets you scrounge chains, if so inclined. I have picked up chains at garage sales, flea markets, etc., for $1, 50 cents, or even free - as long as they are the right pitch and gauge, I can usually make them fit. You can also watch for sales of partial reels on eBay, or here on the Trading Post, if something comes along.
Philbert
As Del_ noted, I think that the real value of owning a spinner/breaker set is the ability to repair and re-size chains. If you 'save' 5 or 6 chains, at $20 per chain, you have basically paid for the Bailey's set. It lets you spin down a chain from a larger bar; replace damaged links; shorten a 'stretched' chain; etc. It also lets you scrounge chains, if so inclined. I have picked up chains at garage sales, flea markets, etc., for $1, 50 cents, or even free - as long as they are the right pitch and gauge, I can usually make them fit. You can also watch for sales of partial reels on eBay, or here on the Trading Post, if something comes along.
Philbert
I've shortened/repaired chains with a punch 'n' hammer over a hunk of steel with a slot cut in it... a breaker/spinner ain't a necessity, but it would be a time saver if ya' did that a lot. If I lived, say, 35 miles from a saw shop, I would look at making my own chains... but my dealer/saw shop is less than six miles down the road and open 6 days a week (and he lives in the house next to the shop, so he's "available" nearly 24/7). His prices on loops of Stihl brand chain are fair... I don't begrudge a man for making a reasonable profit on his investment.
There is the "independence" factor... the satisfaction of doing for yourself ain't reliant on cost or savings... but, ya' still have to rely on a supplier for the chain itself. And if chainsaws were your "hobby" (so-to-speak), as in buying, selling, swapping, rebuilding, and the like... well??
My approach is to keep a half dozen or so chains in rotation... so even breaking one doesn't put me into down time. At the same time, I don't use my saw to make my living... I just make my firewood, with the occasional cleanup chore thrown in. I use 16 and 20 inch bars, .325 chain, both RM and RS. I don't know how many loops a roll would get me, but it would likely be a decade's worth... meaning two rolls (one of each) would be 20 years or more of chain. What I'm getting at is... the initial investment for the spinner and 2 rolls of Stihl chain (with shipping) would be substantial, and I wouldn't "realize" any savings for at least 10-15 years. (I, by far, prefer Stihl chain... it-is-what-it-is.)
Heck, I don't have a grinder either... with a half dozen or more chains in rotation there's always a rainy day to file even a rocked chain, and there's always at least one or two sharp a ready to go. Standard chain maintenance with a file on a 16 or 20 inch loop don't take long enough to drink a can of beer... barely ½ a beer. The more ya' do it, the quicker ya' get at it...
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There is the "independence" factor... the satisfaction of doing for yourself ain't reliant on cost or savings... but, ya' still have to rely on a supplier for the chain itself. And if chainsaws were your "hobby" (so-to-speak), as in buying, selling, swapping, rebuilding, and the like... well??
My approach is to keep a half dozen or so chains in rotation... so even breaking one doesn't put me into down time. At the same time, I don't use my saw to make my living... I just make my firewood, with the occasional cleanup chore thrown in. I use 16 and 20 inch bars, .325 chain, both RM and RS. I don't know how many loops a roll would get me, but it would likely be a decade's worth... meaning two rolls (one of each) would be 20 years or more of chain. What I'm getting at is... the initial investment for the spinner and 2 rolls of Stihl chain (with shipping) would be substantial, and I wouldn't "realize" any savings for at least 10-15 years. (I, by far, prefer Stihl chain... it-is-what-it-is.)
Heck, I don't have a grinder either... with a half dozen or more chains in rotation there's always a rainy day to file even a rocked chain, and there's always at least one or two sharp a ready to go. Standard chain maintenance with a file on a 16 or 20 inch loop don't take long enough to drink a can of beer... barely ½ a beer. The more ya' do it, the quicker ya' get at it...
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