Square ground chain faster or not?

[Billy_Bob]

If square ground chain is not any faster than round ground chain…

*And* square ground chain is more difficult to learn to sharpen than round ground chain…

Then *why* would they continue to manufacture it and why would anyone buy it?

I should think that if there were no advantage in its use, then they would discontinue it...

I know some loggers who will round ground file a square ground chain. I suppose they are not the ones doing the ordering, but why not order a round ground chain in the first place if that is what you want?

 

[Lakeside53]

'cos it cuts like nothing else.... Full skip square on and 036 or above is very nice... All my pro guys buy it, but most sharpen it to round the first time. At least you get the first few hours... A few shops have the right grinders to sharpen it, most don''t. We don't do it by hand as it's hard to get it perfect.

 

[ehp]

Square ground is faster than round ground period, it is not that hard to file just alot different than round ground, you just have to pay more attection to what you are going

 

[Lawn Masters]

after running round and square ground oregon 72 chains, I have to say, in the same wood, with the same bar, sprocket, and everything, square IS faster. I'm liking the results of it myself. I have a loop of oregon 72LG, and 72CL in my inventory, for my Jonsered, with a 60 dl setup on it, VERY fast with both, but the CL is just slightly faster, and substantially smoother cutting.

 

[Dennis Cahoon]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gypo Logger

A well filed round ground chain cuts as fast as sq. chain for work, it's just that sq. chain is much smoother.John
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis Cahoon

.......Ahhhhh Bullsh!t! Maybe your square ground chain, but not mine! If ground properly, square ground chain is much faster.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gypo Logger

Ah Bullsh!t Dennis! You take a 72CL and I'll take a 72LG and we'll file them right out of the box. Then we'll see who's faster you cull!
John
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Gypo, this would be a good chain test to try at Russ's GTG. Take a round chain with you and make a timed cut, then compare your square ground chain. Let us know how it turns out, and I'll take the square ground for $20. Hahaha Dennis

 

[Dennis Cahoon]

AH SHUT UP! What would you know about filing a chain anyway. By the way how's that 2100 coming along. I thinking I might have to send it to DozerDan for some of his new Redneckology.
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Little Ginzo,

If you show up at Russ's GTG, let Lambert run one of those chains I sent you, againist his round chain for time. Hahaha.....Better get a piece of the bet! It will be EASY MONEY!!

 

[Billy_Bob]

To *really* see what is going on with this square/round question, I would think you would want to experiment with hardwood and different depth gauge settings as well as softwood and different depth gauge settings. Maybe between .025 and .030?

It seems to me that for a square ground chain, a higher depth gauge is needed for harder wood and lower can be used for softer wood.

I had my depth gauges set at .030 sawing 26 inch diameter hardwood with Stihl RSLFK and a 460 with a 32 inch bar, and the chain seemed to "skip and jump" rather than cut smoothly as it was doing in softer wood.???

 

[Universe]

Is there a tutorial anywhere on 'square grinding'? I don't even know what kind of file one would use.

 

[Rotax Robert]

Just file one side round and the other side square, if the cut veers to one side or the other this should tell you which is faster...should be great for log home notches also.

Rotax

 

[TimberPig]

Universe,
You should find enough to explain it here
http://www.madsens1.com/sub4.htm

 

[Tree Sling'r]

I would put my ground chisel bit chains up against anyone's round filed chains. That is a stupid assessment anyway. For one, chisel bit holds an edge way longer, it is faster and easier to handle in the curf of an undercut or backcut and it is efficient. If you know how to run a saw and avoid the avoidable your chains will last longer - in other words filing takes off too much. An besides it does not boil down to numbers like everything else on this forum, it's reality. If you think your "round chain" will out cut my chisel ground then you run a "Girly Saw" and I would love to blow you doors off.
Tree Sling'n in N. Cali.

 

[Leebo]

Is there a tutorial anywhere on 'square grinding'? I don't even know what kind of file one would use.

Here's a link for the Oregon Maintenance and Safety Manual which has a section on filing square ground chain.

http://www.oregonchain.com/tech/manual_maint.htm

 

[Billy_Bob]

I don't understand why some people are buying square ground chain if they are going to round file it right off the bat? Is it that they prefer "round filed - square ground chain"?

Or is it that the same basic chain [but round ground] is not available for purchase?

If you can get the same basic chain in round ground, why not buy that? Or if the same basic chain is not available in round ground, why don't they sell it, if it is what a lot of people want?

 

[Al Smith]

Well now,you can take round and file it square also,or half and half.See for yourself.I did not file this chain,I do however have some 3/8" filed very much the same[it's not just a California thing you know ]

 

[Universe]

Thanks for the links everyone.

 

[jp hallman]

Well now,you can take round and file it square also,or half and half.See for yourself.I did not file this chain,I do however have some 3/8" filed very much the same[it's not just a California thing you know ]

Al,
That chain is square ground. Looks like somebody used their round wheel to grind the gullets. Two different grinders set for two styles of chain. Saves time.

 

[Lakeside53]

Just file one side round and the other side square, if the cut veers to one side or the other this should tell you which is faster...should be great for log home notches also.

Rotax

????, I might just try that!

 

[Lakeside53]

I don't understand why some people are buying square ground chain if they are going to round file it right off the bat? Is it that they prefer "round filed - square ground chain"?

Or is it that the same basic chain [but round ground] is not available for purchase?

If you can get the same basic chain in round ground, why not buy that? Or if the same basic chain is not available in round ground, why don't they sell it, if it is what a lot of people want?

The rounded cutter is available in all styles, however, we only sell square for Full Comp, Skip and Semi-skip; that reduces the number of chains types we carry and the customers love it. Already got about 10 types, don't need any more. It blunts easy in dirty wood or even dirty bark (it all is out here) , but with reasonable care cuts without comparison.

 

[West Texas]

I just hand filed two square chisel chains tonight, using the file shown in the Oregon book. It takes a little while to get used to filing the cutters 'outside in" as opposed to the traditional 'inside out' on round cutters with the round files. They say it eats files quicker, by filing outside in. But, I've not noticed any real difference to be honest, as I work hard at keeping the chain out of the dirt and that reduces the filing needs a bunch.

 

[daveyclimber]

I purchase square ground chains and round file them . I do have reasons for this , they are my opinion and observation and by no means the "right" way .
I feel that the square tooth is stronger than round teeth , we hit steel and rocks alot around here in the trees and round ground chain doesn't take the abuse
I also feel that the side plate and top plate being at or near 90* help shear the wood better than a rounded profile angle on round ground
And it is just alot more convienient and faster to sharpen with a round file , We have four guys at work and I am the only guy who knows how to sharpen chain . If I am not on the job they can wing it and try to file the chain , round filing is more practicle for novices and in general. But to get back on track , I dont feel that a new square ground chain is all that sharp to begin with , my round filed square chains will out cut a factory square grind nearly two to one