Stihl RS chain prices

[z4lunch]

Steve here...
Just picked up a loop of 46rs (404) chain from my local dealer. He charged me almost $50 for 104 drivers..Talk about getting put on the ladder. What's up with that!!
Steve

 

[StIhL MaGnUm]

I hear ya there Steve that is rough last time I bought a 24" loop of 3/8 RS it cost me like $27 so thats when I decided to change to Oregon now I can get a 24" for $12 and just as sharp..there is no way I would pay $50 for a chain unless of course it has been modified..

Rob.

 

[pea]

I think if a person is going to use a lot it would almost pay to buy a roll and make up the loops yourself. I worked at a store that sold chain and its not hard.

 

[z4lunch]

Yep,
I make up my own loops of 3/8. I picked up the loop of 404 for a friend of mine with a wood proccesor
Steve

 

[Oregon_Rob]

How many DL’s per foot of 3/8 chain? Just so I can do the math.:Eye: :Eye:

 

[StIhL MaGnUm]

Rob,

My 24" is 84 drive links

 

[Newfie]

Bailey's lists a 100 Foot roll of 3/8 as having 1640 drive links.

 

[Oregon_Rob]

Cost to make my own loops

1640/100= 16.4 DL/FT = $.134/DL

72 LG 100’ ROLL = $220



72 DL = 4.39’ = $9.66 Pre-made loops ~ $11.95
84 DL = 5.12’ = $11.26 ~ $13.95
105 DL = 6.4’ = $ 14.09 ~ $18.95

I will keep buying loops, I just don't use enough and like to try different styles and brands.

 

[tony marks]

i would agree about chain u have the dealer make for u. everytime ive done it,
it was 25-40 bucks . i thot it was a bit high myself. so i just get my loops premade for 12 -20 bucks,and watch for specials.

 

[Newfie]

"Cost to make my own loops "

And I imagine that doesn't include the cost of the breaker and spinner.

 

[Oregon_Rob]

Yes, the cost of the tools is another reason why it doesn’t make sense for me to make my own loops. Although, at times it would be nice to be able to modify my own chains. And “more tools” just has a nice ring to it!:blob6:

 

[Newfie]

Convenience has its price too!

 

[stihltech]

404

The price of 404 and 1/4 chain has risen drasically in the past few years. The sales, as far as on chain saws, have fallen also.
So who is selling the stuff cheap?
3/8 , 325 and picco has lots of competition in the marketplace, so the price stays low.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

3/8 RS isnt cheap, thats why this post was started.

I just wish Oregon would get smart like Stihl and color a link for sharpening

Otherwise Stihl chain has no benefit to me in my experience

 

[SWI Don]

I agree on the colored link. I end up marking one of the teeth with a sharpie to let me know when I've made around. Too bad it's gone the next time I sharpen.

Don

 

[stihltech]

RS

15 bucks for a 20 inch ain't too bad

 

[Cicero]

We charge 33 cents a link for chain. If you buy three we give you a fourth for free. We do this because the guy who is actually out there using the chains (ie commercially) will undoubtedly use those four chains. As far as rolls of chain goes. If you buy a 100ft roll from us we will cut them for free to whatever lengths you specify.

A roll will cost a customer I believe about 300 for Stihl. Which if that 1640 links per roll is correct would put your cost per 72 dl chain at about 13 bucks. And we cut them. It is not quite baileys price but it is competitive. Especially since you would have to pay some shipping from them. Granted their is sales tax from me.

You may try offering that up to your dealer. He still makes some decent money and keeps your business.