There's skip, and then there's...

[Bremen]

Hi guys. Up until recently I haven't had any reason to buy skip chain, but I just picked up a couple 93 link loops of 72JG from an online store. Someone used a preset to make up loops right where a cutter would go. This seems like bad practice to me, maybe something an inexperienced guy would spin together, but I'm new to skip. Am I being overly picky? Seems like this would increase risk of kickback.

Sorry about the lousy pic, camera phone's all I have to work with right now.

 

[Diesel JD]

If memory serves, 72JG is semi skip chain which means that 1/2 the cutters are close together like full comp chain and 1/2 are skip sequence like full skip. This looks like what you have. Not too many folks use it, but it must work well for some. I'd throw it on there and give it a whirl. I think you are right that skip chain increases the risk of kickback, as all low kick chains are full comp. If you are experienced and use caution you shouldn't have overly much to worry about. Merry Christmas and let us know how it cuts....I am 99.9% sure that you have shown us 2 good loops of semi-skip round chisel oregon chain!

 

[Bremen]

Semi-skip would alternate between one and two tie straps between cutters. This has two between each cutter except where they made the loop it's five in a row.

Oregon chain numbering

 

[John Ellison]

He was either cheap or lazy. I dont know about any increased kickback risk but would bet it has a funny feel or .. bump spot.. in it. (When cutting)

 

[Lakeside53]

I'd say lazy or inexperienced - normally there are a bunch of left and right cutters lying around from punching chain to length.. Sometimes you can't avoid a gap, but not so in this case.

 

[ericjeeper]

I sharpened one

A few weekends ago for a timber cutter. It was the same type skip.. and the worse part is. The big gap was between two rights.. or two lefts.. Sp The chain was really grabassy.
These were 84. I would have either tossed em or cut em down to 72 link. Merry Christmas all.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Take it to a local saw shop and ask them to install a cutter in there if they have the right type, shouldn't be too pricey.

Ian

 

[Bremen]

Thanks for the input everyone, I'll see about getting a cutter in there, local shop or otherwise. I'll also contact the place I bought it from and give them a heads up.

 

[Crofter]

Bremen, are you going to put on a left cutter or a right cutter? Some people do not like to see two same side cutters follow one behind the other and prefer to leave one off as was done here.

 

[Bremen]

left or right? heh whichever I find first going to end up with two same-side in a row no matter what I do, but I'll take that to a giant gap in the chain. At least an irregularity in cutter position helps me keep track of where I started filing. It doesn't look so bad in the picture but it's 3.5 inches between cutters where it should be about 1 3/8 for full skip.

The other thing I didn't mention above, which really must be fixed before use, is that on the top chain one of the rivets wasn't spun down at all. Sticks right out the side.

Oh well, got an unused 93 loop of 73JG I can swipe some cutters from and shorten it down to 84, just need to get my hands on a breaker and spinner.

 

[John Ellison]

It will take a bit longer but you can file or grind off the rivet head then set the new one with just a ball pein hammer.