What chain size is better?

[kevlar]

I have a tuned 046 with mild work done to it.I cut a hell of a lot of firewood.I am using 84 driver 38 chain made up of 2 parts fullhouse and two part skip (dont ask i was cleaning out the left over chain boxes and i thought it was cool works ok too!) any way my question is this what would .404 chain do for me?

 

[TimberPig]

Mostly it will add more load to your saw and slow down the cutting. Stick with 3/8" on an 046. You don't even want to consider .404 until you're running at least an 066/395, and even for those in most cases 3/8" cuts faster.

 

[kevlar]

Thanks.

 

[pbtree]

Mostly it will add more load to your saw and slow down the cutting. Stick with 3/8" on an 046. You don't even want to consider .404 until you're running at least an 066/395, and even for those in most cases 3/8" cuts faster.

What he said...

Heavy chain like that is not necessary on the size saw you are running, and it will nore than likely slow you down...

 

[kevlar]

So why .404 at all if 3/8 is generally faster?.I would think that would hold true even on bigger saws.

 

[kevlar]

I think I figured out my own question it's for strength right?

 

[TimberPig]

Strength, and on a larger saw that has the power to pull the heavier chain, it takes a larger bite out of the wood and can cut faster. Most saws do best with 3/8" as it is lighter and they can turn it faster.

 

[rbtree]

.404 doesnt cut faster, I don't think. if it did, hotsaw racers would likely use it, but I don't think they do, unless some use it on Rotax's.

also, kevlar, "full house" means a cutter every drive link, as you will find on some specialty chains for firefighting. "Full comp" is the term for normal chain with a cutter every other dl..

I like semi-skip as a nice middle ground chain...but run full comp and ful skip as well.

 

[canguy21]

.404 was common on the older high torque, slower revving saws like the big Stihls. The current breed work better with less aggressive chain that allows them to rev.

 

[pbtree]

.404 was common on the older high torque, slower revving saws like the big Stihls. The current breed work better with less aggressive chain that allows them to rev.

Which is part of the rational behind the narrow kerf stuff! It lets the smaller saws keep higher revs...

 

[kevlar]

Another question then is a larger kerf better for blown down or leaning trees?I mean do you get a little extra room for for the bar? Say 33rsf vs 36rsf? Did that make any sense at all?

 

[TimberPig]

The cutters on those chains are exactly the same. They will cut the same kerf width. The only difference between them is the thickness of the drive links. As to the kerf width thing, proper technique is what will make those situations easier, not a wider kerf. A wider kerf will only make your saw work harder, and cut slower.

 

[kevlar]

Well that about sums it up thanks guys!

 

[Marky Mark]

The cutters on those chains are exactly the same. They will cut the same kerf width. The only difference between them is the thickness of the drive links. As to the kerf width thing, proper technique is what will make those situations easier, not a wider kerf. A wider kerf will only make your saw work harder, and cut slower.

Cut slower Where did you come up with that one. The best thing you could do to a 346xp is switch it over to 3/8ths. Not to mention that .325 cuts way to grabby and rough.

.404 will do nothing that 3/8ths can't do. Check out EHP's forum here and watch some of the Video's. That's all 3/8ths running on those saws. From the 346's to the 3120 and 088's.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=21610

 

[pinus]

Longer pitch allows to make larger teeths and cut larger chips.
In principle chain with longer pitch can be like a handsaw with larger teeths
Which cuts faser?

 

[TimberPig]

Cut slower Where did you come up with that one. The best thing you could do to a 346xp is switch it over to 3/8ths. Not to mention that .325 cuts way to grabby and rough.

.404 will do nothing that 3/8ths can't do. Check out EHP's forum here and watch some of the Video's. That's all 3/8ths running on those saws. From the 346's to the 3120 and 088's.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=21610

It takes more power to cut a wider chip as you must remove more material. Given the same amount of power, a narrower chip will take less power to pull the cutter through the wood. The narrower cutter can thus take more chips out as it can be moved around the bar faster. This equals faster cutting, as more chips are pulled out in a given time. You're entitled to your opinion, but most would disagree on the 3/8" chain on a 346, as it normally cuts slower. But if you are talking a modded 346, like you probably are, then 3/8" chain might be better.