What is the Best Saw Chain Now for cutting dirty and frozen firewood?

[jonrodman]

Hello,

I don't see any recent Saw Chain threads. There was one from 2002, but maybe it is time to start one again.

I have a 42cc Poulan WildThing with an 18" bar and an old 61cc (approximately) Poulan Pro with a 22" bar. I may discard the 22" bar in favor of a new 24" bar. Both saws run great but I have worn out all the loops I have for both of them.

I like to keep about five loops for the WildThing and two or three for the Poulan Pro. The WildThing has a thinner bar and chain than the bigger one.

I have tried several different chain manufacturers but over the years have forgotten which ones I like best. I also don't have chain sharpening equipment and it costs me around $8 per loop to have them sharpened.

What are people using now?

Has anyone seen or used the Carbide Tipped chain listed on the site below?

http://www.rapcoindustries.com

It seems to me that the carbide tipped chains look like they won't dull for a long time. I have not called for prices which I am guessing are steep, but has anyone used Carbide Tipped Chains? Carbide Blades work great on Mitre saws, but what is the story on chainsaws.

If carbide chains are not the way to go, what is?

Jon

 

[Husky288XP]

Learn how to hand file, it is a game of trial and error, but you will master it after a while of cutting.

 

[Typhoon]

I agree... learn how to hand file. If you get pretty good at it, you can file a chain in under 5 minutes (there are guys out there that can even do it faster). The carbide chains are more durable im sure, but even those will dull eventually. And they are very expensive. I cut firewood, which is often dirty and frozen, and I use regular chain, and hit it with a file every tank of gas or so.

 

[eyolf]

If you're cutting a LOT of dirty timber, I'll suggest chipper chain; it starts out slower than chisel, but chisel gets dull really fast in dirty wood. Carlton "S" , true chipper chain is the best, but it might be hard to get, so you might have to try "semi-chisel".

If the timber is frozen, but not real dirty, I think that regular old chisel, either round-filed or square is better. Don't be in a hurry to take your rakers down...on frozen maple and oak I think they cut smoother and faster when the rakers are at about .020.

Carbide chain? The only carbide chain I know of is what is on the Echo down at the fire station. It will chew through building materials and even sheetmetal, but the teeth are not made for cutting anything at any speed. Besides, the loops are like $100!

 

[cuttinscott]

Carbide chain is mostly used by fire depts for roof venting cuts too slow cost too much and for fire wood the chassis and cutters like to break

scott

 

[GASoline71]

Carbide chain is mostly used by fire depts for roof venting cuts too slow cost too much and for fire wood the chassis and cutters like to break

scott

Not to mention, downright friggin' expensive! Way more than a home owner would want to spend. But if ya really want it, Bailey's carries the Rapco carbide chain....

http://www.baileysonline.com/store/USA.htm

Gary

 

[SawTroll]

I like semi chisel in dirty wood.

Chisel seems OK in the frozen wood I usually cut ( mainly birch).

 

[Sbusta]

I tried carbide a few years back for cutting stumps very expensive. It will cut through nails and wire but shatters the teeth. I hit a piece of pipe and shattered 2/3 of the chain so never went back.

 

[Newfie]

Expensive and slow. And doesn't it have to be filed or ground with a diamond impregnated file or wheel?

 

[Bob Wright]

Not mine. Good time to have a buddy with a saw. LOL...Bob

 

[danl]

Learn how to file is the best advice, I have used a saw a lot for the last 32 years and didn't know how to hand file a chain til I found Arboristsite 2 years ago.
I used to use one of those electric hand grinders til I ruined the chain then I would buy another chain. Got expensive. I sure get a lot more use out of my chains now.

Dan