What Makes A Chainsaw Chain Aggressive?

[buzz sawyer]

I've also never seen a " full house" chain. Looks like the depth gauges don't come into play at all except for maybe in a bore cut. I realize the cutter rocks up a bit when it grabs the wood. Seems like a dangerous version. Anyone ever use one like this?

 

[trains]

how does depth gauge contribute to cutting

 

[buzz sawyer]

how does depth gauge contribute to cutting

They play a huge part in chain aggressiveness. They control how deep the cutter bites into the wood. With softer woods, you can use a lower setting. With harder woods, you need to take a smaller bite. The power of the saw comes into play as well.

 

[Philbert]

I've also never seen a " full house" chain. Looks like the depth gauges don't come into play at all except for maybe in a bore cut. I realize the cutter rocks up a bit when it grabs the wood. Seems like a dangerous version. Anyone ever use one like this?

‘Full House’ chain is mostly used for carving, or special situations, like bamboo, as I understand it.

Philbert

 

[angelo c]

Further to what Jethro has said, significant filing of the depth gauges can make a chain far more "aggressive" than what a traditionally filed larger chain would be

to further what JD said... the species of the wood being cut matters to the raker depth as well...what cuts like a cream in Silver Maple bounces and shudders like a meth head in Oak

 

[Bango Skank]

On this pic you shared in post #1, are the orange highlights supposed to indicate the cutting edge? I don’t think the low profile chain will cut so well. It’s backwards.

 

[J D]

On this pic you shared in post #1, are the orange highlights supposed to indicate the cutting edge? I don’t think the low profile chain will cut so well. It’s backwards.
View attachment 1010961

& I would say they got the comments for "low profile" about as wrong as the picture

 

[newforest]

I am still amazed, a few years down the road now, with an experience I had buying a saw at a hardware store after my usual dealer repeatedly dropped the ball on getting in the model I wanted, while I was on a job, and more long story yaddayaddayadda. The friendly local hardware store had one last copy of it, a pro model, sitting on the shelf, ready to walk out the door.

What they did not have, on the saw, or on the shelf, or even “in the computer” to quickly order, was any full chisel chain, at all. “We’re not allowed to sell that any more.”

 

[Cricket]

On this pic you shared in post #1, are the orange highlights supposed to indicate the cutting edge? I don’t think the low profile chain will cut so well. It’s backwards.
View attachment 1010961

Long hard hot day - I didn't even notice.

 

[Campbellcontractlogging]

I've also never seen a " full house" chain. Looks like the depth gauges don't come into play at all except for maybe in a bore cut. I realize the cutter rocks up a bit when it grabs the wood. Seems like a dangerous version. Anyone ever use one like this?

View attachment 1010939

Never seen one would not use one

 

[cookies]

full house chain is often used on tiny saws for pruning

 

[Hipastore]

The first thing to be clear about is what is meant by "Aggressive".
My meaning is the maximum depth cutters penetrate into the wood and pull out a decent size chip - not powder.
Sharpness of cutter is only one parameter
The others factors are the top plate cutting angle and the depth of the rakers.

Cutter edges can be as sharp as razors but if the top plate filing angle is too steep and the raker depths are too shallow then the chain simply won't cut very efficiently.

Once the top plate cutting angle is optimised for longevity/penetration (too much hook will penetrate more, but go blunt quicker) the ultimate arbiters of chain aggressivity are then down to raker depthss. High rakers will make loads of dust and cut slowly. Lowering rakers should make more chips up to a point when rakers that a far too low will stall the saw.

The critical parameter is the raker angle, this should be such to suit the powerhead/wood type and size/bar length/chain cutter sequence etc

If you want more info on this maybe check out this post.
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/cs-milling-101-hints-tips-and-tricks.93458/page-6#post-4107285

Thanks, sir, what you have said really inspires me a lot.

 

[Hipastore]

Never seen one would not use one

Maybe it is called comp

full house chain is often used on tiny saws for pruni

I've also never seen a " full house" chain. Looks like the depth gauges don't come into play at all except for maybe in a bore cut. I realize the cutter rocks up a bit when it grabs the wood. Seems like a dangerous version. Anyone ever use one like this?

View attachment 1010939

It is used on tiny saws for pruning

 

[Hipastore]

On this pic you shared in post #1, are the orange highlights supposed to indicate the cutting edge? I don’t think the low profile chain will cut so well. It’s backwards.
View attachment 1010961

I think low profile chain is a kind of homeowner-friendly chain. So it performs well in home use

 

[Hipastore]

I am still amazed, a few years down the road now, with an experience I had buying a saw at a hardware store after my usual dealer repeatedly dropped the ball on getting in the model I wanted, while I was on a job, and more long story yaddayaddayadda. The friendly local hardware store had one last copy of it, a pro model, sitting on the shelf, ready to walk out the door.

What they did not have, on the saw, or on the shelf, or even “in the computer” to quickly order, was any full chisel chain, at all. “We’re not allowed to sell that any more.”

why you are not allowed

 

[Campbellcontractlogging]

Maybe it is called comp



It is used on tiny saws for pruning

Full comp has a link between every tooth that’s what I use every day

 

[thenne1713]

I recon there talking about how much you file off your drags increasing the depth your tooth cuts.

I have seen where users filed from new to expended and NEVER filed the depth gages.... while still wondering "WHY does the chain never cut like a NEW chain?" "Just filed like my Daddy taught me" they said... Reminds me of the daughter asked the Mother, who asked the grandmother.. "? "WHY do you cut the end off the roast before you put it in the pan?" and both responded "because Momma always did"... so they all asked GGM, who said "To make it fit in the pan, silly"

 

[Hipastore]

I have seen where users filed from new to expended and NEVER filed the depth gages.... while still wondering "WHY does the chain never cut like a NEW chain?" "Just filed like my Daddy taught me" they said... Reminds me of the daughter asked the Mother, who asked the grandmother.. "? "WHY do you cut the end off the roast before you put it in the pan?" and both responded "because Momma always did"... so they all asked GGM, who said "To make it fit in the pan, silly"

LOL

 

[cookies]

I think low profile chain is a kind of homeowner-friendly chain. So it performs well in home use

Low profile or LP chain is a smaller version of standard 3/8 used on sub 60cc saws, there are several very aggressive styles available from several manufacturers in both semi chisel and full chisel that cut very fast and can kick back like a mule due to the saws being able to keep vry high chain speed during cutting. I'd love a couple 20" 3/8 lp bar in stihl large mount D009? and the matching sprockets in medium and large spline

 

[atpchas]

I think low profile chain is a kind of homeowner-friendly chain. So it performs well in home use

Very interesting. Exactly which attributes of LP chain make it so homeowner friendly? In what way is LP more appropriate than .325? Or is .325 better? Please do share your insights with us.