Chain - 395XP 30" in large diameter hard dirty desert wood

[David B]

Hey all, nice to be back, been digging around a bit to refresh...

I rarely run my saws, so rarely that I have to re-educate myself or chains and sharpening every time I get a chain/use the saws.  :P ::) Mostly just help out friends and neighbors when someone has a big tree to be cut up, every year or three it seems. 

I grew up using saws regularly in clean pine/fir in WA, and don't remember having to sharpen and replace so much. Down here it's Euc, Pine, Salt Cedar, and Palm.

I think I should be using full skip semi chisel...anything else?

Thank You

[JohnG28]

It sounds like you're not too rusty, that's probably the best setup for what you're talking about. May need to file a lot, possibly even before going through a tank of gas. If its really dirty/sandy you'll probably dull fast. Watch the chips and keep it sharp!  ;)

[sawguy21]

You might try chipper (round top) chain, it is not as aggressive but may hold up better in dirty wood.

[David B]

I must have been rustier last time, looks like what I have now is full chisel...oh well.

[David B]

Things just got interesting/confusing...I went to install the extra chain I got last time... couple inches too short.  :'( I think the saw shop over the hill gave it to me last time I had it in there.  >:( It's a Stihl .050", not really even close.  When you want it done right, get educated and do it yourself.  :D

Getting info here from googling my bar number

http://www.mikeschainsawshop.co.nz/cannon-super-bar-chainsaw-bars/


My bar is a Cannon SuperBar S1-30-63  (not a 63-3) which should be a Stihl mount for 12mm studs and is fitted to my 395XP's 8mm studs (I measured) with an adapter ---->   http://www.cannonbar.com/appguide.html

Which shows the -3 bar using 100 links. (What is the -3 for?)

But I found this Cannon link

http://www.cannonbar.com/PDFs/MSRPusacomplete.pdf

Which explains that (duh) different engines/sprockets may change the number of drive links, but my bar should be 98 links.

The old chain that is on it is Oregon, 98 links 3/8" .063 full skip chisel...seemed to work OK, but I think the friend I let borrow it (I know, I know...) didn't do a spectacular job of sharpening it, so it cuts crooked = bar bind, and the cutters are almost gone anyway. Well, maybe I can go through it carefully and even them out...


So now I gotta find and order a chain 'cuz no one within a couple hour drive carries chains that big. Was supposed to cut early this week, wouldn't cut, postponed to early next week, now gonna be postponed 'til chain shows up or I save this one, but I'm not that good and don't have a proper sharpener for the angles :-[

Anyone need a stihl chain?  :

[David B]

http://www.madsens1.com/bnc_teeth_types.htm

http://www.madsens1.com/PDF/13catweb.pdf

I think what I need is 75DPX  Couldn't find it on Bailey's, called, she couldn't either.

Reckon I'll call Madsen's in the morning.

[David B]

Called Madsen's, got a couple loops of 75DPX semi-chisel round standard full comp for dirty stuff and two 75JGX chisel round full skip for bigger cleaner stuff.

Anyone ever go a round or two with dried out palm? Pain in the kiester...they recommended .404" chain.

[David B]

My chains were on my doorstep by lunchtime today (Monday), ordered mid-day Saturday...from WA to the Mexican Border. Madsen's THUMBS UP!

[Texas Ranger]

Palm.  Dirtiest wood I ever cut, not wood exactly, more like chain mail.  Tough stuff.

[David B]

The fibers are springy, seems like once you cut through, they spring back and grab at the bar, which is why they recommended the .404" chain I guess, wider bite. Burns like a hay stack...smolders forever, only thing to do with them is take them to the dump.