.325 chain

Cut4fun · February 20, 2011, 08:59:27 PM

I am just a homeowner hobbyist that keeps firewood cutters saws and chains going.

I ordered the baileys spinner and breaker set for making my own chain and I really like it.
What is nice is not to have to depend on no one.

Heck I even started breaking down used chains that come in and make them the right drive link when needed.

Oh oh dont try spinning up chain when blind from drinking ;)

fuzzybear · February 20, 2011, 11:52:47 PM

Just a quick thought. You said you had the chains repaired by the dealer the day before and they broke on the first tank. I would almost be willing to bet your dealer is buying bulk reals of chain and is making up loops. And the person doing this job has no clue what they are doing. I would be willing to bet they both broke at the link repaired by the dealer. I had a batch of chains do the same thing and turned out to be the dealer. They hired a new kid and never really took the time to teach him the correct way to do it.
hope this helps
FB

barbender · February 21, 2011, 12:27:52 AM

Yep- something is fishy there. I think I have only broken 1 chain, and that was my fault. I got my bar pinched falling a tree and muscled it out when I should have did something to get the weight off of it. The chain broke about 10 minutes later. The fact this is breaking on both saws makes it seem to be a chain problem, I think the others on here that suggested the dealer is spinning the loops and not doing it right are on the right track. I also think Stihl chain is very good quality, but around here it costs about 40% more. I usually run Oregon, I've got some Carlton I'm trying now. It seems kind of soft, I'm not sure. I haven't ran it much yet. You better corner your dealer with the accusations you got on here :D

Al_Smith · February 21, 2011, 07:03:31 AM

The ability to make up your own chains is handy but it just depends on the situation as to weather it's a good option .
I can and due but it's more because of the amount of odd ball sizes I have with the antiques .That plus on occasion cutting down a longer loop which might be damaged but still salvageable .

As far as a standard loop like 72 driver 3/8" you might save a dollar a loop verses buying them from Baileys or other online suppliers .Sometimes they even have them about the same price or even cheaper than buying a bulk roll at standard price .

If you're only going to go through a couple chains a year or couple years a chain ,it wouldn't be worth the hassel .

SawTroll · February 21, 2011, 09:32:05 AM

Quote from: justincase on February 20, 2011, 11:01:28 AM
I am using 25 rsc 72 oilomatic stihl. He said it was the best chain for what I was doing which is cutting wood daily and he claimed oregon didn't make a good comparable chain. If someone has another recommendation let me know.

He is wrong about the Oregon stuff, 21LP(X) would fill the bill perfectly. I use both, but prefere the Oregon.

However, that is irrelevant in your case, as it is highly unlikely that a change would solve your issue.

Quote from: fuzzybear on February 20, 2011, 11:52:47 PM
Just a quick thought. You said you had the chains repaired by the dealer the day before and they broke on the first tank. I would almost be willing to bet your dealer is buying bulk reals of chain and is making up loops. And the person doing this job has no clue what they are doing. I would be willing to bet they both broke at the link repaired by the dealer. I had a batch of chains do the same thing and turned out to be the dealer. They hired a new kid and never really took the time to teach him the correct way to do it.
hope this helps
FB

That is what I find most likely at this point as well....

lumberjack48 · February 21, 2011, 08:18:23 PM

When i had this problem with Stihl chain, i think it was 1983, Stihl had a issue with chain breaking. I was getting my chain from Con's saw shop in Grand Rapids, MN.
Con was the number 1 Stihl dealer back than, he replaced my Stihl chain with a Carlton, he sold Stihl, Carlton and Oregon chain.

If it would have been so simple as a repair link i would have seen that the first time it broke. I understand what your talking about I've had it happen many times, over tight strap, to louse, cracked strap, upside down strap, I've seen it all from the saw shops.

I fixed my own chain on the job with a vice grip chain breaker, after i fixed it 3, 4 times i new something was wrong, i dug out one of my old chains, never had a problem with that.

I think Cons boy Dale still has it open, barbender next time you go by there stop and ask Dale about Stihl chain.

justincase · February 21, 2011, 08:44:56 PM

Stihl e-mailed me today and wants samples so what the heck I got nothing to lose. I never will recoup costs due to downtime changing chains but at least I might find out why its happening. Hard to tell how many have broken because they have been repaired and reused so many times with new chains mixed in. Wish I could have marked them somehow. I look forward to trying some other chains and possibly making up my own when I narrow the choices down.

justincase · March 04, 2011, 08:30:38 PM

Well just got an e-mail from Stihl and they said they would replace the four chains I sent back. He didn't say what the problem was though. Funny thing is I needed a couple chains until the chains I ordered from Bailey's came in and these Stihl chains have been no problem at all. I was wrong on the price I said I was paying. The Stihl chains are 19$ from local dealer and carlton chain was same money after shipping so I will try carlton and oregon and see which is best. Hopefully this was a few bad chains and I won't have this problem too many more times.

lumberjack48 · March 05, 2011, 01:20:45 PM

Carlton is the better chain by far than Oregon, Oregon is a softer chain

Get a Carlton File-O-Plate, its the best tool i found for rakers, simple to use

What size is our chain, pitch, gauge, driver count ? I'll see if i can beat their price.

justincase · March 05, 2011, 04:46:58 PM

Lumberjack, I am using .325 chain 18"bar, 72 drivers, 58 guage chain. I haven't used the carlton chain yet and I guess I will be getting 4 more Stihl chain as well.

SawTroll · March 07, 2011, 12:44:50 PM

Quote from: lumberjack48 on March 05, 2011, 01:20:45 PM
Carlton is the better chain by far than Oregon, Oregon is a softer chain

......

I disagree with that, based on the Carltons I have used.

Then we have the fact that Carlton doesn't make low-vibe chain.....

Cut4fun · March 07, 2011, 12:48:46 PM

Quote from: SawTroll on March 07, 2011, 12:44:50 PM
Quote from: lumberjack48 on March 05, 2011, 01:20:45 PM
Carlton is the better chain by far than Oregon, Oregon is a softer chain

......

I disagree with that, based on the Carltons I have used.

Then we have the fact that Carlton doesn't make low-vibe chain.....

Thats why I had suggested the woodsman pro over the oregon LP for the first go around try. That LP chain is just so heavy with all that extra metal ;) :D ;D

John Mc · March 07, 2011, 01:55:34 PM

Are "Total" chains just rebadged Carlton? One of the Husky/Jonsered dealers in my area carries Total chains. I had good luck with them or a few years, but then ran in to some that appeared to have some heat treating problems. Most of the teeth and depth gauges would sharpen normally, but in a few chains I got, there were one or two teeth that were so hard that they would ruin my file every time I tried to sharpen them. I finally gave up on them. Now I run either Oregon (if I'm buying locally) or Wooldland Pro from Bailey's.

I agree that the Carlton File-O-Plate is a great tool for setting the depth gauges. I now use a similar tool sold by Husqvarna that I find easier to grip. It works the same way as the File-O-Plate. I use the one on the left in the photo below. I'm usually using the Hardwood end, since that's what I cut. The softwood end makes for a bit more aggressive setting on the depth gauges. The one shown is for 3/8 pitch (Husky part #505 69 81-01). They also make one for .325 pitch (Husky part #505 69 81-00). There are ones for .404 and "3/8 Hobby" whatever that is.

John Mc

justincase · March 07, 2011, 04:44:29 PM

That is the same plate I have been using to set raker depth as well. The chain I bought from Bailey'

justincase · March 07, 2011, 04:50:52 PM

Sorry hit enter when I should't have. The chain I ordered is Baileys woodsman pro which I think is carlton.

Shotgun · March 07, 2011, 05:22:38 PM

Quote from: justincase on March 07, 2011, 04:50:52 PM
Sorry hit enter when I should't have. The chain I ordered is Baileys woodsman pro which I think is carlton.

justincase, You can edit your original post. No harm done, but you didn't need to start another post.

Norm

justincase · March 08, 2011, 08:02:57 PM

Picked up my new Stihl chains today and the dealer said Stihl admitted they had a bad run of brittle straps and bring back any chain I had a problem with. Sounds good to me!

Cut4fun · March 08, 2011, 08:20:36 PM

Quote from: justincase on March 08, 2011, 08:02:57 PM
Picked up my new Stihl chains today and the dealer said Stihl admitted they had a bad run of brittle straps and bring back any chain I had a problem with. Sounds good to me!

Thats cool.......... 8)

sharkey · March 12, 2011, 05:56:22 AM

Just a heads up that if your buying Stihl branded chain off Ebay that there is a chance that it may be a Chinese knock off.

The tie straps are marked 'Stihl' and all the numbers on the chain look correct. The packaging (plastic bag and box if buying loops) is also correct with 'Stihl made in Switzerland' and the logo looks correct. The artwork and colors are just about perfect.

The oilomatic groove that is cut into the chain to draw oil to the rivets is a patented Stihl process and it is missing from the counterfeit chain. I cannot post a link or pics because they are on another forum, but you will come across them if you look around a little.