Any guidelines or recommendations as to when you should use a skip or semi-skip chain instead of a full comp?
Thanks
Mark
Usually on long bars in large wood.
Generally I would use full skip on bars 28"+ although I dont know the industry standard for these types of chain I do know that they are easier on the saw because the full skip chain has fewer cutters on it requiring less Hp to pull it.
I run full skip,3/8",square tooth chain on my saws, all 20". The Stihl full skip has the depth gauge moved out more to the side, producing a smoother cut. When you get it filed about halfway back you flat file the sides of the depth gauges along with the tops. Also, you switch over to a 5/32" round file. I've been running this chain since 1994 and haven't had a problem.
When I bought a new saw a year or so ago it came with a full complement chain. It cut well but not as smooth as a full skip. I have not found a difference in the speed of cutting between the two chains, only smoothness.
It is like Kevin said, big bars in big trees/logs. Skip or Semi-skip is more often used on the longest bar recommendations for a particular saw.
I am of the o***ion that full comp cuts the fastest, and size my bars appropriately so I know my saw can handle all of the cutters engaged at once.
Captain
Mark, I think the full ship is good on big stuff. don't think the HP. of the saw has much to do with it. the Big trees need a skip to pull the chips out of the kerf. take a 090G all the power ya want, and on full comp 7' trees it will plug the kerf , skip removes the chips for better cutting, so there fore I use skip on long bars and Big trees, run a 090G 52" bar skip 404 round chizel chain 063. seams to work good, small saws 36" and under, I use full comp.3/8 round chizel 050. round chizel will take more dirt then square and stay sharper longer. if you want to hot rod do the other stuff. Duh---Duane
Here's a link to the opinion of somebody who knows more about it than I do.
http://www.chainsawsforsawmills.com/sawchains.htm