chainsaw chains

[riverrat]

I have been running stihl chains for several years. I recently switched to carlton. From my experience the carlton stays sharp longer and cuts better and faster than the stihl chains. What kind of chains are you guys running.

[MapMan]

I get my new chains from the local co-op, but I honestly don't know the manufacturer. I have noticed that they are more aggressive in cutting than the Stihl chains, but the reason for that is because they are not anti-kickback chains. You will substitute an aggressive cut for safety when you use chains designed with anti-kickback features. That might be what you are seeing with the Carltons.

MM

[Sundance]

I don't like the anti-kick back chains. They don't cut well
at all IMO.

But there are a lot of nimrods running around with chain
saws out there. I always wear a helmet with ear muffs
(Stihl I think), logger shin guards, steel toe boots, and
good gloves.

Be safe........

[MapMan]

I always wear a helmet with ear muffs
(Stihl I think), logger shin guards, steel toe boots, and
good gloves.

Wuss.

I wear heavy boots, gloves, eye and ear protection. And dodge the bar when it comes close.

MM

[Sundance]

Wuss.

I wear heavy boots, gloves, eye and ear protection. And dodge the bar when it comes close.

MM

Wuss indeed............ we can't all be alpha males MM.

I've been knocked on the helmet more than once... and
had the face screen lashed with a fly off chain. I got
nailed in the shin good with a runaway chain once, got
the shin guards immediately after the wound healed.

[Zane]

My buddy cuts wood for a living over in Modesto,CA and he recomended I try these "Woodsman Pro" chains from "Baileys" http://www.baileysonline.com/category.asp?CatID=49
They where dirt cheap has no anti kickback links and they cut like butter!!! It chatters just a little @ start of the cut but really goes once going.

[randydrivesabus]

I use the most agressive chain I can buy because it cuts faster. The last one I bought was a stihl. I'm stupid and don't use safety equipment. The fly off chain comment scares me.

[Zane]

Sundance, good idea to be safe. I had a job cutting trees to make roads in Jr High. I was up in the Raggged Mtns in Colorado w/ another Jr high kid alone(40 miles to the nearest town) all week cutting trees for 2 seasons w/o any gear(or supervision). It amazes me that we actually made it w/ only minor flesh wounds!!!! Wellllll, except when I felled a pine tree on my buddy and knocked him out! remember, When someone yell's "timber" dont askWhere!! just run

[Black Creek]

..." face screen lashed with a fly off chain"....

and with that comment you have effectively just convinced me to upgrade my safety gear !

[Sundance]

..." face screen lashed with a fly off chain"....

and with that comment you have effectively just convinced me to upgrade my safety gear !

They are well worth it! Had a 2" x 6' widow maker hit me in
the helmet 2 years ago. 2" x 6' doesn't sound to wicked but
man......... even with the helmet it dazed me.

I like the muff style hearing protection better than plugs too,
and with the face screen it is an essential tool for anyone
that cuts wood.

Best money you'll spend........

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stihl-chainsaw-p...QQcmdZViewItem

[MapMan]

Sundance, check to make sure your insurance payments are up-to-date. Sounds like you are accident-prone.

MM

[walking bird]

I use the most agressive chain I can buy because it cuts faster. The last one I bought was a stihl. I'm stupid and don't use safety equipment. The fly off chain comment scares me.

I'm with you. I wear a pair of raquetball glasses, and that's it. Usually I'm in shorts and a tank-top. Maybe I should rethink that...

[berkshire bee]

you might wear just a short sleeve shirt and shorts while working on your bees, but a chain saw packs a much harder sting. It only takes a second, and then it's "I wish or I should have"

[BenC]

I also use the woodsman pro from bailey's, great chain and an excellent company to deal with.

[Sundance]

I'm with you. I wear a pair of raquetball glasses, and that's it. Usually I'm in shorts and a tank-top. Maybe I should rethink that...

In my youth........... I did the same. You know, when you're
invincible??? One bite from a chainsaw can be more than a
learning lesson. Especially if you're miles from medical help.

[riverrat]

I also use the woodsman pro from bailey's, great chain and an excellent company to deal with.

I took a look at the woodsman how does it compare in performance to a carlton or stihl

[Sundance]

The big thing with performance is the depth gauges
(aka rakers, aka anti-kick back thingys).

These chains have none and therefore are very
aggressive and will blow the others (with them)
out of the water regarding speed of cut.

Down side is that you should be a seasoned wood
cutter to use them as they are more dangerous!
Kick back is nasty.

I like chains that are aggressive and I'm going to
order up 2 or 3 of these myself.

[riverrat]

I took a look at the woodsman how does it compare in performance to a carlton or stihl

I did some checking the woodsman pro is made by carlton. I am going to order a few of them and see what they do.

[Zane]

Riverrat, for the price and performance you wont bee sorry!!!! They do a very nice job cutting. Its not a smooth starting chain w/o the kickback links but once she gets going get ready to pull it up because your already done cutting! haha

[ScadsOBees]

I'm looking for an education.

I just started cutting wood, and don't do a ton of it yet, so I bought a little cheepie poulan chainsaw, 16", 34cc. So far it is working great for what I need.

It dulls faster than what I'd like, and I notice that more expensive chainsaws have more teeth on the chain. Are the chains interchangeble? Could I just buy a different chain with more teeth and put that on?

What is the anti-kickback feature? I'm not ready to abandon that feature just yet, but am curious what it is and does.

Thanks, rick