So I figure if the yellow paint lasts on Stihl chain I should be able to color code my chains. Quite a few of my chains only have a Link or two of difference. Maybe brake clean a couple inches and use nail polish, car touch up paint or ? Just has to last in the nooks and crannies. Any thoughts ?
I have thought about adding a mark, nail polish, whatever, use it when filing. Now I just go until I see my filing, sorta works. Even a shot of spray paint may work for your idea, of course much may wear off.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Obviously you would need to pre-lube the chain before installing it because the area will have zero oil.
When I file my chains I just clean a link and use a paint marker. I feel it makes sharpening the teeth and filling down the rakers easier
I simply use a sharpie on the top plate of the tooth where I start filing. Wears off, but takes 1 second to do when I need to sharpen again.
I think he's looking to color code for chain size or type, not as a marking place for sharpening. Like stihl has yellow and green labeled chain with a link painted to match. A paint that could survive like the factory stihl link paint but the whole chain, I believe, is what he's after.
I’d probably rough up the metal where you paint with a wire wheel or similar, giving the paint something to bite on to help hold it there. This is my method too.
I don't see why it wouldn't work. Like you said brake-clean it and hit it with a spray can of your color choice. I would think it would sort of stay around between the links. What's the worst case? When you take it off just hit it again quick if it has really gone away.
On Saturday I went to cut up a white oak that had fallen at a friend's house. I went to swap chains and realized I had mistakenly put echo chains in a Stihl boxes. When I sharpen I use a sharpie to mark the tooth. It's the hanging of dull chains on a nail by the grinders where mix-up occurs.
Not a bad idea. Are you trying to ID by length, tooth style (full vs semi chisel) or??? I have labeled Ziplocs in my toolbox that have a sharp chain ready to go. Ill use a sharpie or my chalk (usually in the field) if there is no colored link and/or double tooth when sharpening.
Do you have room to put a board with several nails on it, label each nail for a chain, then sharpen and box all chains on each nail at a time?
Ive done that with 20" chain 325 vs 375. Kinda why I've evolved into 16" only for 325 and 20" and longer for 375 chain. I can see how different model saws with make it easier to mix up. Yeah go the painted chain route.
Paint pens seem to work pretty well, I paint a link on mine for sharpening mine. I have to touch it up every 2nd or third sharpening, but it is still there. Brake clean several links and paint away…
