I got into a pretty good patch of some old dead hedge. Dead for 20 years and I think it registers pretty high on the Rockwell scale. My fresh RS chain had all it could handle. Any better options? Different angle? There are probably 10 cord left to cut and if there's anything I can do to make it easier I'd like to hear about it.
Carbide... You can make the angle more aggressive, but it will dull faster. Make it less aggressive (25°) and it won't be lightning fast, but will hold the edge a little longer. 10 cord of Hedge!! Tell me where to sign up!!
You can try a 25 degree top angle? Are talking about Osage Orange wood? Your chain needs to be sharp or it will burn
Just to clarify...this isn't your average dead hedge. It has patina'd all the way through in some places. Usually see that in branches but not 8" diameter sections. Hardest ive ever seen...and I've seen a lot.
Old dried out wood will dull a chain much faster than green wood. Before i ever cut any, it was claimed to me that you would see sparks from osage orange. I've cut a little and didn't notice any sparks?
+1 on the semi-chisel. (33RM-72) There is always the carbide option but sit down when you ask the price.
I cut it regularly... It's hard, but steel is harder.. RS will cut it ok, but the RM sure will last longer... The sparks people talk about is actually from the bar and chain, not so much the wood.. It's just hard and dry and the cuts take a bit longer, so it really saps the oil off yer chain.. Stuff sure burns a long time though...
Sounds like somebeech I was cuttin the other day sparks were flyin.I started thinking of what an old Indian said to me try fishin tight lines and use sharp hooks.Cuttin with a tight chain and sharp cutters sure did help me in that somebeech.
