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Chainsaw chains.

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by oldspark, Mar 11, 2014.

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  1. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Sounds like they want to do away with any chain that is not safety chain, some places make you sign a paper if you buy non safety chain.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  2. Guido Salvage

    Guido Salvage

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    Sounds like you are shopping (or living) in the wrong place...
     
    Guido Salvage, Mar 11, 2014
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  3. oldspark

    oldspark

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    They are not doing it here and I can buy any chain I want, just passing along the information, I can find some links if anyone is interested.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  4. papadave

    papadave

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    Doubt that'll happen around here for quite a while. Too much logging and people that cut.
     
    papadave, Mar 11, 2014
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  5. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    So long as there are professionals that demand it, it's unlikely that anybody is doing away with standard chain. There are some green label chains that cut well, especially if the nose of the bar is not buried, and there are others that deserve the nasty reputation "safety" chain has.

    There is no such thing as a safe chain. They all cut flesh and bone equally well.
     
    MasterMech, Mar 11, 2014
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  6. oldspark

    oldspark

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    I was just passing along the information which I read online plus the Stihl dealer I was at yesterday said all the new saws are sold with the safety chain but you can replace it with anything you want.
    Anyone who uses a saw knows there is no safe chain.
    No need to kill the messenger.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  7. oldspark

    oldspark

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    You will still be able to buy chisel or semi chisel but would have be the green or safety chain.
    I am not saying this is going to happen but it is going on in some places (signing a paper if buying non safety chain)
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  8. papadave

    papadave

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    Might be time to stock up a little.
    For the amount of cutting I do, one or 2 of each of the sizes I use should suffice until I die.:)
     
    papadave, Mar 11, 2014
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  9. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    It is true that all new Stihls under 70cc come with green label chain. They have for quite awhile now, I'm not certain but I think I've even seen green label on 70cc+ saws on the dealer's shelf.
     
    MasterMech, Mar 11, 2014
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  10. thistle

    thistle

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    That is BS. When I started using saws over 30 years ago there was no such thing as safety chain.All that was sold at farm supply stores,saw shops,hardware stores & OPE dealers was full chisel professional chain.Some places had skip chain in stock,most had to order it though.

    To my surprise the local Northern Tool store (first one in area,been here since 1995 or so) still had a few loops of boxed Oregon LGX yellow chisel chain in several sizes on the shelf back about a year ago.Most else of what they had was that worthless vanguard safety chain with the folded over depth gauges.:rolleyes: Lowes,Home Depot,Ace Hardware,Orscheln Farm Supply & a couple others have only carried that safety chain for years now.
     
    thistle, Mar 11, 2014
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  11. oldspark

    oldspark

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    I agree thistle but the times "they are a changing", I can remember some threads on the big H from people who said they would not use a saw with out a chain brake, still use my 045 with no brake and have for 30 years.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  12. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Which brands are the bad ones? I know the Stihl safety chain is one of the good ones.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  13. thistle

    thistle

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    Exactly. Saws I started with back in the day didn't have a chain brake.Infact at least 3 of my vintage or restored ones that still see regular use don't have them either.Its what we we were trained with & was taught to always be paying attention.Always know where that bar is at every moment,not just the tip either.

    Its common sense + experience - don't work when tired,take frequent breaks,know your surroundings,watch your footing on wet,icy or muddy grounds,even dry steep slopes (my usual cutting areas) can be especially treacherous.

    I like to mix it up quite often - after felling or bucking a while I switch to splitting,take a break & sharpen the chain,have a snack + some cold water or tea,even stop & take a short walk or grab the camera/shoot some photos.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2014
    thistle, Mar 11, 2014
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  14. w8ye

    w8ye

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    I don't buy safety chains!!!!

    But I mess with used saws and some will have a safety chain. I properly sharpen it, cut the safety crap way down and do my best to use the chain. To my surprise, they'll sometimes cut pretty good in regular cuts after I've fixed them up.

    Thank liability lawsuits and the EPA for safety chains?
     
    w8ye, Mar 11, 2014
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  15. Stinny

    Stinny

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    What the h*ll is safety chain? That like Safety ammo? Safety axes… Safety beer… Safety condoms… no, wait, those are just safes… :whistle:
     
    Stinny, Mar 11, 2014
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  16. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    I think it's chain designed to have low kickback. It's the green chain by Stihl...not the yellow.

    Not sure how you can tell from other manufacturers.
     
    firecracker_77, Mar 11, 2014
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  17. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    It's not so much brand as it is type. Stihl had one call RM2 or PM1 with a funky raised tiestrap type device and it was awful slow. Oregon and Carlton have both manufactured similar. The next type is the folded over raker like found in Oregon Vanguard chain. Useless!

    The least offensive type is the single-humped drivelink type like Stihl's RM3/RS3/PM3. Oregon makes similar chain and if the nose of the bar isn't cutting, you'd be hard pressed to see a big difference from standard professional chain.

    Some chain meets all the criteria for green label kickback ratings by design, like Stihls PMM3 chain. Found on their smallest saws and pole saws, it actually cuts very well leaving a small kerf behind.
     
    MasterMech, Mar 11, 2014
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  18. oldspark

    oldspark

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    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  19. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Over the years I think I have bought a little bit of everything.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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  20. oldspark

    oldspark

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    "The least offensive type is the single-humped drivelink type like Stihl's RM3/RS3/PM3. Oregon makes similar chain and if the nose of the bar isn't cutting, you'd be hard pressed to see a big difference from standard professional chain."
    That corresponds with the link to the thread I posted, glad to hear that some of the "safety" chain if fine for most uses.
     
    oldspark, Mar 11, 2014
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