In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

How to ruin a brand new chain

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by swags, May 11, 2014.

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  1. swags

    swags Moderator

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    So I went back out to finish cutting up the big maple I dropped the other day. The main trunk was about 36 inches and was somewhat hollow at the stump but I didn't realize how hollow it was further up. I had the 32" bar and a brand new full comp stihl chain on the 460 and on the 6th cut it stopped cutting half ways through the trunk. I had to switch bars since I only have 1 chain for that bar. I went back and finished the precious cut and moved it so I could see into the hollow spot. Was surprised to find this sitting 10' up from the stump. It pretty much ruined the chain, then on the next cut after I had dug everything out of there I found one more little rock and got a 20" chain. Dang 2 chains in two cuts. Even found a bag of potato chips in there.
     

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    swags, May 11, 2014
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  2. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Ouch! That's the problem with chisel chain. Find something good and will never sharpen correctly unless you remove all the damage. Semi-chisel would take a heavy grind, reset the rakers and back to cutting. You have a good bit of grinder time ahead of you to get that loop back in service. :confused:
     
    MasterMech, May 11, 2014
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  3. swags

    swags Moderator

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    Yeah that's over half ways gone
     
    swags, May 11, 2014
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  4. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    That sucks!
     
    Well Seasoned, May 11, 2014
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  5. Certified106

    Certified106

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    Bummer, that really stinks!
     
    Certified106, May 11, 2014
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  6. thistle

    thistle

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    One of the bad things about yardbirds. That Cherry I'm working on has most of the main trunk hollow,so far nothing but dirt/grubs/ants in it.
     
    thistle, May 11, 2014
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  7. HDRock

    HDRock

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    That really really sucks, did number on the rock, and rock did a number on the chain
    A lot of dirt in them hollow trees but I wouldn't expect rocks
     
    HDRock, May 11, 2014
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  8. swags

    swags Moderator

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    Yeah I never expected it up that high
     
    swags, May 11, 2014
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  9. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    Ouch... That sucks but chit happens.

    Gonna take some grinding to get that one back. :)
     
    DexterDay, May 11, 2014
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  10. swags

    swags Moderator

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    Somebody got a raker depth gauge to bring to the G2G?
     
    swags, May 11, 2014
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  11. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    Yep. I'm bringing a couple
     
    DexterDay, May 11, 2014
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  12. My IS heats my home

    My IS heats my home

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    I had the same thing happen to me last year. A hollow was filled with concrete, smoked a chain after I saw the sparks flying. damm city trees, never know what secrets the tree is hiding.
     
    My IS heats my home, May 12, 2014
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  13. nate

    nate Banned

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    I'm a fan of semi chisel. I have not had luck with full chisel saying sharp. Seems like a bit of grit/dirt in the park is enough to kill it.
    Some trees I've cut I've had little sparks coming off (can see at night).
    I'm told its from silt getting sandblasted into the bark from the high winds.., dunno?
    Anyhow a semi chisel seems to cut forever.
     
    nate, May 12, 2014
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  14. nate

    nate Banned

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    Bark not park. Sorry, on my phone and not able to edit.
     
    nate, May 12, 2014
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  15. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Sorry about your chain Swags. When I read the title, I knew this thread had my name on it… :emb: I always saw where there are unstoppable gravity forces pulling my bar down into the dirt until I hit a huge rock… :whistle: Gawd, if it wasn't for those rocks, I'd prolly tear off the muffler… :headbang: Now, I've been reminded that auto chain sharpening "devices" live inside the trees too. Awesome… :rolleyes:

    At least I've got the pallet man all over it now… ;) If I was trying to sharpen my chains, they'd be the ultimate safety chain… wouldn't be able to cut cardboard with em.
     
    Stinny, May 12, 2014
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  16. Joe

    Joe

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    I just bought a new 20" loop of stihl RS and left it loose before starting to cut... It came off the bar and screwed up the links do they won't fit in the bar. Got it filed down so it works again, but I'll know for the rest of the summer it's a junk chain.

    I feel your pain. It sucks.
     
    Joe, May 12, 2014
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  17. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    When the wood looks like what swags has in his pictures, I too am a big fan of semi-chisel. My favorite flavor is Stihl RM, yellow label, no safety links, all business. Just a good work chain for dirty conditions.
     
    MasterMech, May 12, 2014
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  18. bogydave

    bogydave

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    Did one many years ago that someone had poured concrete in the hollow of the tree.
    Yard trees, you seem to always find surprises

    Bummer !
     
    bogydave, May 12, 2014
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  19. thewoodlands

    thewoodlands

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    That sucks Swags, money in money out.
     
    thewoodlands, May 12, 2014
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  20. lukem

    lukem

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    I could easily see my kids putting rocks in a tree out in the yard....they put them everywhere else!
     
    lukem, May 12, 2014
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