Just incase anyone is wondering, the County Line chains at Tractor Suppy are junk. Since they are made in China, I would not-recommend even if they were good - but nevertheless they are a waste of time and money. I could use a few more chains and one day while shopping in there I saw the shelf of them. I started looking and found that they are model specific. I guess it was the mood I was in, but I ended up grabbing one for my MS170 and MS290. When I got home with them, I compared them to a good Sthil chain and saw that they do not have the little oil carrier holes in the guide area. That was when I also noticed China. This far in, I had to try one so I went ahead and grabbed the bar for the MS170. Chain WAS the right chain (size, pitch) but would not fit correctly. It technically "fit" but it was machined on the high end of the tolerance it seems and was very tight on the bar and would not move. Needless to say, I packed them back up and returned em. Should have known better. They can keep there crap! No made in China for me as much as I can possibly manage. As of late, even if I need it and it's from China I won't buy it. My mistake on these chains - I think I was Firewood Drunk and forgot to look!
I had the same experience when trying to get a chain there for my MS170. There was almost no clearance in the track between the bar and chain, and once I got a few links seated in, it was impossible to move. I was desperate that day and went to Home Depot to try their version and same thing It pays to get good chains. I had no trouble with the TSC County Line chains I use on my 029 Super, although I don't think they hold an edge as long as OEM chains do. I guess that's to be expected when the metal used to make them comes from recycled Dodge neons and old refrigerators.
I always keep a few spare quality loops on hand for each saw, to avoid this happening. I watch eBay like a hawk and manage to get new, good quality chains (Stihl, Husqvarna, Oregon, etc.) at 50% to 80% discount. Some people don't know what they are selling.
There are alot of online sources for buying quality sawchain. I buy mine at Loggerchain.com. they beat my local shop by 40% or more and have never messed up my order.
Our local Stihl shop does BOGO pricing on chains...price is a bit high for one, but for 2 its a deal!
Hahahaha! I actually tried that at the local Stihl dealer. He told me to buy something or get out, I know him pretty well & spend decent $$ there so it was all in good fun. They do the BOGO as well & it's a decent price for good chain.
I'm in the same boat. I try to go as far as I can to source what I need that isn't chinese. Chains, saws and saw parts are one area I just won't do it. Several times I've found excellent scores on CL locally or fleabay. My last haul was 8 new-in-box loops of Oregon LGX 32" chains for $100.
You should share your bounty with the less fortunate folk living in the impoverished areas to your West . . . .
