How often do you

Change your drive sprocket? Just watched the WCS video at Oregon tool factory and the Oregon folks recommend replacing after 2 loops of chain.
hmm I guess those 2010 261’s are due after using up several 100’ of chain

 

Recommendations are getting ridiculous. They're there to sell more product. I'm sure someone will tell ya it's cheap insurance to replace it. I say have a backup with if you're that worried about it and run it till the chain starts skipping.

 

Thats crazy talk. Need a new bar every 4 loops too?

I run them until its almost worn through as long as the chain isn't skipping.

 

I watch the wear. About here is close to where I change. I have so many chains in rotation I have no idea how many per rim.



-in case this turns into the new rim hoarding thread;

 

I didn't know that they could be replaced. I thought you had to buy another saw. Boy i feel silly.

 

What you said is a great excuse to keep buying new saws
When the old lady says why are you buying another saw just say the sprocket is showing wear and you can’t chance being down a saw

 

His old lady has heard em all by now, no way would she buy that!

 

That's so the truth!

 

I never have. Years back my OPE dealer recommended replacing it on my 028 back in the late 80's. It was a spur sprocket. Thinking back it didn't look that bad.

Do rim sprockets wear out?

 

I’d say the wear is accelerated when a chain jumps repeatedly, the drivers get mashed and the chain is put back on and run without tending the drivers.

 

Yes they do, but not as fast as the manufacturer would like you to believe. Cheap to keep a one on hand but don't be concerned until it acts up.

 

I guess the issue is the pitch changes as the rim wears out. That will stretch a chain almost instantly. It doesn't take much. So if you ever put a new chain on and it goes slack right away, that's probably it

 

How many of you have stretched a chain until it's broke? Let me simplify that a little more and say, has anyone had a chain break on them? Personally i have not.

 

I have not either. Stretching the norm especially if I'm noodling.

 

Yep. And had one tie strap break, caught it while grinding. Milling with a 10 horse ported big cc saw is hard on chain. Especially when you strike metal.

 

Personally, I've filed into the tie strap pretty far while hand sharpening and trying different angles. Haven't had those break either.

 

Obviously the extreme but still not a "broken" chain. I'm thinking 2 ends while it's still "mounted" on a running saw. Or a running saw and the chain is on the ground or thrown into the operator.

 

Yes, I’ve had that happen as well.

 

First I've heard. I'm gonna keep pushing the limits until i get a broken one. At least then I'll know what it takes to break one and i can adjust my process from there. I assume it'll all depend on how much hp a saw has and the "bite" of the chain.

 

Nevah