I just read a post where someone hit some nails while cutting. When I was looking for chains I noticed there are carbide chains. I assume they require sharpening tools that I don't have. What is the consensus on carbide chains?
mightve been my thread. Ive never owned nor cut with a carbide chain. They are use on rescue saws by firemen. Ive heard they dont cut as well as "normal" chains. I had thought of getting one, but would have to invest in a diamond file or whatever is needed to sharpen one. Not that i would start being more careless by cutting into dirt etc. May be a good idea if one is cutting a lot of skidded/dirty wood. Maybe huskihl would know.
Probably not worth the cost of the chain for most firewood cutters. I know a guy that used them and they cut about the same as regular chains but like Brad said require specialized sharpening.
I sharpen carbide chains its a pain its special wheels and its a wet grinding method with a diamond wheel but carbide does last a long time cutting but when you hit metal it chips or breaks the carbide off I have a fence contractor that uses them they cut a lot of roots and dirty wood and they hold up real well but the cost is worth it for him it cuts down on labor time a 16'' chain is 130.00 I ran rapco carbide on a 28'' bar on a 2095 Jonsered when I cut wood for sale and they last a long time the wood I was getting was from land clearing and it had a lot of dirty bark and it did not bother it where a standard chain would not have held up but at the time that chain was 175.00 my cost JB
I’ve never used one, so I don’t know for certain. But everything I’ve heard has been similar to the experiences above
Carbide is hard, but brittle. And very expensive. I'd love to have one for stumps, but, so expensive. I think if you were cutting full bore on a piece of wood and encountered a pipe in the log, it would still chip. But, never having experienced this, I'm speculating. I have had carbide tools chip, just not one of those spendy chains.
Like the others have said; a specialized tool for a specialized job. Not the best for the average farwood cutter. Expensive to purchase and sharpen. Ifin you's gotts nearon $200 what aint doin' nuffin, den you's getts one 'o dem bad boys, fo giggles and grins iffin fo nuttin else!
I will stick to the regular chains. I need to learn how to use my harbour Freight electric sharpener because I didn't sharpen the chains the last time I used it. I made a mess of the chains so will read the manual again.
I had one a few years ago. I could cut right thru logs covered in dirt without dulling the chain. biggest problem i had was the teeth kept breaking off. I ended up pitching the chain. 10/10 would buy one again if I had dirty/muddy logs to process.
If you're going to cut dirty logs, a better choice would be a semi-chisel chain. Hold an edge better than full chisel and can sharpen with regular file. A diamond wheel is about $130. Then high cost of carbide chain. And they cut slower.
I have the HF sharpener, and have never gotten the hang of getting a good edge on my chains. I think it probably works ok for a certain size of chain, but I don't know which one. I've used it on three different sizes, and finally gave up and bought a granberg jig. I'm not great even with that. Let us know how the HF sharpener works out. I could use some tips!
ive tested the stihl carbide chains in 325 and 3/8 they cut slower than regular round they do last longer in dirty frozen wood but the 325x18 was 65 and the 3/8x20 was 85 unless you are cutting roots and such to me they are not worth it as others have said they are brittle and the teeth will chip and break if you hit metal and might as well kiss the chain goodbye
I don't like the sound of this. I got it with one of their discount coupons so don't have a lot invested in it.
What I did on the red oak that was ground contact was to cut most of the way through and then put a worn chain on the saw I didn't mind if it hit the ground. Even then I was careful.
I have a HF chain grinder that a friend gave me. After a few uses, I see why. I finally saved up and bought a great grinder that has more adjustments to it, with hydraulic chain clamp.
