Oregon, Carlton or Stihl for best return on money spent

buZZsaw BRAD · Jul 28, 2021

wilhary said: ↑

I have been using Oregon, Carlton, or Stihl brand chainsaws for a long time as they could be used for different purposes and also they differ from each other. New chains of the saw chain models Carlton B8, STIHL RMH, STIHL RMHS, and Oregon 18HX were evaluated in the study.
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Welcome to the FHC wilhary . Nice to have you join us. What types of wood you cutting there?

LordOfTheFlies · Aug 9, 2021

I use Stihl RS on my 028. I don't cut that much wood with the chainsaw and have about 4 or 5 chains in 18" length. I do some bucking but pretty much zero felling and just trimming rounds to length. I like the way the Stihl chain cuts and how it sharpens. It seems a bit softer than the LP Oregon semi-chisel chain I have on my Makita 14" cordless. Both saws cut just fine but I think I enjoy sharpening the Stihl more than the Oregon.

I'd suggest what Screwloose suggested - get one of each and try 'em out. Use 'em, sharpen 'em, see which one suits you better.

Woodsnwoods · Aug 9, 2021

Rope said: ↑

In frozen wood Stihl is best, I have only ran Stihl and Oregon, I also run square grind. Stihl does not seem to stretch and Oregon takes two tanks to normalize. Back in ‘18-‘19 I really nerded out on chain, got into the square file then square grind. After getting the grinder I realized that I was not near as consistent filer. I don’t think the wood cares if each tooth is filed or ground, because sharp rules. What I noticed is that Stihl stayed sharp way longer its a guess but 3 to 1 would be it.

I used a Simington 451-c, I also got into buying a 100’ roll and made my own loops, did the math and it made sense. I started with Oregon square 72 CL iirc, I preferred the Stihl over the Oregon and wound up making loops for buddies and used the Oregon up quickly and stayed with Stihl. I am looking at replacement square grinder and have ordered a roll of Stihl square grind 1640 dl was just over $500.

I would think that the amount of wood you cut will determine what’s right for you. What is your time worth? How many cords do you cut? How much spare time do you have to cut? If you have not used square grind you should add that to the test. If you can buy a loop of each see what you like, but take notes on your phone and see what the data tells you. If you don’t cut much, just buy the Stihl and don’t worry. I have not started processing wood heavy yet, I have only been through 4 gallons of fuel in the last 2 months and I have about 12 -16 sharpenings. I will be nerding out if I can get the Silvey square grinder.

Another test is to put brand new chain on, film with your phone, cut 3 cookies with each chain. View the videos and see what is faster in the same stick of wood in basically the same size wood. What did you learn? Then put a loop on and run it until dull record the data, repeat with all loops. Review the data and that’s your chain.

The next rabbit hole is a ported saw. Again how much and what’s your time is worth. I literally hate a factory saw. I do not like being out of the game right now. I am cutting with a factory 362cm with round file. It stinks how much time it takes to buck that log down. My old ported 261 w/square grind out cut this brand new 362 round file by at least 20%.

Good luck with your testing and let us know what your test show.
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Perfect answer!!!

Woodsnwoods · Aug 9, 2021

I run 100% Stihl chains, bars and saws. The chains stay sharper longer, which I prefer as I am tight on time. I also bought a good grinder and added a diamond wheel. I hand sharpen once, grind it second trip. I am very careful with the grinder to take as little tooth as needed as well. Good luck.

The Wood Wolverine · Aug 10, 2021

Woodsnwoods said: ↑

I run 100% Stihl chains, bars and saws. The chains stay sharper longer, which I prefer as I am tight on time. I also bought a good grinder and added a diamond wheel. I hand sharpen once, grind it second trip. I am very careful with the grinder to take as little tooth as needed as well. Good luck.
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But the saws cut slower, so there's that...

Woodsnwoods · Aug 10, 2021

The Wood Wolverine said: ↑

But the saws cut slower, so there's that...
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Burn!!!!.

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Oregon, Carlton or Stihl for best return on money spent

buZZsaw BRAD

LordOfTheFlies

Woodsnwoods

Woodsnwoods

The Wood Wolverine

Woodsnwoods