Rating; which chainsaw chain is better?
The chain for a chainsaw is the main sawing element, so the efficiency of working with wood will depend on the quality. The article contains the best chains and manufacturers.
Husqvarna chains
Husqvarna cannot be called a developer of replacement equipment for powertrains, however, this brand has all the patents for the production of chains, as well as all the necessary technologies. This Swedish brand develops chains at the Oregon plant. Husqvarna was one of the first companies to renew its range of accessories for hobbyist and semi-professional sawing tools. According to this program, the products manufactured by the company can easily complement devices of different manufacturers, from "ELECTROLUX MOTORS" to "Partner", etc.
Stihl chains
STIHL develops not only power units, but also saw chains separately, which are often used interchangeably for tools from other brands. This company develops the bulk of the replacement equipment on a production line in Switzerland using the highest quality raw materials, including high alloy chromium-nickel steel, which allows Stihl products to be as strong and reliable as possible. It is interesting that even with intensive use of the chain of this brand, the carved element will not stretch (and this usually leads to the loss of all standard features), since saw chains are riveted on hot metal.
All the recesses of the connecting links are machined using rivets made of high-hardened material. The even distribution of oil along the STIHL chains is ensured by the company’s patented oil groove system, which are located in the profiles of the driving teeth. Top sawing accessories.
- High profile Rapid Micro with 3 / 8in pitch with 0.325 ” links. The links are different in thickness, within 1.3-1.6 millimeters. All links are of the Chipper type. Such chains have proven themselves well on construction sites and in the agricultural sector. All the cutting edges of this replaceable element are high enough, due to which the cutting performance is increased. The chain wears out slowly, but when it’s time to sharpen it, it’s easy to do it with special notches.
- Low profile Picco Micro with 3/8-inch steps. Such an element was created under the CHIPPER links with a thickness of 1.3 millimeters. Note that the chippers on this headset have different cushioning lugs. This chain is good for all kinds of jobs. She, like others in the Stihl line, has notches with which it is easy to control the level of wear of the carved element, and also to re-sharpen when the need arises.
- Low profile Pico Micro Mini chain with 3/8 inch pitch. This headset is designed for links with a thickness of 1.1 mm, cutting teeth type – "CHIPPER". Please note that this type of teeth is slightly rounded, due to which the movement of these elements is smooth, this allows you to carry out a number of sawing operations as comfortably and efficiently as possible, and also guarantees a neat cut. Such a chain is installed on one or two-handed tools, lightweight models. Vibration is reduced by the chamfered cut depth stop.
Which chain to choose for a chainsaw?
Not sure which chain to choose for your chainsaw? Rely on this rating.
Husqvarna chains
Husqvarna cannot be called a developer of replacement equipment for powertrains, however, this brand has all the patents for the production of chains, as well as all the necessary technologies. This Swedish brand develops chains at the Oregon plant. Husqvarna was one of the first companies to renew its range of accessories for hobbyist and semi-professional sawing tools. According to this program, the products manufactured by the company can easily complement devices of different manufacturers, from "ELECTROLUX MOTORS" to "Partner", etc.
Oregon Cutting Systems
Chains from Oregon Cutting Systems, which is the representative of a larger company called BlountIncorporation. The latter is considered the leader among manufacturers of saw chains, guide sets, and other accessories (not only for gasoline tools, but also for electric ones). Oregon Cutting Systems is renowned for its patented steel alloy, which, due to its high toughness, is guaranteed to be wear resistant.
The overwhelming majority of the chains of this company have a chrome coating, as well as special notches that allow sharpening the chain (when it is unevenly worn) more efficiently and accurately. A great advantage of the products of this company, when compared with others, is the presence of an innovative vibration suppression system. In addition, both the leading and connecting links are formed so that each of their recesses, each hole is well lubricated, and the uniform distribution of the lubricant ensures that the risk of damage to the replaceable headset is reduced. Popular Oregon chain models include:
- The high profile Oregon 59AC has a pitch of 0.404 in. This model is made with links, is 1.6 millimeters thick, and the carved teeth are of the Chipper type. This chain is ideal for those who are engaged in AL-KOy forests, since the structural features of the 59AC model make it as easy as possible to cut wood (even the densest) in the transverse plane. Among the main design features: a large chain pitch, a large sharpening angle, an increased quality of cutting teeth, which will not dull longer. The latter are also easy to sharpen.
- Low-profile model Super70, with a 3 \ 8-inch pitch, which is made for links from 1.3 millimeters to 1.6 millimeters, the teeth are of the "CHISEL" type. Such a carved element belongs to the professional one, which can provide a good result when cross-cutting. The productivity of the tool is increased due to this exchangeable equipment. Additional advantages: the presence of a vibration reduction system (due to shock absorbers), the presence of microreservoirs (recesses) for lubrication.
- Low profile 91R chain with 3 / 8in pitch. This model features 1.3mm links and CHIPPER teeth. This model is suitable for longitudinal sawing and is easy to re-sharpen thanks to the optimal toothing. The same feature allows you to make more accurate cuts, to achieve accurate cutting. The depth gauge is slightly chamfered, which means recoil and vibration is reduced, which allows the operator to easily manipulate the tools.
Stihl chains
STIHL develops not only power units, but also saw chains separately, which are often used interchangeably for tools from other brands. This company develops the bulk of the replacement equipment on a production line in Switzerland using the highest quality raw materials, including high alloy chromium-nickel steel, which allows Stihl products to be as strong and reliable as possible. It is interesting that even with intensive use of the chain of this brand, the carved element will not stretch (and this usually leads to the loss of all standard features), since saw chains are riveted on hot metal.
All the recesses of the connecting links are machined using rivets made of high-hardened material. The even distribution of oil along the STIHL chains is ensured by the company’s patented oil groove system, which are located in the profiles of the driving teeth. Top sawing accessories.
- High profile Rapid Micro model with 3/8 in. Pitch with 0.325 inch links. The links are different in thickness, within 1.3-1.6 millimeters. All links are of the Chipper type. Such chains have proven themselves well on construction sites and in the agricultural sector. All the cutting edges of this replaceable element are high enough, due to which the cutting performance is increased. The chain wears out slowly, but when it comes time to sharpen, do it simply by using special notches.
- Low profile Picco Micro with 3/8-inch steps. Such an element was created under the CHIPPER links with a thickness of 1.3 millimeters. Note that the chippers on this headset have different cushioning lugs. This chain is good for all kinds of jobs. She, like others in the Stihl line, has notches with which it is easy to control the level of wear of the carved element, and also to re-sharpen when the need arises.
- Low profile Pico Micro Mini chain with 3/8 inch pitch. This headset is designed for links with a thickness of 1.1 mm, cutting teeth type – "CHIPPER". Please note that this type of teeth is slightly rounded, due to which the movement of these elements is smooth, this allows you to carry out a number of sawing operations as comfortably and efficiently as possible, and also guarantees a neat cut. Such a chain is installed on one or two-handed tools, lightweight models. Vibration is reduced by the chamfered cut depth stop.
Stihl chainsaw chain which is better
Like the chainsaws themselves, the chains under them differ: in purpose, quality, shape of the cutting surface, size of the link and step, and other parameters.
Stihl chainsaw chain – which one is better?
The short answer to this question is the one that suits your particular saw model and has the best cutting force among other things being equal. For example, it is believed that chain for hardwood – this is Stihl Picco Duro (this is – Stihl Victory Braided Chains). They last at least 4 times longer than conventional chains. This has been verified by sawing a log with concrete inserts where super tooth chain Stihl fully retained its performance after 10 cuts of such wood-concrete material, while the usual chain failed, even without mastering 3 full cuts.
How to choose a chain for a Stihl chainsaw for periodic work in a private house / in the country? For the most popular models like MS 180, 0.375 ″ P Picco Micro (1.3 mm) options are suitable for 50, 51, 55, 56 links. There may be a different length – if you buy a coil in a coil, which is then riveted into a chain with a Stihl riveting machine of the length you need.
Which chains are best for chainsaws for pruning bushes and generally comfortable cutting? The same 0.375 ″ Picco Micro will do, only 1.1 mm thick (used on MS 170, 180, 211, 230). Be careful – for a narrow chain, also purchase a tire of the appropriate narrowness so as not to wear out the headset, bar and seat.
Which saw chains are best for felling? 0.375 ″ P Picco Super (1.3 millimeters). It is the choice of the logging professionals who cut trees every day, year after year. This chain has teeth that are ideal for harvesting even thousands of cubic meters of wood per month, because:
- Made in the form of a bit;
- Provide a smooth ride;
- Give a reduced level of vibration;
- Do not generate bounces due to the smoothness of cutting into a tree;
- Give a clean cut surface.
Which chains are best for oak, and, in particular, for making a shaped cut? It is no secret that it is oak that is the favorite material for making wooden products because of its strength, elasticity and natural resistance to drying out. For this purpose, use a 0.25 ″ Rapid Micro Spezial (1.3 mm) which has a shortened top edge of the teeth to minimize plunge forces.
Chain lubrication
Everything, even the best chains for chainsaws, need lubrication. Lubrication is carried out with an adhesive chain oil specially formulated for chainsaw chains. "Adhesive" means that it has a high surface adhesion coefficient ("stickiness") – in this case, this is necessary so that at high chain speeds, the oil remains on it, rather than splashing around due to centrifugal force. Chain lubrication is required:
- To reduce the friction of the chain with the driving and driven sprockets;
- To maintain the qualities of free rotation of individual chain links;
- To avoid overheating of the metal, which in this case completely or almost completely loses its main working properties.
Since oil facilitates sliding, machine “working off” cannot be used for lubrication – it contains a large amount of small fractions of metal, which only leads to increased friction and quick failure of the moving parts of the saw (this can be hazardous to health).
Sharpening the chain
Even tungsten carbide chain wears out, not to mention ordinary chains made of relatively soft metal. Professional lumberjacks know that the current sharpening of the chain should be optimally carried out after every 2-3 fully used up gas tanks (this does not mean full sharpening, just the current sharpening). For this, there are both special hand files for saw chains and Stihl machines that make automatic cuts when manually feeding and fixing the chain. Chains with hard tooth pads are best sharpened on machine tools, as manual sharpening is long and requires a lot of effort.
Chainsaw chain: which is better
Often, owners of chainsaws are faced with a misunderstanding of the designation of chains and tires. This kind of confusion can lead to the acquisition of the wrong part, and as a result, wasted funds. To avoid problems, you need to know about the features of choosing a chain for a chainsaw and its characteristics.
- Varieties of elements
- Step size and tail thickness
- The geometry of the teeth
- Tire and chain size
- The most reliable brands of chains
Tire and chain size
For basic jobs such as trimming thin planks and knots, you can use 11-14 ” tires. Chainsaws with these tires are very efficient and compact. For thicker logs, use the largest tires on the tool. Before choosing this element, you need to read the instructions for use.
The chain size is determined by the length of the bar on the equipment. If the selected chain is smaller than the bar, then it will not work. It will not be possible to fit it onto a smaller tire. This indicator is also defined in inches or millimeters.
Step size and tail thickness
Different units are designed for different chain pitches. The only exception is professional equipment for which any cutting elements are suitable. The smaller the step, the lower the performance level of the device and the greater the load on the engine.
Experts also highlight such an indicator as Device "aggressiveness". This refers to the ease of management. The large step makes the teeth begin to "tear" the material. In addition, a wide step increases the cutting width, respectively, the performer will have to make much more effort so that the apparatus does not fall out of hand.
Ponytail thickness (driving link) is another important parameter of the saw part. The thicker this element, the better and stronger the goal. However, when choosing an element for work, you need to check the information specified in the operation manual of the device.