Archer vs Stihl

[Cat 525]

Same way here!

 

[Cat 525]

Rakers usually too high!

 

[huskyboy]

Rakers usually too high!

I think that’s what let’s lgx down out of box. Which can be fixed easily .

 

[RI Chevy]

Why?

Just doesn't cut as well. You get what you pay for.

 

[Cat 525]

That's true! Would just be nice if it would be the same from one chain to the other! Seems like it's made in different batches, etc.

 

[RI Chevy]

I have only tried a 24" loop of 3/8 050.
It does cut, just not as good as the others.

 

[T.Roller]

I'll be testing a couple loops of the round ground Archer chain at the gtg. Got 2 32" loops to try.

 

[RI Chevy]

Just watch the stretch Dave. 1st cut it really changes then seems to stabilise.

 

[Redbull661]

I am not pushing archer as the next great thing. It may well be. May well not be. For the price it's worth a shot. So far the consensus seems to be.

hardness filing - not as soft as oregon and not as hard as stihl. in the middle.

stays sharp - again about in the middle between oregon and stihl

stretch - again about in the middle between oregon and stihl

out of the box grind - some like it, some don't, I don't. Once on the grinder for sharpening or filed people really like it.

 

[RI Chevy]

I will continue to use it. No worries here. [emoji106]

 

[huskihl]

I squared up the loop I got from Julian and I thought it did alright. Stihl chain around here cost me two to three times more than what I paid for that Archer Loop

 

[deye223]

I squared up the loop I got from Julian and I thought it did alright. Stihl chain around here cost me two to three times more than what I paid for that Archer Loop

that's it and some of us want a work chain and not a play chain speed is good and all but no good
if you spend half your time with a file in your hand .

cheers D

 

[srcarr52]

I am not pushing archer as the next great thing. It may well be. May well not be. For the price it's worth a shot. So far the consensus seems to be.

hardness filing - not as soft as oregon and not as hard as stihl. in the middle.

stays sharp - again about in the middle between oregon and stihl

stretch - again about in the middle between oregon and stihl

out of the box grind - some like it, some don't, I don't. Once on the grinder for sharpening or filed people really like it.

That about sums it up.

I also like the cutter design, it's pretty similar the the Stihl Klassic body which people say it was better at clearing chips on longer bars before they changed things in interest of less vibration and possible kickback.

 

[J. Loe]

I don’t actually care about the price.
At all.

I have had quite a few problems hand filing stihl chains.
Like curse yer head off then rub off some of the chrome with a freaking stone. Burn through new files.
F that S.

Maybe the out of the box grind on stihl is faster but who cares.
I sharpen my chains.
I hand file them.

I really like the archer for that.
I also like Carlton, Oregon, forester and the Windsor chain I got from Mark.
I don’t think the stretch is terrible.
I don’t care about stretch.
I have chain adjusters.

I think archer chains have had good and bad batches.
So has every other manufacturer.

I also don’t care about out of the box grind.

Think everybody takes a few swipes off rakers when they get a new chain.

As always.
YouMileageMayVary.

 

[J. Loe]

Actually, that Forester chain I run on my mac and my Homelite is great.

That’s the next big thing f-ers

 

[huskihl]

Actually, that Forester chain I run on my mac and my Homelite is great.

That’s the next big thing *f-worders

I bought a few Loops of Forester chain. One Loop was 84 Links of semi chisel and the other was 72 links of semi chisel. The 20" was rebranded Carlton with shark fins and the 24" has long round cutters and looks more like chipper chain. Clearly not from the same manufacturer. I think they're just buying up cheap chain and shoving it in their own box. I doubt you'll ever really know what brand you're going to get when you order Forester. It does cut okay though

 

[huskyboy]

Lgx in full comp or skip for clean wood and stihl yellow RM semi chisel full comp for dirty stuff is what I prefer for my use.

 

[J. Loe]

I bought a few Loops of Forester chain. One Loop was 84 Links of semi chisel and the other was 72 links of semi chisel. The 20" was rebranded Carlton with shark fins and the 24" has long round cutters and looks more like chipper chain. Clearly not from the same manufacturer. I think they're just buying up cheap chain and shoving it in their own box. I doubt you'll ever really know what brand you're going to get when you order Forester. It does cut okay though

Got 4 loops from this gentleman in Kentucky.
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/grd/d/new-chainsaw-bars-and-chains/6698271316.html

Full chisel, full comp.
Seems pretty standardized in my experience.

Doesn’t surprise me at all that your chains would be different tho.

It’s China babies!

 

[huskihl]

Got 4 loops from this gentleman in Kentucky.
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/grd/d/new-chainsaw-bars-and-chains/6698271316.html

Full chisel, full comp.
Seems pretty standardized in my experience.

Doesn’t surprise me at all that your chains would be different tho.

It’s China babies!

Next time you're there pick us up a wheelchair

 

[J. Loe]

Next time you're there pick us up a wheelchair

Uses that for carrying liquor