Milling chain

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

Story goes the rx is named after Rex Lucas who helped develop the 5-skip chain for their slabbers in their Lucas Mill products. I've been looking lately but can't find any significant comparisons of chains in the sawmill slabber application this rx chain is said to be designed for. Would be great if anyone knows of such comparisons. I'm wondering if there is an inflection point where the benefits of a 5-skip are not worth it when taking into account the increased wear over a regular skip. I also wonder if 3/8 would stand up to the torque pulling them, which is significantly more than most chainsaws.

 

[Douglas Ostrander]

From my understanding the 27RX chain is for the Lucas so the mill isn't pulled sideways and tips over. More cutters would create more sidways pull on the Lucas mill. From what I have seen the mill is already hanging in the wind. 27RX is recommended on logs greater than 30 inches on the Lucas Mill.

 

[Douglas Ostrander]

I counted my 27RX chain with 190 drive links and it has a total of 26 cutters. Should be quick to sharpen. Angles for grinder are 15 deg 50 deg tilt with 10 deg offset.

 

[Brian72]

I have the same setup (661 with 28 and 36" bars.) I've used Stihl RS and also Woodland Pro (Carlton) ripping chain. Both worked well. The ripping chain seemed to run a little smoother but not a drastic difference. It's not that expensive either. I'll probably just stick to regular chain from now on. No matter what you choose, sharpening is the key. I'm considering trying the square grind myself but never filed it. I have to do some research.

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

From my understanding the 27RX chain is for the Lucas so the mill isn't pulled sideways and tips over. More cutters would create more sidways pull on the Lucas mill. From what I have seen the mill is already hanging in the wind. 27RX is recommended on logs greater than 30 inches on the Lucas Mill.

There sure is a fair whack of side loads and vibes involved. The mills do have side stays for the end posts and there is also an optional (?) mid-track side stay if need be, that I can see being useful albeit a bit of extra fluffing about, if slabbing. That said, slabbing at the top of a large log with normal skip or full comp chain might be asking too much of the side stays given the angles involved.

Another thought on the side loads is that I wonder if the slabbing attachment on the swing mills, (as opposed to the dedicated slabber), creates accelerated wear on bearings/gearbox. At least with the dedicated slabber there are belts and pulleys rather than direct drive.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Personally I like the .404 over 3/8 because of the extra chain speed and more durable cutter since I cut lots of yard trees. I have hit everything from small nails to lag bolts.

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

For chain speed, why not go up a pin in the 3/8 rim pin count? i guess not enough of an improvement in cutting speed (lower kerf) to justify the lack of resilience compared to .404?

This whole thing with the 27rx chain to minimise side loads on the lucas slabbers got me thinking about the smaller kerf of the 3/8 placing less sideways load. Just up the pin count by one, maybe even have less of a skip pattern on the 3/8 compared to the rx, thus slightly more cutters, and see if it cuts better without excessive lateral loads. But like you say, there's often grit/dirt/metal in the log just waiting for the chance to ruin our days.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I run all grandberg mills, I have used the 3/8” and it works well to and cuts fine. I use the 3/8” on my 044 hybrid or 064 on smaller logs. The much higher rpm of these saws seems to more than make up for the .404 chain speed 075 and 090 over 3/8”.

 

[CoreyB]

I just put together some loops of full chisel 3/8 (round file) Oregon ripping chain 3/8 and some 27ax 404. I hope to try some out tomorrow . I have the 3/8 full chisel on the saw now and will probably start with that. I hope to learn how to square file. Wish I could find a grinder like a semington or what ever it is called but so luck.

 

[Douglas Ostrander]

I assume the chain marks are normal. I was running the 27rx chain loose. They will plain out easily. Looked like the back side of the chain was making the grooves.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Keeping the chain tight helps a lot with the finish.

 

[Wolverine]

I assume the chain marks are normal. I was running the 27rx chain loose. They will plain out easily. Looked like the back side of the chain was making the grooves.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Might help if you stone the chain. Also check your bar groove condition. I had one V out on me pretty bad, I think because I used a non specific oil for the bar and most flung off the tip.

 

[mdavlee]

I assume the chain marks are normal. I was running the 27rx chain loose. They will plain out easily. Looked like the back side of the chain was making the grooves.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

For 404 that’s pretty smooth. If it was a little loose that’s part of the reason

 

[Douglas Ostrander]

Got better with tight chain. Bar was new when cutting the walnut slabs

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[RI Chevy]

Wow! Real nice. [emoji106]

 

[Wolverine]

Looks real good from where I sit!

 

[Wolverine]

Home owner says.. there’s no metal in it, I planted it years ago and never hung a bird house or anything.
1/2 way through first cut

Saw was cutting so fast by the time I heard/felt it, it was wayyy too late. Looked in the kerf and there was a big ol screw. I dig 1/2 way in the bark and found the head. Backed it out and gave it to him. Proceeded to spend an hour with a double bevel to see if we could do anymore. Back in the log and I see sparks, chain won’t cut. Pulled it out and took those pics.

 

[RI Chevy]

Yikes. Can't like that post. Sorry. You fix it or just put a new toof on it?

 

[Wonkydonkey]

Yup, been there, it suck..... this one had 2 nails, cut throu them twice.

 

[Wolverine]

Yikes. Can't like that post. Sorry. You fix it or just put a new toof on it?

Shoot, at least a dozen are like that on one side. Friend with a grinder is going to do some restorations for me. I told the log owner he needs to find someone with a metal detector before we proceed.