New Pro Chain from Stihl

[Philbert]

So pretty when it's new . . .

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Yes...lol

 

[Duane(Pa)]

 

[RI Chevy]

I wonder what the little rounded relief under the raker does?

 

[Philbert]

Good eye.

Saves weight? Reduces vibration? Something to hang the chain from?

Philbert

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Chain is all I hoped it would be!

 

[RI Chevy]

I ran a 16" loop on my 261cm. I started with Carlton. Wood was rock hard with no bark. Carlton cut ok. About 7.5 second cuts...
I put on this Stihl 325 nk and was at 6 second cuts. 1.5 second gain.

I ran this chain on a regular Tsumura 16" 050 bar. Chain worked fine.
Thanks @Bjorn for the help.

 

[rumatt]

Anyone else try this chain?

I'm surprised there aren't more reports.

 

[RI Chevy]

I have still only cut cookies with it so I could continue testing.
I haven't attempted to sharpen it yet...

 

[Duane(Pa)]

 

[huskihl]

I wonder if that cut-out underneath the raker allows the cutter to make a longer chip before it rocks back down. Similar to filing out the gullet into a long rounded pattern

 

[RI Chevy]

Almost looks like a 2 step cutter. File the gullet, then file the cutter.

 

[rumatt]

Yikes. Am I expected to maintain that shape on the cutter when sharpening it? Because that's not happening.

 

[RI Chevy]

Not sure. I was kinda hoping someone else would figure it out. Lol

 

[N8TE]

Has anyone put one of these loops head to head with their own style of hand filed loops?

 

[N8TE]

Yikes. Am I expected to maintain that shape on the cutter when sharpening it? Because that's not happening.

Right..if I cant replicate it on my bench, I'll pass

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Yikes. Am I expected to maintain that shape on the cutter when sharpening it? Because that's not happening.

Not sure. I was kinda hoping someone else would figure it out. Lol

Agree 100% on sharpening strategy.

I have actually (carefully) cut a BUNCH of frozen oak since I got mine. Still super sharp and no need to sharpen. I plan to put a new loop on for a couple GTG's this spring. I've never seen out of the box chain this good. I'm a firewood guy, not a racer by any means.

 

[Philbert]

Yikes. Am I expected to maintain that shape on the cutter when sharpening it? Because that's not happening.

Not sure. I was kinda hoping someone else would figure it out. Lol

I raised this with a rep from another company, who promised, 'Improved Out-Of-the-Box (OOB) cutting'. I asked what about after I sharpen it the first time ( . . . . crickets . . . . ). I asked if someone could profile a grinding wheel to match their 'OOB' profile ( . . . shrugged shoulders . . . ).

For a serious user, 'OOB' lasts 1/10? 1/20? of the chain life? So if the cutter shape / geometry is 'better' (faster?), that is one thing. But if they are sharpening it on a programmable CNC grinder that I can't replicate, that is only good on a disposable chain.

JMHO

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Yes. Very true sir.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

By their own admission they say the compound angles are produced before assembly. When mine are toasted, which they eventually will be, they’ll get squared up on the Simington. I doubt I can make them any better but they’ll be sharp again.