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lwhaples

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Need some wisdom.Went into to a Thrift type store today to look for tools.Didn't see anything I needed so asked about anything being chainsaw related.Girl said they had some chains,good sized box of new Stihl chains. Which at first meant nothing,till I saw some was .050. I bought 3 chains, 16inch is 33rs3 but the 18 and 20 are 33rs. I read where the chain stays sharper longer? Should be worth the $15. each right? Was thinking maybe I should ask about what the rest was worth,only I don't run any .063
 

fearofpavement

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.063 gauge is what Stihl runs on many of their smaller saws. $15 is a good price for any Stihl chain if it fits your saw. Keep in mind that the correct length is determined by drive link count. Bar length is "nominal" and chain length varies by bar and saw manufacturer. ie, a 20" bar may take 70 drive links or 72 drive links depending.
Hope what you bought fits. Stihl makes chains for a lot of different saws, not just Stihls.
 

lwhaples

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Thanks,the drive numbers are right.That's why I bought one of each,just need to check the fit.
 

fearofpavement

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On most Stihl bars, they use the .043 gauge picco stuff on the very small saws, .325 x .063" gauge on stuff up through the MS261 and 291 and then 3/8 x .050 on all the larger saws. Until you get into the long bars then often they are back to 3/8 x .063" again. There are so many variations of bars and chains out there that I can go to my shop where I have a dozen different kinds of chain and still not have the correct one for the saw I'm working on. And once you start talking really old saws, there's variations that many have never even seen. Pitches of chain like 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 and so forth. I've got some joining links that I believe are for 7/16 chain. I don't have a single link of that stuff in house.

All that to say, it's not as easy as one might think to buy the right chain for a saw...
 

lwhaples

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Thanks for the added info. The 20 inch fits my 2165 with a Sugi bar,but there isn't much adjustment left.
 

MustangMike

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I tried to simplify my own stuff. I used to have both .050 & .063 in 24", so I sold the .050 B&C to a friend. Now, all my 20" is .050, all my 24" and 28" is .063, but my 36" is back to .050, the deal on the "light" bar was just too good not to get it.

When I first purchased the 044 with the 24" .063 bar, I did not realize it (saw was from out West). I was running .050 chain on a .063 bar, OILED LIKE A PIG!!!
 

Crzybowhntr

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Stihl chain is a darn good chain. Though with a good sharpening and lowering the raker a bit more than stock sure helps. lol

I agree. I can get a stihl chain sharper than an Oregon, but for the small amount of cutting I do since switching to mainly coal for heat, the $15 to $17 Oregon LGX 18-24" is all I need.
 

Philbert

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$15 is a good price for a new loop of STIHL chain. Check with a local dealer to see what you would have paid there.

Having a couple of different types lets you compare the chains. The '3' at the end means that the chain has a bumper on the drive link to provide a smoother cut and to reduce kickback.

http://www.stihlusa.com/information/how-to-guides/saw-chain-identification/

Philbert
 
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lwhaples

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Well,I went back in to see about getting a few more loops. HE,wasn't as friendly with the pricing. Wasn't moving any less than $20,which might have been fine.Just the way he came across.A lot of good info,Thanks.
 
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KenJax Tree

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I agree. I can get a stihl chain sharper than an Oregon, but for the small amount of cutting I do since switching to mainly coal for heat, the $15 to $17 Oregon LGX 18-24" is all I need.
I have found the opposite. I can get Oregon sharper than Stihl because the chrome is harder on Stihl but Stihl stays sharp a little longer.
 

CR888

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I can get the cheapest of cheap chingy China chain razor sharp and cutting like an angry beaver. Problem is that after a couple of times sharpened it stretches so much it almost changes to the next size up in pitch. You can easily see the quality of Stihl chain holding a loop by the cutters horizontally so the links suspend themselves in an arch shape as they face down to the ground. The amount of 'bend' in Stihl chain is a LOT less than other brands. But 3 cookies in a saw heat on a hopped up saw, chingy chain may be the faster option.
 

Philbert

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Bailey's sometimes has sales on 10 loops of Carlton / Woodland Pro chain, which can be a good deal on good chain. You can sometimes find good deals on 'once-used' chain on eBay - have to be careful, though: I have seen used STIHL chain sell for as much (shipping included) as new STIHL chain (sales tax included) from my local dealer.

However, I have also scored some less common loops I run (.325 narrow kerf) for as low as $4 ('once-used')- $6 per loop ('new-old-stock' NOS) on eBay. One seller contacted me to ask if I could use more!

Sometimes good deals on used chain posted by members here, and on other sites. If you can sharpen chain, and if you have a spinner and breaker to re-size loops, you can sometimes pick them up for $1 a loop (or less!) at garage sales, estate sales, etc. Depends on how much effort and fussing you are willing to do.

If you are loyal to a specific brand, model, size, and only want new chain, you need to be a little more luck to find special deals. Like the OP mentioned, they might change day-to-day!

Philbert
 
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CR888

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If Stihl chain was the price of Woodland pro it would out sell other brands 10:1 imo. But its not, its usually 20%-50% dearer which makes one think about value and what is best for their situation and cutting requirements. Other chain cuts well and is good quality but at the end of the day Id rather run well filed/ground chain regardless of brand. I've pretty much run all of them extensively and have yet to find any chain I could not make perform respectively. Price and cutter length are big factors for me when buying work chain. For example l love oregon 90/91series chain and its design, its smooth and performs great but vxl and N1 have cutter lengths near twice as long so what do I buy for the same price? They all make the same noise when thrown in the trash can once used up, how many filings you get up till that point is what counts for me.
 
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