Rotatec Guide bar and chain

[Paul Tomo]

I gather that rotatec guide bars and rotatec chains are at the lower end of the market and at a very responsible priced but what about the quality of these products. Although I’m using these items I would be grateful for some feedback has I’m thinking of using Stihl guide bar & chain for my Stihl chainsaws.

 

Thanks Paul 

[Stubby]

10 minutes ago, Paul Tomo said:

I gather that rotatec guide bars and rotatec chains are at the lower end of the market and at a very responsible priced but what about the quality of these products. Although I’m using these items I would be grateful for some feedback has I’m thinking of using Stihl guide bar & chain for my Stihl chainsaws.

 

Thanks Paul 

I have never used them but , from most of the posts about them it seems its a kinda " you get what you pay for " type of thing . Some people say not so good , others seem quite happy . Its your call really .

[gdh]

Rotatech chains are the best value I've found while still keeping a decent quality, most people I know who have tried them have switched to them. Stihl chains are slightly faster but triple the price and blunt on mud and stone just as easily if not worse so it depends on your priorities.

 

Rotatech bars are cheaper but I found they were too soft, especially if you always cut in the same place so I use Oregon or husqvarna (no experience with Stihl although most people like them).

 

[doobin]

40 minutes ago, gdh said:

Rotatech chains are the best value I've found while still keeping a decent quality, most people I know who have tried them have switched to them. Stihl chains are slightly faster but triple the price and blunt on mud and stone just as easily if not worse so it depends on your priorities.

 

Rotatech bars are cheaper but I found they were too soft, especially if you always cut in the same place so I use Oregon or husqvarna (no experience with Stihl although most people like them).

 

What he said. Can't fault the chains whatsoever, would never go back to paying double.

Edited November 8, 2019 by doobin

[spuddog0507]

As stubby says you get what you pay for, the chains i find either dont sharpen as well as stihl or oregon, some of the rototech chains i have had there will be one or two cutters that are either hard or to soft ! there does not seem to be a hardness consistancy on the cutters, only time i now use rotatech chains is for cutting arb waste up dont use them on the forestry work any more, Oregon chains i find to be about the best for price and durability, only thing i can say about rotatech bars are they are heavey,,, 

[Dan Maynard]

I tried a couple of rotatech, and didn't switch either. To me it's pointless having a good saw and then slowing it down by not having the best chain. A bit like buying a sports car and putting cheap tyres on.

[Silverhooker]

The bars are heavy and don't last, the chains strech like rubber bands and are of inconsistent quality. I use them only to cut up muddy stuff and roots, where the low price makes up for the fact they are going to get trashed. I would use the chains if they could iron out the inconsistent quality, like much in life you get what you pay for. A good saw needs a good sharp chain .

[The avantgardener]

A novice chestnut cutter I recently worked with bought a couple of bar/chain combos to save some money.

The bars where poor, the rails pitted and where brittle, didn’t wear well at all, the chains where aggressive from the box, depth gauges set very low, threw chip like a beaver or bogged the saw down and snatched, the last Rotatech chain that I saw looked like this!

Spot the difference.

Edited November 8, 2019 by The avantgardener

[Woodworks]

I have tried a few of the chains and would agree with the comments about inconsistency. One I had was very hard. First outing on the processor thought it was great but when it hit something hard it caused far more damage than I encounter with my usual Oregon chain and it was pig to sharpen. Also pretty rough when new presumably due to varied teeth hight. Got one for emergency destructive work but stick with Oregon LPX for day to day use on and off the processor. 

[Jack.P]

I wasn’t that impressed with them but they are fine for rough work 

oregon semi chisel seems like a good one and not as much as stihl

I was tempted at giving the Carlton ones a go.anyone used them?