Hexa chain

[Jack45]

Hi I’m new to arbtalk and I’m after some advice.

 

I’m interested in the Stihl Hexa chain on my 661 has anyone used them and what’s your opinion ?

 

Thanks Jack.

[Dan Maynard]

Been a couple of threads on it but not much feedback, seems like it cuts faster but maybe the files are just too expensive for widespread take-up.

https://arbtalk.co.uk/forums/topic/132138-stihl-hexa-chain-whos-used-it-feedback/#comment-1996504

Edited July 31, 2023 by Dan Maynard

[gand]

Great chain. Well worth it IMHO. Yes the files cost more, but you can get more than one chain out of a file maybe even two if your not heavy handed. They had a dodgy batch with the first set of files as they hadn't been hardened properly. They seem better now. As for sharpening they say do it 90 degrees to the bar I find angle of 10 degrees makes it cut better, but that might just be me

[Rich Rule]

Do they make the hex chain for such a large machine and bar?

 

I have only seen them for 18 or 20” bars and on 362/400i sizes power heads.

[5thelement]

3 hours ago, Rich Rule said:

Do they make the hex chain for such a large machine and bar?

 

I have only seen them for 18 or 20” bars and on 362/400i sizes power heads.

The 661 carries the same chain (pitch/gauge) as those other machines. You can order the chain per drive link from Rob D at Chainsawbars, so you can have it made up in any length you want.

[Ben_Mason_Arb]

Running Hexa chain on 3 saws at the moment, 46, 500 and 66. I like the way it cuts smoothly and sharpens easily. Only downside is the files I had a dodgy batch and snapped 2 in half out the package, made me cry at £10 each! Think I’ll go back to full chisel when these chains are done though purely because of the price of the files. 

[Dan Maynard]

13 hours ago, Ben_Mason_Arb said:

Running Hexa chain on 3 saws at the moment, 46, 500 and 66. I like the way it cuts smoothly and sharpens easily. Only downside is the files I had a dodgy batch and snapped 2 in half out the package, made me cry at £10 each! Think I’ll go back to full chisel when these chains are done though purely because of the price of the files. 

How is it when you hit a nail?

 

I'm running Stihl full chisel on my 400, hit two nails recently and each time swear to change over to semi chisel but don't want to slow cutting down. General garden trees always run semi on my 261 as so much crap to hit.

[Ben_Mason_Arb]

On 02/08/2023 at 10:55, Dan Maynard said:

How is it when you hit a nail?

 

I'm running Stihl full chisel on my 400, hit two nails recently and each time swear to change over to semi chisel but don't want to slow cutting down. General garden trees always run semi on my 261 as so much crap to hit.

Files out like any other chain, although doesn’t have as much leeway when it starts to dull best kept sharp. If only the files were cheaper I would buy a roll of it. Has anyone tried other types of files that work with hexa chain??  

[Stubby]

7 hours ago, Ben_Mason_Arb said:

Files out like any other chain, although doesn’t have as much leeway when it starts to dull best kept sharp. If only the files were cheaper I would buy a roll of it. Has anyone tried other types of files that work with hexa chain??  

Could try the proper " square ground " files then you could still use a normal flat file for the rakers .

[Ledburyjosh]

On 04/08/2023 at 18:21, Stubby said:

Could try the proper " square ground " files then you could still use a normal flat file for the rakers .

Do they not get taken down in the normal way on hexa chains?