Chain Type Stihl MS880

[MikeTM150]

Hi

 

Right i have a stihl MS880 with a 48" bar on it, i usually use it for getting big tree's down for firewood. But now due to me doing a restoration house project i want to cut some beams out for myself, i wondered if there was a better type chain (i'm running the same type of chain it came with not sure what type u call it!) more suited to ripping across grains or am i better to go down the bandsaw route? Bearing in mind cost is a big issue and once i've got these beams done i probably won't use it again to do this kinda job again.

 

Also can anyone recommend a good chainsaw mill system that doesn't cost the earth?

 

Many Thanks

 

Mike

[josharb87]

search member Rob D, he deals in alaskan chainsaw mills, reall easy and simple to use, he also sells ripping chains, specifically designed for cutting across the grain

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/alaskan-mill/

 

and

 

http://www.alaskanmill.co.uk

[tommer9]

There are dedicated ripping chains out there, such as the stihl RThey are better suited to this sort of work. Oregon do one too. Bandsaws are the ultimate TBH, but for a self build get in touch with Rob D on the alaskan mill forum, he can sort you out.

[John Barleycorn]

search member Rob D, he deals in alaskan chainsaw mills, reall easy and simple to use, he also sells ripping chains, specifically designed for cutting across the grain

 

Alaskan Mill - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

 

and

 

alaskan mill I home of the portable chainsaw mill

 

I thought ripping chains cut with the grain, not across it

[john dawson]

its a o.404" pitch.

 

stihl have a rapid super as standard. the advanced one used as a ripper chain is the rcx,

 

im just working out a part code, might take a while

[john dawson]

3958 000 0138

or

3958 003 0138

 

you might have to check thats correct with a dealer

 

i believe the oregon eq is the 27R

[openboater]

My ( second hand ) mill has Oregon 27 RA chain, which works ok .I've not used any thing different yet to compare it with though.

Mine is a skip chain, 27 R is the standard version. I guess skip chain will clog less in some woods. Shouldn't skip chain be cheaper ? not so many cutters:001_tongue:

[MikeTM150]

wow i'm impressed with the speed of all the replys, there a great help! I will look into this new chain, having looked at the alaskan mill i reckon i might be able to knock one up myself.

 

Many Thanks for all your help!

 

Mike

[john dawson]

the windsor is the 63br,

 

though just for a couple of slabs you could easily get away with a reguler chain and no mill?

[rxe]

How big are the beams you're going to cut? You probably won't need/want a 48" bar for milling and ripping chain is spendy. I'd get a 3/8 bar for the 880 (Cannon do them) in a suitable length (29" does pretty much everything I need). 3/8 is quicker - smaller kerf. Granberg ripping chain is extortionate, "woodland pro" as sold in the US works well and is a lot cheaper.

 

Remember you need to touch up the chain every 2 or 3 runs depending on the wood. You really don't want a massively oversized bar when milling.