Full complement or skip-chain?

[agg221]

Any thoughts?

 

Most of what I mill is structural oak, up to about 3ft dia x typically 20ft long. I use a combination of the Alaskan to break down the butt into 14in cants which I can then mill with the Ripsaw. I typically split the butt in half, using the wider kerf of the Alaskan to get rid of the very centre, so I'm usually making at least one full width cut. With these cut dimensions, most of what I'm looking for out of the Alaskan is speed rather than surface finish.

 

Until now, I've mostly used the 066M with a 36in bar, which pulls a full complement 3/8chain well enough when sharp. I recently picked up a Stihl Duromatic 47in bar at a good price, which I can fit to the 076. For anyone not familiar with this saw, it's 111cc, slower revving than an MS880 but with a lot of torque. This will make the job a bit easier as I won't have to do any edging on the butts to get the mill through the bottom end.

 

I now need to buy a chain to fit and, given the above, wondered if anyone had any experience as to whether the full complement or the skip chain is going to be a better choice for the saw/bar/timber combination?

 

Thanks

 

Alec

[Rob D]

My advice is to try each.....

 

But in theory if you're not worried about the finish then the skip should be faster.... I have Oregon full skip but not really used it enough to fully comment.

 

Those older saws should work better with it and be faster.

[slack ma girdle]

Can i be enlightened as to what a skip chain is ?

[armchairarborist]

Can i be enlightened as to what a skip chain is ?

 

you never skipped down the schoolyard with a chainsaw chain? health n safety gone mad i guess.

its a skiptooth chain, got more gaps than usual between cutters:thumbup1:

[slack ma girdle]

you never skipped down the schoolyard with a chainsaw chain? health n safety gone mad i guess.

its a skiptooth chain, got more gaps than usual between cutters:thumbup1:

 

So how does it cut quicker if it has less teeth ?

Less friction ?

[armchairarborist]

So how does it cut quicker if it has less teeth ?

Less friction ?

 

yes keeps chainspeed high, less bogging down etc:001_smile:

[Big J]

Didn't get on with skip link at all (through hardwoods). Slow and a very poor quality finish.

[Rob D]

The Lucas mill has a dedicated slabber that has very few teeth and I've heard works well.

 

Lord knows I'm no techie but I think skip chain works better with the older style saws that had higher torque and less revs.

 

Perhaps the lower speed gives more time for the tooth to bite... but I'm just guessing here.

[agg221]

Thanks All for the comment.

 

I definitely notice with a 36in bar on the 076 vs. the 066M that the range between the chain running and bogging down is greater on the 076, so it may be something about depth of bite per tooth on the high torque saws.

 

I think I'll give the skip tooth a go - then if it doesn't work I can follow Rob D's advice of trying both, and follow Armchairarborist's advice and give the skip tooth to my daughter for some skipping practice

 

Rob D - does your discount apply to chains? If so, I'll drop you an email before ordering.

 

Alec

[Rob D]

Yes it does.

 

Just let me know first and I can put up a special order,

 

Regards, Rob