Snapping chains - how common?

[Jonesie]

where to stihl and husqvarna get their chains? Do they buy them in? or manufacture themselves. Back to thread a few have snapped usually in the wood, no harm done.

 

Stihl and Oregon manufacture themselves, Most if not all Stihl chain is made in Austria if I remember correct.

The only problems we have seen is if your making your own chains and the spinner is worn, it won't spread the rivet properly allowing the chain to much play at the link. This can cause chains to snap.

[Tree Man Tom]

In 5years only had a chain snap once No damage to me

[Chris Sheppard]

Snapped a few, generally when scrub clearing and goign for it, and mostly fairly worn chains.

 

Cracked one side tie strap once, spotted it before it snapped though.

 

Had a fairly new one spit off once and bend a few links - never done another like it or heard of one doing it

[Matthew Arnold]

I had a powersharp chain snap on me today as i was felling small willows from an attenuation pond. Worryingly it shot forward and slammed into the grass. I wasn't sure who was more scared me or my collague who was 6 feet away and dragging brash.

[Riggerbear]

Had 2 climbing saw chains snap in 18 years climbing, both were a brand called 'sabre' i think.

Heard of others snapping but it is normally where they have been pinched in a cut before and have been weakened.

[David Goss]

I have had quite a few chains snap over the years and it always seems to be while cutting small stuff or brashing etc when your going hard at it. Had 1 whip off and land on my shoulder once from a 200t that got nipped by a small branch and once had one slap me on the knee from a husky 365 but never had any damage from it happening. Mostly they just fall off the end of the bar or hang off the chain catcher.

[s o c]

once broke a 30 inch chain while cross cutting a big sycamore (hit nail). end somehow flung back around and hit knuckle of my right thumb.

[Steve Bullman]

I think the only chains ive snapped have been 020 chains. The reason for this is that im pretty strict about only using my 020 when aloft. As a result the chain lasts ages as i rarely need to sharpen it. Typically i'll be on the same chain for about 6 months and be half way down the chain before it snaps.....Im assuming this is due to the sheer amount of work the chain has done....and whilst still plenty of tooth left the chain has been weakened through prolonged(probably more than is expected) use.

[David Goss]

I think the only chains ive snapped have been 020 chains. The reason for this is that im pretty strict about only using my 020 when aloft. As a result the chain lasts ages as i rarely need to sharpen it. Typically i'll be on the same chain for about 6 months and be half way down the chain before it snaps.....Im assuming this is due to the sheer amount of work the chain has done....and whilst still plenty of tooth left the chain has been weakened through prolonged(probably more than is expected) use.

 

That sounds like a perfectly good reason for why top handle saw chains snap more, because they are always much older and used than ground saws due to less need for sharpening.

[miker]

had a 15 inch oregon snap on me,but was probably due to inexperience many years ago,only damage was brother in law wondering why i had only cut one tree to his 10!!