Biff Chain-type Question

[Mikey P]

Sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum.

 

OK, I've done a quick search but can't seem to find a good explanation on this. When I did my training, not long ago, we briefly discussed chain types, ie, chipper, semi-chipper and...er...the other one wot I can't remember.

 

I never really understood what the difference was between them - I know that there is a different shape to the tooth but, apart from that, what different jobs are they designed to do and what are the pros and cons of these chain types?

[johnty]

Mate you have just opened a mine field. Some chains work better on certain types of wood i.e. hard wood, also if your working in cold tempratures. Some reduce kick back, their is so much to know and i'm no orical.

I find it a mind boggling subject also, however i'm quite lucky my local dealer seems to be a legend on the subject.

[Mesterh]

As a very brief quick reply

 

Full chisel cuts best blunts quicker

Chipper cuts the worst stays sharper longer.

 

Semi inbetween the 2 above

 

Some peeps find it harder to file a good edge on a full chisel than a chipper.

 

We allways use full chisel just cuts so much better and will soon make you take care on where the tip of the bar goes

 

Theres a lot more to it than my explanation.

[tree_beard]

in the u.k there is basically two chain (cutter) types;

 

chisel - the top and side plates meet at a point and the working corner is more agressive, faster cutting, but wont hold an edge well cutting in abrasive conditions (dirty wood)

 

semi-chisel - the top and side plates meet on a slight curve, giving a more rounded working corner, slower in the cut than full chisel, but will hold an edge much longer in abrasive conditions.

 

there is also...

 

chipper chain - you will hardly ever see, very rounded working corner, slow to cut but holds an edge well cutting filthy wood. not widely available

 

square ground chain - fastest cutting chain available (stock) the working corner is angular and is filed with a bevelled flat file, specialist grinder etc... not a round file. not available within the u.k. (or possibly the whole of europe)

[tree_beard]

thats just cutters types...

 

then you get into chain types....

 

low kickback chain - has odd looking humps/ramps in front of the rakers. this makes for a less agressive, slower cutting chain, but if kickback occurs the saw should not spin so far on the axis of the front handle, the momentum should be lessened before the saw makes it back to your face...

 

 

skip chain - chain with a third less cutters than the standard one cutter per drivelink. creates less drag than full complement chain, so longer bars can be run on lesser saws. but really designed for cutting big softwood 30"+ will generally cut faster than full comp chain as the bigger gap between cutters allows better chip clearance (which is half the struggle on big cuts). not available in the u.k.

 

semi-skip - same as above but with a quarter less cutters than full complement rather than a third.

 

ripping chain - for milling timber (cutting into endgrain) usually semi-chisel chain but with the top plate angle at 0-10degrees, and possibly with some modified cutters with no top plate for scoring the wood. leaves a smoother surface to ripped wood than regular chain. only suitable for milling, not normal cutting.

 

 

 

um.. reckon thats about it for currently available chain types, clear as mud?

[Mikey P]

Thanks everyone - much clearer.....