14" chain

[spandit]

I know most of you probably don't agree with muggles having chainsaws but I've still got most of my limbs and flip-flops are really practical for cutting in hot weather, although with missing toes it's sometimes difficult to keep them on...

 

Anyway, I've got a Stihl MS-181 (better than Husqvarna? Discuss... ) and have been using their Rollomatic anti kickback chains until now but wondered whether there are options out there that would cut more efficiently? I'm mainly cross cutting firewood but potentially some light felling in the future.

[Climbingmagnus]

I think they do a full chisel chain for it now which would cut better or apparently you can replace the standard 1.3mm gauge bar with a 1.1mm from an MS171 which cuts a narrower kerf so cuts faster.

 

I haven't tried either of these in practice with my MS181 though, only seen them suggested here.

[agg221]

A lot depends on what you want to cut.

 

A full chisel chain such as Stihl lo pro full chisel will cut faster in clean timber but if you have dropped it on the ground and it has got at all dusty/gritty then it will dull quickly.

 

A semi chisel chain such as Oregon lo pro rapid would be a reasonable compromise - not so fast but will hold its edge better.

 

Oregon multicut will hold up better if your wood is really dirty but won't cut as fast to start with.

 

You can find various options on Chains - just enter your saw/bar combination

 

Alec

[spandit]

Very helpful, thanks - that's a good site

[NFG]

I'd keep the chain sharp & clean out the air filter, If I clean mine it makes quite a difference on my MS250.

 

Failing that consider a 12" bar, a friend has two 181s on 12" & they cut really well.

 

N

[spandit]

I do keep it sharp, don't worry, just wondered what limitations my current chain had - will try a different type and see

[Brownlie1985]

i have been using the Holtham chains that are cheap as chips on my MS181 and sharpen twice and throw away.

 

4 x (Four) HOLTHAM Chainsaw Saw Chain 3/8 LP .050 50 DL | eBay

 

I did think about better chains or different chisel type but the saw is not powerful enough in my opinion.

 

cheers

 

Mike

[TGB]

Let me get this straight. You've been paying 2p shy of £17 for 4x chains and throwing them away, after only sharpening each only twice! If you want a cheaper price, get a £9 Oregon chain from Rob D at 'Chainsaw Bars UK'. You could sharpen one of these chains much more than eight times. Heck, CS Bars will do you a genuine Stihl offing for £16.81.

 

Edited February 20, 2014 by TGB

[peatff]

Sharpen them till there's hardly any tooth left and don't forget to lower the rakers as well, even cheap chains have more than two goes in them. My friend bought a used saw and the chain teeth looked like bird claws they were so well used.