Carbide chainsaw chains

[Doofy]

Does anyone have experience using carbide chainsaw chains? I am looking to cut willows to ground level and standard chains dull to quickly. I will keep any new shoots pruned off for a couple of years until the trees die and then I will remove the stumps after they begin rotting and at my leisure.

Thanks for any input.

 

[atsah]

I have a Stihl chain. Works good but sharpening requires to be sharpened with a diamond wheel. They don't cut as quickly but don't need sharpening as often..

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/specialty-saw-chains/pd3/

 

[oosik]

Good Morning Doofy . I might be wrong here but the only use I've seen the carbide chains advertised for is fire departments. Where they most likely will run into something metal. Nails, conduit, roofing etc. It would be great if somebody could tell us that under "normal" use - they will stay sharp X times longer. I'm right at the point where I need a new chain for my small Stihl. I'd buy one if I knew the "sharp" would last longer.

I just finished cutting all the small pines on both sides of my driveway. I have a mile long driveway - completely covered in pine chips now.

They get about 15 feet tall and the winter snows cause them to bend inward on both sides.

I was pretty fortunate. Three days of cutting and I only "rocked out" once.

It's a genuine Pain - you spend 30 to 45 minuets sharpening and one rock undoes it all in a second.

Hope you are having a nice spring up there.

 

[oosik]

OK, ATSHA I checked on the link. What is involved with the diamond wheel. I sharpen my chains by hand. Does this mean you have some kind of Dremel like tool with a wheel, of some kind, on it?

Most importantly - do you think the extra cost and labor is worth it?

 

[atsah]

I think it's worth the money, I have cut many dirt filled roots without it dulling it. A lot of the tree length firewood I buy is full of dirt from being dragged. I bought the four inch wheel for my grinder.

 

[atsah]

This chain must be re-sharpened with a formed diamond grinding wheel.

The least expensive way to sharpen them is with a handheld grinder, and a diamond stone.

 

[Doofy]

Hello, oosik
Spring Break-up came early, started in mid March. Snow is almost gone and the lakes are just beginning to thaw here. 50 degree days and 20 degree nights means no mud.

Hope you are doing well.

 

[Doofy]

I think it's worth the money, I have cut many dirt filled roots without it dulling it. A lot of the tree length firewood I buy is full of dirt from being dragged. I bought the four inch wheel for my grinder.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a carbide chain will suit my needs just fine. They appear to cost 2-3 times more but stay sharp at least 10 times longer. Worth it to me.

 

[Doofy]

Good Morning Doofy . I might be wrong here but the only use I've seen the carbide chains advertised for is fire departments. Where they most likely will run into something metal. Nails, conduit, roofing etc. It would be great if somebody could tell us that under "normal" use - they will stay sharp X times longer. I'm right at the point where I need a new chain for my small Stihl. I'd buy one if I knew the "sharp" would last longer.

I just finished cutting all the small pines on both sides of my driveway. I have a mile long driveway - completely covered in pine chips now.

They get about 15 feet tall and the winter snows cause them to bend inward on both sides.

I was pretty fortunate. Three days of cutting and I only "rocked out" once.

It's a genuine Pain - you spend 30 to 45 minuets sharpening and one rock undoes it all in a second.

Hope you are having a nice spring up there.

Site List - FAA Aviation Weather Cameras
oosik,
I just stumbled on this FAA webcam site and thought you may see some of your old haunts. Scroll down to "Tazlina-Tolsona" and you can see what I see, even time-lapse. We live at the bottom of Tolsona Ridge.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a carbide chain will suit my needs just fine. They appear to cost 2-3 times more but stay sharp at least 10 times longer. Worth it to me.

The link to the Stihl literature says up to 4 times longer, not 10.