When is a Chain at End of Life

[RayIN]

I run them til they start breaking off.

I did that_once. A tooth broke off in an oak tree I was cutting; it grabbed and suddenly stopped the Stihl motor, shearing the flywheel key. The repair shop said I was lucky the crankshaft didn't break. For the price of having the motor repaired, I could've bought several chains.

 

[Gregster613]

Lot of chains have those witness line and reason for them.

3 stihl and 1 husky chain in pics.

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Learn something new daily it seems! I just went and looked at my chains in the garage 12/16/&18" length, Oregon chains and no markings on them. I will be sure to look at any future chains I might buy - but Oregon chain seems common and has served me well for many years. Although it kind of looks as if I might have sharpened up to - or past - the designated stop point! Guess I might have gotten the life that the chain offered!

 

[airbiscuit]

About here

 

[Gregster613]

About here

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Yeah airbiscuit, that's about as long as I let them go - no further though, and maybe a touch sooner. Nevertheless, that's getting every last bit of life from a chain!

 

[airbiscuit]

My dealer blanched when I (kiddingly) brought it in for sharpening

 

[Chanceywd]

I was never good at doing both sides the same with a hand file. Saws always cut crooked as a result. I used to take several at a time to get sharpened after a few of my filings.
Many years ago I would guess 20, I bought a Harbor Freight sharpener for about $25 on sale and it has worked well for me. I cut about 4-5 cord a year for my own heat. Sharpen chains as a bunch about once a year.
I'm a youngster at 72 but love to cut my firewood and feed my Lopi Liberty!
I have an old Stihl 034 super with 16 & 20 bars. That I have had about 30 years. I think my smaller one, the model is a Stihl MS170 and a MS180 that was given to me. Last year I bought a Battery Stihl I really like that.
With 4 batteries I can use a break by the time I am out of batteries cutting the limbs and smaller stuff.

Bill