you also can buy bulk chain and make your own. way, way cheaper if you use a lot of chain.


is Oregon still the go to for stihl bar replacements?

Knowing the pitch (3/8", for example), the number of drive links, and the gauge (.043", for example), will let you shop freely among the brands without any cross reference charts needed. I like Oregon, myself, but I am not a big cutter. I use a small Stihl MS-170, and also a Stihl HT-130 pole saw. I do know that mesquite, especially the heart wood, will dull a chain quicker than anything else out here.
 

I see one of the posts mentioned Comstock Logging. I know Dick Fogarty personally, give 'em your business, he'll stand by ANYTHING he sells, deliver within reason, price match/close to it! Stihl brand chains stay sharper longer, harder to sharpen. Oregon makes a decent chain, so does Carlton.

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmskng:
I see one of the posts mentioned Comstock Logging. I know Dick Fogarty personally, give 'em your business, he'll stand by ANYTHING he sells, deliver within reason, price match/close to it! Stihl brand chains stay sharper longer, harder to sharpen. Oregon makes a decent chain, so does Carlton.

I've found the Stihl brand chains stay sharp twice as long as Oregon and are worth the little bit of extra price.

That's not my experience, the Stihl chain wears away faster than my Oregon chains.
My Oregon chains seem to be harder steel on my sharpener.

Carlton is good stuff too. It seems to be a Pacific coast thing though.
I looked a Carlton replacement bars.