Chainsaw Ripping Chain vs Square Ground Chain

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[@RhumRunner41]

“An important part of working in the woods is to do things without dying.” Those are words to live by.

[@williamfgreene6855]

Amen

[@Darth_Boons]

😂

[@saltrock9642]

Best quote and comment about a quote I’ve seen in a while. Wilson is awesome.

[@doriglenn1358]

Words to live by indeed!

[@3Sphere]

Really, really good point... LoLoLoL.......

[@bob_frazier]

Those are amazingly nice cuts. Anyone who's tried quartering a big log knows it's not nearly as easy as you just made it look.

[@Drewdrewdrewdr]

Amen

[@evquietcornerct3210]

Amen twice !

[@lostpony4885]

Gorgeous cuts.

[@iAM2AM]

This is literally the most boring interesting man I have ever seen in my life. I absolutely love this content.

[@nicko4071]

Have you watched Larry Haun’s videos? You’ll love them

[@Dustin_the_wind]

Boring? What do you consider not boring? I find flamboyant phoniness hyping up unrealistic, unhelpful, hyperbole of content and gross overuse copy pasta memes, boring. This guy is real. I like that. What you meant to say was, this guy is real, and you like that.

[@iAM2AM]

@Dustin_the_wind I'm trying to figure out what you stand to gain by asking me this question. Exactly what do you want? For me to explain my opinion? Why would anyone explain an opinion? It's an opinion. It's already not valid. Opinions rarely are. I typed exactly what I meant to type. Thanks for offering an alternative, but no. That's not what I meant. I meant what I typed. Thank you... I guess? 😒

[@williepelzer384]

That's VERY GOOD free hand ripping,its harder than most people think!

[@SakoRichards]

Been cutting for over 20 years now and I’d give that a 10/10, well done.

[@mykolapliashechnykov8701]

Tried to do this to a 15" apricot tree log and failed miserably. The only saving grace is that my stove doesn't really care whether I fail or succeed.

[@KarlBunker]

Interesting comparison, and some really impressive chainsawing there. Pretty good job of not dying, too.

[@clayoreilly4553]

That is one big honkin' tree! And you, sir, are a very skilled logger/woodsman. Thanks for the video.

[@saltrock9642]

Geez I love this guy. Wilson filleted that log like it was a tuna.

[@johnezell9808]

Now I want to see you load all that on your pickup! Really a good demo on chains, thanks. Cya john

[@ronshep]

I'm 75, live in a town, and have never used and will never use a chainsaw but I love your videos! I don't know why the first one popped up in my feed but I'm glad they continue to!

[@jdhtyler]

6.17 yep "not dying" is the way to go; in my case I was cutting copper and brass under 20 meter of water. The only difference was finishing the cut before the air ran out. Even if you factored in that you could hold your breath for an extra 1+ minute or there was a bit of extra air in cylinder for your "stabilizing jacket" The only dodgy time was when a 6 foot 6 inch boiler pipe fell on me due to an over excited dive buddy. That was back around 1984, how time flies. Your video narration is one of the best on YT Funny and Informative. Thanks you make my day

[@danmaciosekmaciosek6166]

I myself also enjoy going in the woods and not dying! Great videos you put out.

[@skater4life31683]

Thank you for changing your chains so many times for science! It was a lot of extra work and we all love to see the results! Lovely noodles you made there!

[@andysmith8544]

Haha, sorry Wilson, I think this one is a little out of my wheelhouse! Your cuts were beautiful, gotta respect your skills! That wood is awesome!

[@patdriver5696]

I wish that you had another person there to help you. This work can be quite dangerous. A buddy partner is what they tought us, for safety. Bless you young man, with complete safety.

[@boooshes]

My experience in ripping - I do quite a lot as a wood turner - is that the 10 degree grind ripping chain is slightly better all around, both for hand rip noodling and milling. For hand cuts, you can improve the cut quality by a few seconds with a chalk line and cutting more using the long bar at a lower angle through as much of the cut as possible (especially at the beginning)- this forces a straight cut using the bar as a guide. Nice video. Nice log. Thanks.

[@williepelzer384]

I work in a saw mill late 70 s till 93 we could cut 60" logs that were perfectly round, 66" if oblong, you know not round. Spotted owel shut us down. my house has 4" by 12" floor joists 24' long free of Hart centers,no knot's., straight grain.still getting pitch bubbles 40 years later.😊

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Pnw?

[@Notforyou201]

A lot of work but worth it when its for dear old dad. My kind of man right there. He said his dad wanted this tree and here he is making it happen. My heart goes out to your back. I know it was dead after all that chainsaw milling 😂

[@rickytickbuku]

Just a thought, your side cover could be holding you back with chip flow when noodling. I noodle a lot for loading big rounds of firewood that don't want to split, and the 462 I have is a conglomeration of parts from saws that I have repaired. The current iteration has an aftermarket cover that flows really well, and Stihl has another factory option from what you have that usually comes on the R model. There's a noticeable difference on how the saw doesn't bog down with a wad of noodles packed into the side cover. Food for thought.

[@kinbake]

I use those long "shreds" (when cutting parallel to the grain) as fire-starters for the stove, almost more flammable than gasoline.

[@pauladams3789]

My wife said you remind her of Buster Scruggs. 😂

[@markdudley3831]

We all know how Buster ended up , don't we !

[@BustedKnuclesGarage]

dang now i see it 😂😂😂

[@pauladams3789]

I think it’s maybe how they word things. Both make me laugh for sure.

[@jacobfurnish7450]

SAME! He looks and sounds just like him!

[@kenbrown2808]

I had the good fortune when I was ripping Cedar logs for a terraces, I could lift them on blocks, but yeah, those noodles can clog things up double quick. I forget how many wheelbarrows of noodles I made.

[@FamilyMods]

WFL - The Chuck Norris of the woods.

[@isaacwarne7758]

So, I cut wood for 10 years professionally here on the east coast in Canada and everyone here uses the round tooth for everyday cutting and everyone considers the square cut chain as the ripping chain. You have to special order the square, where the round is available everywhere. Its interesting to see differences between geological areas. I enjoyed your presentation. Thanks for sharing that.

[@w8stral]

How on earth do you guys get your undercut in with round chain? It is near impossible with round. someone gave me some telling me it was "easier to sharpen"... Threw all my round chain out. Can't cut sideways with it-=> junk.

[@keithklassen5320]

I worked a few years as a Canadian arborist; I never even heard of square ground chain in that time. Round worked great. I wonder if it's something to do with the prevalence of softwood here vs perhaps a larger amount of harder woods in the US.

[@w8stral]

@@keithklassen5320 I think you have never held a chainsaw. There is not a single logger of softwoods who uses round chain in the west. Undercuts are MUCH harder to make with round chain. Accidentally got round chain by mistake---> Its garbage. No one should ever use it unless Joe homeowner who is ditchwitching with his chainsaw.

[@amosbackstrom5366]

​@w8stral Hardwood vs. soft makes a big difference

[@w8stral]

@@amosbackstrom5366 Has NOTHING to do with hardness of the wood, its called KLUTZ ditchwitchers shoving their bars into the ground cleaning up downed trees who enjoy rounded chain verses chisel verses those who do nothing but cut notches all day or who have to delimb hundreds/thousands of branches all day who REALLY enjoy ability to cut on the side of a cut due to being tired and yet still having to cut another hundred pinching branches. Chisel cuts slightly faster, but rounded cuts better in dirt.

[@finniganshomestead2956]

That puts a whole new meaning to quarter sawing

[@doriglenn1358]

I would most definitely like to see a comparison cut of square, round, and rip chain cuts 👍

[@joewoodchuck3824]

I had no idea there were ripping chains. He certainly is skilled. I wouldn't come near to making square cuts and straight cuts like that.

[@stevejanek8072]

Your content is second to none! Please, more on ripping & ripping chains. Thanku for what you do 🤣

[@Woodneye-mc5jt]

In my youth, I bought a Sperber portable chainsaw mill. It came with ripping chains. They were round tooth and if I remember correctly, the grinding angle was only 10 degrees. I was cutting African hardwoods though. Those chains produced an incredibly smooth cut, though the cut was assisted by the machine not being hand held. I'm in awe of your hand held ripping skills.

[@davidedwards3734]

Really liked the comparison of the chains!! Would like to see more. Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@philosborn1840]

You can also tell a good lumberjack, when they get away from the tree when it starts to fall 👍🏻

[@pauladams3789]

A true woodsman. Good stuff !

[@paulamoore1221]

I have operated a chainsaw for decades but have no idea how you are able to quarter that huge log so beautifully.

[@nareth24]

I discovered your channel just last week and have already viewed 12-15 of your video. I live in suburbia but just love learning about how you are living among the land and taking care of the forest. Your video about wild fire and need to have wild fire to happen naturally to renew and refresh the land and forest was eye opening. Looking forward to seeing more videos. Will you do one on creating a permanent pound or similar bodies of water on your land?

[@PurpleNovember]

Nice comparison! We’ve been experimenting with setting up a chain that is efficient at crosscutting and ripping/milling. It’s actually working as long as we keep some angle when milling so the chips come out as short noodles. When everything is right the saws pulls itself along and the engine settles into the top of the power band holding steady rpm’s.

[@BoonesMountain]

Agreed, the most important thought when doing anything - Don’t die.

[@finniganshomestead2956]

You better quit jumbling up yer words like that or before you know it, you'll be president

[@bgarr99]

I'm a recent first-time ripper on a large oak tree for my mill so this video was very helpful.

[@allenhuling598]

Fun comparison, thanks! Yep, the older I get the more firewood rounds get the 'noodling' treatment....one of those laws of nature I guess!! For what it's worth, I'm running 3/8 round, chisel chain....full comp.

[@davidmallette2009]

Back in the 70's and 80's I fell for several LP logging shows in Northern California. Also made a lot of redwood slabs. Oregon made a specific chain for ripping. It has been awhile, but I remember it being a regular round ground filed nearly at 90 degrees and then the next tooth was like half the width. Almost like a giant raker. Worked well. Keep up the good work. Enjoy your videos...

[@m8s4lif]

Hey, don't worry about having a tough time speaking there at last. I know of a very famous person who can't speak nearly that good. By the way, for quarter sawing, you did a mighty good job. Also, that tree fell down and went boom really good. 👍

[@johncollado1151]

My Dad and I used ripping chains on our Alaskan saw mill when we started our log home. We thought it was better too.

[@lestersegelhorst2776]

I can tell you are a skilled woodsman, you fell that fir right into the pocket.

[@ericconner9971]

New to the channel. I really appreciate the info. Timely and no superfluous bs. And I appreciate the humor

[@pettere8429]

I have some vauge memory of my dad getting a special ripping bar for his portable chainsaw mill.

[@dgoodman1484]

You likely already know this but for those that may not, a highlift jack, works pretty well for rolling big logs. Also, if you have a big high value tree and plenty of free time, working the outside of the log down to size (cutting off the sapwood) will likely give better results for us mortals than trying to freehand through the center. Course that’s going to depend somewhat on how much larger the log is in relationship to your mill. 👍🏼

[@robertpowell2735]

I’m glad you did a video on ripping with a chainsaw. The ripping chain sounds like it would be best on an Alaska chainsaw mill. You are really good with that chainsaw. Great job great video. 👍👍

[@benbiagioni9906]

Smartass. This is by far the best channel for this content IN THE WORLD! Thanks dude.

[@timmyfields6159]

I think you just showed me a good way to save money on animal bedding and nesting box filler.

[@neilyoung2833]

Big tree mate, nice shot, good job. Like watching you work, and expl....explai.....explaining your approach 😂, love the humour

[@als1023]

Great video I love the comparison. Here on the west coast in Canada, we often file a rip chain, when a normal skip tooth is halfway worn. I have never used a store bought rip chain.Interested to try one now. You may find, working in the butt wood, you get a lot stickier saw chips, that tend to clog in the sprocket more. This is a result of more pitch, and the fibers in the butt are a lot tougher, and less straight, because they hold the tree, twisting in the wind.

[@AWoodworkersLife]

So, I used to have a 4 post-carriage chainsaw mill. Don’t think I’m saying it well, but I have a short video of it on my channel. Anyways, I have run full-chisel, semi-chisel, and professional ripping chain (Oregon). Maybe an important point is that I was however always cutting 90 degrees to the grain, so no noodling. The carriage held the saw and took operator error out of the equation. I found that all three were about the same speed, but that the full chisel made the roughest cut and the ripping chain made the smoothest. The ripping chain was less ‘grabby’ and consistently a little easier on the saw head. I was running a 395XP so this made no difference until the logs got over 24” in diameter. On the largest of wood the ripping chain seemed to cut a little faster. I think this was because it wasn’t trying to take as aggressive of a bite as the chisel, and as a result had the advantage of being able to keep the chain speed up. So the bites of each tooth might have been a little less, but there were more teeth engaged over the course of say a minute than there was with the chisel chain. If this doesn’t make sense, it’s not you, it’s me :) I probably went through a hundred foot spool of ripping chain over the course of a year before deciding that the “best type of chain for the job” was a 1-1/4” bandmill.

[@doonthepan1290]

enjoyed very much , thank you. your humour is a blessing. - from Scottish borderland.

[@billsmith7255]

Your work is truly fascinating. Thank you.

[@glennphillips8537]

I would enjoy seeing more videos about chainsaw milling.

[@daveturnbull7221]

Never knew there were different types of chain for different types of cut but when you think about the different types of hand saw blades it makes sense.

[@PurpleNovember]

It’s mostly how the chain is sharpened, adjusting top plate angle and raker height for milling or crosscutting. There are chains specifically for milling or slabbing though, like Oregon’s hyper-skip that has 10 links between a set of left and right cutters. Another chain made specifically for milling is Granberg milling chain that has special alternating cutters to improve efficiency and chip clearing.

[@bobbypatton4903]

Nice shot on the fir, looks like it's neighbors are still very healthy!

[@Wheelloader__]

Cool video Wilson. I’ve split logs with a chainsaw before. Then I found a better way. Put one end of the log against a log pile. Then find a crack on the other end. with a wheel loader put a fork in that crack and push. Usually not as pretty as what you just did. But much easier.

[@flamingmoe1805]

We used to rip west coast cedar on Vancouver Island that were 12 to 15 feet by 20 feet long. Cedar splits so nicely that once you made the top cut with a 5 foot bar we could split the log with oversize wedges made from foot wide hemlock

[@3Sphere]

That's a really great way to divide up a large log for quarter sawing but if you want more plain sawn lumber, you should know (probably already do! :) that there is a way to saw really big logs intact on the Wood-Mizer. You peel 'em like an orange! You simply shave as much as the blade will take without getting stuck, then turn a little and shave, turn and shave. (Hydraulic log turning helps a lot...) Once around gets little more than the bark and a little sap wood. Then you keep shaving around until you get some big, nice flat sides. Usually there's a lot of sapwood and it then becomes firewood. I didn't see much sapwood on your log... You may have to do a little chainsaw work if there are knobs sticking out or if there's a lot of taper. (Don't cut the mill!!!) But eventually you get down to some nice flat sides and a great big cant of heartwood and then you just go and you can cut it any ol' which way you like! (or how the log tells you to cut itself!) Also, as you're getting down to that manageable cant, you cut off some pretty big but odd shaped chunks that you can mill separately later or burn as the spirit moves ya. Cheers!

[@calebdoner]

All your videos are incredibly helpful and informative.

[@stihlnz]

That's a beautiful stand of trees you have there. Great you like square ground ..it cuts well for me.

[@Phil.C1]

Didn't you mention that your square tooth chain was a skip tooth, while the ripping chain was a full comp. This would account for the length of noodles and the rougher cut. I've seen this when ripping board on my chainsaw mill.

[@CaveFreediving]

I'm looking forward to see those logs milled. I wanna see some really wide boards!

[@Zebracat5]

I agree the Ripping Chain is much smoother. Exellent job,and with a 462 just like mine. Enjoyed watching the Wedgemanship as well. Exellent Philosophy to live by. Try not to die while Working in the Woods.

[@realityawayfromreality3494]

Great job with the freehand ripping. You made it look a lot easier than it can be. I can tell that you have run a chainsaw a time or two.

[@hanktjemsland9238]

We just acquired a couple of 34 and 30 inch Doug Fir saw logs and was thinks of cutting some cants to get them on a mill. Thanks

[@SirensC3]

Hey that was pretty good. I always use a chalk line cause otherwise it looks like a drunk sailor tried to cut it. 🥴

[@randiegadberry5448]

I’m in the process of ripping some 44” diameter red fir and spruce. I completed one tree and on the second tree, it split completely through and knocked me to the ground and pinned my leg under it. Luckily I was able to call my neighbor and he came over and got the log off of me. Two small fractures on the top of my fibula and that was in June. I only have fifteen large logs left.

[@juliomcdermott4696]

100% right up my alley. Intrested in sharpening ripping chain top plate.

[@cmw184]

Back before they had these chainsaws, they used wedges to split the logs in half, and before that they used black powder. Especially in the east where they had massive oak trees theyd use for ship building.

[@JS-oy6nn]

Full complement chain makes smaller chips than full skip. The 462 also has a very tight clutch cover even in the “R” model, unlike the 1122 and 1128 R models. He’s purty dam good with a saw that’s for sure.

[@mustang2433]

You might want to look at West Coast saws clutch cover. They are bigger so that way they can get rid of the noodles easier.

[@jaredf5828]

I would like to see more testing of the ripping chains. I would also like to see the quarter sawing of that log. Thanks!

[@Cirathos]

Wish I had trees like that where I live!

[@KSMike1]

That’s going to be some gorgeous lumber.

[@southernadirondackoutdoors]

Interesting, more! If you are going to quarter the rest of that tree a 661 or 881 might be in order 😁

[@TheRussellStover]

Awesome log and awesome advice.

[@thekiltedsawyer]

Way awesome video Mike Love ALL your angles & mostly your equipment!! Cool old mill Love my Woodmizer great ripping job! You know Rick and Tim are stihl watching that tree go down, Eric may have learned something too, I know I did❤

[@LionEagleOx]

The difference is a bit bigger with hardwood. Doing the same thing as you on a red oak about that size. The square wants to grab sometimes from being more aggressive. Rip is smoother, but there is also a little more forgiveness with kickback, when your bar cannot go all the way through.

[@Lad-zn6fn]

Man thats a lot of work. I have been messing around with an alaskan saw mill on redwood logs about 36" diameter im glad I dont have to quarter them like you did on that log. Id like to see how the lumber turns out. I like to use round chain because its easier to touch up with a hand file, but square grind cuts the best, I use granberg ripping chain while milling.

[@PaulGriffin-ox1gp]

I've found to pull back away from the block with the power head because of the noodles/strands. I pull back about 5-7 inches. Give it a try.

[@arnoldwinkelman1027]

Much like a drunk at a strip bar, I want to see more!

[@Thuy_Dailylife]

Small man compared to the block of wood, you do a great job

[@renanjacob6791]

Here in brazil we do a lot of rough wood with chainsaw, the trick is sharp the teeth at 0 degree, than cut with the tip of the saber, always up to down and foward. And slow the trotle for lubrication of the chain. We use in ours hardwood, soft wood don't grow to that size here

[@p-m2127]

Looks like that other tree was coming back at you for revenge! Definitely have to keep your wits about you in the forest!

[@metallicalloy]

Very nice comparison

[@BillHale-bh7fh]

Falled down goes boom Good 😂😂😂😂😂

[@woodworker3122]

What will you do with the rest of the log?

[@Dustin_the_wind]

I appreciate ya mister. Thanks for being real.

[@wootenbasset8631]

Agreed: “That never gets old”

[@mrMacGoover]

Thats the biggest white pine that I ever did see!

[@Ramdodge582]

my wife loves the long cedar noodles for a fire starter. she fills garbage cans full of it when i noodle fat logs down.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Ripping chains make a smoother cut when using a CSM but I went back to a skipped tooth 25° chain for speed

[@andrewupson2987]

I do some chainsaw milling. Not professionally, just with some nice trees on my own place. Ripping chains mostly give a better surface finish vs regular ground chains. They should cut about as fast. Any difference in cutting speed is probably less than the difference between factory sharp and "you" sharp.

[@ejsocci2630]

Another great video,thanks for sharing.

[@bobsethbroc]

Great video. Glad you are posting more often to. I was hoping that you got that hammer on video. That would be great if you compared those chains again and a close up the chains so us viewers could see the difference in tooth and angles. Thanks

[@navaho5430]

So much power in that tree, there's more than bears and cougars that can kill you cheers.

[@samuelluria4744]

Excellent job!!!🫡

[@digger0429]

Good video ripping chain works well

[@scottmckenna9164]

Ha!, Ha! Great math lesson! Measure twice, cut once.

[@skitidet4302]

When you are noodling like this, I would advise to clear out the plugged up chip evacuation on the saw, because if you just keep going, it sends the noodles in to the kerf again and causing the chain to drag since you are effectively just stirring around the noodles in a thick pocket of noodles at that point. I don't think the wood is very unique in doing this btw. I have noticed that my ms661 gets plugged up all the time when noodling, the best way to avoid it is just to go a bit slower or angle the cuts to make the noodles shorter. Why do I know so much about noodling? I have stopped paying for the morning paper and noodles are a good substitute for lighting the stove. Filling a box with noodles takes just a few seconds if you have big log laying around, just let it dry for a weak or two and you can easily get a fire going with it, though it does make a mess on the floor in front of the stove.