Need a noob guide on saw/bar/chain ccompatibility

T

treeajnin

I'm trying to learn how to match Saws up with the right bar and chain and the different types of chains etc.

I have spent some time goggling around but all I keep finding is people posting in this chainsaw lingo I haven't learned yet.

I'm very ignorant when it comes to this stuff I need a beginners guide. Anyone know a good place to start? I really dont want to pay to bring a my saw to shop just to have them find me the correct bar and chain I need. or to tell me if the chains I have work with the saw I have etc.
 
Three terms you need to know: (I am going to simplify. So all you saw geeks relax a bit!)

Gauge: This is the width of the drive link . Think of this as how wide the groove in the bar should be respectively.

Pitch: Technically this is the distance between any three rivets on the chain divided by 2. But it controls how many cutter teeth a given length of chain will have.

Drive Link Count: This is how many drive links there are to the chain. This determines how long a chain needs to be to fit a certain length bar.

There are three components to the "cutting team" Bar, Chain and drive sprocket. (The drive sprocket is at the clutch connecting the drive shaft to the chain) All of these need to be the same gauge and pitch. The drive link count needs to match the bar.

For instance my Husky 540T is 3/8"Pitch, .050 gauge, 52 drive links long to fit my 14"bar.

Got it? I am sure others can add more/better info.

Go ahead ask away!

Tony
 
P.S.

The good news is that all this info is on the bar and on the Chain if you know how to look it up, by manufacturer number!

Tony
 
thank you very much that was very helpful getting me started here. I have found the Oregon Chain selector guide that lets me match up specs of the chain based off a number on the drive link. I cannot find the stihl or husqvarna version of this and I have more chains to check.

but thank you!
 
will do,

heres a more specific question. Right now I have a 66 DL .325 Pitch .50Gauge 16 inch Bar on my husky 346XP I believe it to have some sort of low kickback chain. What type of chain would you reccomend for this saw for bucking and limbing. Also Do you think this saw could push a 20" bar ?
 
[ QUOTE ]
will do,

heres a more specific question. Right now I have a 66 DL .325 Pitch .50Gauge 16 inch Bar on my husky 346XP I believe it to have some sort of low kickback chain. What type of chain would you reccomend for this saw for bucking and limbing. Also Do you think this saw could push a 20" bar ?

[/ QUOTE ]

346 is a great saw when matched with the right bar and chain. It sounds like you have a 16" bar and that is a great match for that saw. They are sold normally with an 18" and do well with that, but I dont think I would try and make mine push a 20". I would want a little more power.

As for a recommendation on the chain, I would suggest double checking the pitch and gauge and use your oregon guild to look up a chain. It would be good practice. There are Two versions that will fit an SL and an LG. the SL is your low kick back chain and LG is the pro chain (I dont know what the letters mean)

For anyone who wants the Oregon guild here is the PDF form

www.oregonproducts.com/pro/pdf/maintenance.../ms_manual.pdf
 
If you want a little faster cutting chain, try the Oregon 95VP. It's a 'narrow kerf' chain that requires a narrow kerf bar (.325 pitch - 0.050 gauge).
I used it on my 346XP-18" and loved it. I use it on my Stihl 026-18" too.
 
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