3/8 or .325 chainsaw chain?

[EddieWalker]

My third Stihl 291 chainsaw has just died on me and I'm not gonna buy another. My brother has a Husqvarna 460 with a 24 inch bar that fires up quickly and it has a ton of power. The bar is longer then I like, so I'm looking at 20 inch bars for it.

On Amazon, there are two 20 inch Oregon bar and chain combo's that have come up.

One is called an AdvanceCut has a 3/8 pitch and .050" gauge with 72 links for $40 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XNS4DZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

The other is called a VersaCut, and it has a .325 pitch and 0.58" cut with 78 links for $64 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DQ49Q9N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AM0TJKCE8MD21&psc=1

I'm tempted to buy the more expensive one because it has a wider cut and more links. I'm assuming that more links means more cutting teeth? and a wider cut will cut faster?

and then there is the Husqvarna bar and chain combo for $98 that has the 3/8 pitch and .050 gauge with 72 links. This seems like the same thing that Oregon is selling for less then half that. Is there any reason to stick with Husqvarna parts over Oregon? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DQ49Q9N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AM0TJKCE8MD21&psc=1

I'm using the saw to cut rounds for firewood, but also taking off branches and the stump so I can get the tree to the burn pile, or firewood pile. Faster cutting is my main goal.

Thank you

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Personally, I hate 325 chain, but you have to have the sprocket on the saw for one size or the other, what does the saw have? You can buy the sprockets in either size and change them, if you want.

I bought a 3/8 sprocket for my small saw and gave away all of my 325 chain!

Did I mention that I hate 325 chain??

SR

 

[Rustyiron]

3/8 pitch is .375 Eddie

 

[ericm979]

.325 has more teeth per inch and is slightly narrower. It's normally used on 45-55cc saws. 60cc saws usually use 3/8.

If you switch from 3/8 to .325 you'll need a new sprocket in addition to a new chain and bar. They all have to match.

Many Huskies come with .58 wide drivers on the chain. The chain and bar have to match here but the sprocket will work for .50, .58 and .63. I prefer .50 as it's the most common and easiest to get chains for in my area.

The bar has to fit on the saw, and the chain length has to match the bar length. Bars have the chain length and other info stamped on them.

 

[RandyT]

More teeth doesn't mean it will cut faster, and in some cases more teeth can actually cause it to cut slower. More teeth can result in more drag which slows the entire process done plus more teeth can result in less chip carrying capacity which causes the chain to spend more time cleaning out the chips than it does cutting wood. That is part of the reason why skip link chain is recommended for longer bars.

And a 60cc saw running the k095 mount. They have to be kidding. That size saw should have the D009 bar mount. I guess that is how Husky limits bar length to 24 inches and those bars are not really common.

 

[Carl_NH]

Most if not all the husky 460's come with 3/8 pitch chain, and definitely get 3/8 and 20" bar. I have the Husky 455 20" bar with 3/8" chain.

I also dislike .325 chain.

 

[5030]

404 for me but it takes a substantial amount of powerhead power to pull t.

 

[xyz123]

455 460 here all come with 3/8. So unless your wanting to change the rim sprocket or the spur drum. Just stick with 3/8 on that saw.

 

[murphy1244]

Get a echo 45 to 50 cc head with a 20" bar. I think mine was called Timber wolf.

 

[repete]

Chains and bars...

Guide Bar & Saw Chain Menu

A menu of topics on guide bars and saw chain for pro saw users.

www.madsens1.com

 

[EddieWalker]

Get a echo 45 to 50 cc head with a 20" bar. I think mine was called Timber wolf.

If I was going out to buy a chainsaw, it would be the Echo. But I have the Husqvarna, which has impressed me. It starts a lot easier then the Stihl, and it's a lot more powerful then the Stihl. I just need it to be a little more manageable. That 24 inch bar is a pain.

Thank you to everyone for the comments. I'm going to get the 20 inch bar with the 3/8's chain.

 

[EddieWalker]

New bar and chain combo, second chain, six pack of 2 stroke oil, and a new OEM air filter, and I'm into this free chainsaw for $154.04

 

[bullbreaker]

Rcpw.com here's where I purchased my last saw a Shindaiwa 600X. SAME as Echo . Really good saw . Sold my ms291 . If one is not in rush , at times they have even better prices . They offer alot on there site . No dog in there race .

 

[CobyRupert]

I started with and still use a Husky 53cc saw that had a 3/8” chain. It was okay and worked. When it was time to replace the bar I replaced bar (and drive sprocket) to use a 3/8” chain. It was like a new bigger saw and I’ve never looked back. It threw a lot more bigger chips faster.

I wouldn’t go back to a .325 chain unless it was for a small saw strictly devoted to small limb and brush work.

Your going to want to use the full power of the 60cc with a 3/8” chain.

 

[sandman2234]

Eddie, I sent you a PM.
David from jax

 

[CobyRupert]

Heads up and beware:

IMHO, a 3/8” chainsaw kick (back) a lot harder than a .325” saw if the tip contacts something.

Of course, we here never make any mistakes that inadvertently cause a kickback, so no worries.

 

[murphy1244]

Sorry Eddie I didn't know you already had the saw!

 

[EddieWalker]

No worries. I'm guilty of being confusing when trying to explain things.

Another person on here asked about the saws that died. I wasn't clear in explaining that I've been using Stihl chainsaws for 20 years. They seem to last about 7 years, with at least two trips to the shop during each 7 year period to adjust them and get them running properly. When they die, the guy in the shop keeps it and throws it away for me, and I buy another saw.

This time around, I decided not to buy another Stihl chainsaw. I just can't spend the money on a brand that I do not like. I knew my brother had a few chainsaws, but I didn't think they worked. They looked really rough. I cleaned up the biggest saw, and it fired right up. Super easy to start!!! I'm not used to that. Stihl always takes awhile to start after sitting for awhile.

I wanted to buy an Echo chainsaw. I have a small one and a gas weedeater that both start super fast and easy, so I wanted a 20 inch Echo chainsaw. When the Husqvarna dies, I'll reconsider what I want. I might become a fan of Husqvarna.

 

[sea2summit]

No worries. I'm guilty of being confusing when trying to explain things.

Another person on here asked about the saws that died. I wasn't clear in explaining that I've been using Stihl chainsaws for 20 years. They seem to last about 7 years, with at least two trips to the shop during each 7 year period to adjust them and get them running properly. When they die, the guy in the shop keeps it and throws it away for me, and I buy another saw.

This time around, I decided not to buy another Stihl chainsaw. I just can't spend the money on a brand that I do not like. I knew my brother had a few chainsaws, but I didn't think they worked. They looked really rough. I cleaned up the biggest saw, and it fired right up. Super easy to start!!! I'm not used to that. Stihl always takes awhile to start after sitting for awhile.

I wanted to buy an Echo chainsaw. I have a small one and a gas weedeater that both start super fast and easy, so I wanted a 20 inch Echo chainsaw. When the Husqvarna dies, I'll reconsider what I want. I might become a fan of Husqvarna.

Curious which Stihl saws you’re killing in seven years and what type of use (cords per year) that takes? I’ve only ever killed my Kombi and that was because it came to a sudden stop at the head, rebuilt it and it’s fine now though (12 years old).

As counter intuitive as it sounds if you want to cut faster you actually need a full skip chain. Keeping the rakers properly maintained and sharp cutting edges makes all the difference.

 

[RandyT]

.

As counter intuitive as it sounds if you want to cut faster you actually need a full skip chain. Keeping the rakers properly maintained and sharp cutting edges makes all the difference.

And people won't believe it until you convince them to try it. If somebody is running a 50cc size saw with the 3/8 chain by putting a full skip you can really bring that saw to life.