.325" or 3/8"

[buck12]

I need an education on chainsaw chains. I am planning to buy a Stihl 260 pro in the next couple of weeks. It is available with a .325 or 3/8 chain. I am not sure which is best for my needs. The main use will be limbing, cutting lots of smaller to medium size trees, and cutting the occasional large tree. The saw is probably more than I need and more $ than I should spend for my uses but I am tired of cheap saws. I want a saw that will run when needed and last for years. Any guidance as to chain size is appreciated.

 

[Ductape]

I would run .325 on that saw unless you already have other saws running 3/8ths. If you already have other saws with 3/8ths its a matter of convenience when sharpening, buying chains, etc. Otherwise, i'd stick with the .325 .

 

[jpm1]

:2cents: I've own Stihl saws for years and you will not regret buying it, it's only money. At one time i was a big firewood cutter and dad told me to rin the biggest chain possible. It seems easier to grind or file and pulls a bigger chip when cutting. If your buying from a dealer say in the country talk to them, big box stores probably will not be of much help. I am very fortunate to have a great dealer who has been in this business for lots of years and is GREAT to work with. Remember all this is my opinion, good luck. . . John :thumbsup:

 

[Car Doc]

If you have other saws with 3/8 it may make sharpening and chain buying easier having all the same chain otherwise the .325 arguably will cut quicker and smoother (less felt vibration) as long as it is nice and sharp especially if its narrow kerf NK type chain which it probably is. My experience with NK chain is it dulls easily.

I went from 95VP NK to 3/8 chisel and noticed a lot more vibration on my trim saw but grinding chains is a breeze now. I don't have to mess with the grinder settings anymore so at least for me it works better. ymmv

 

[s78wingrider]

Smaller chains take less power but require you to be a better operator because they pinch easier. :confused2:

 

[Country1]

Congrats on picking a fine saw!
I've been cutting wood all my life and my saw of choice is by far is a Pro model Stihl. The 260 pro with a 16" bar and .325 Stihl RSC chain will serve your requirements for many years or even a lifetime if taken care of. You want to go with .325 chain for the reasons stated above, smoother in the cut and less power robing. RSC is Stihl's Rapid Super Full Chisel chain. It's the chain the pro's run. I've run up to a 20" bar on my 026 (same as the 260, but older) and it works but not ideal. In my opinion, a 16 is much better balanced and gives good power and torque. Having to make a double cut with a 16 every once in a while for the bigger trees is a better solution than running an 18 or 20 all the time.

I'd get one or two extra loops of chain to put on when one gets dull or you get into some dirt or rocks. Sagging and/or dull chains are the number one problem with inexperienced operators. So keep your chains tight and sharp and good luck and happy sawing!:thumbsup:

 

[Saxman]

I have a 260 and run 3/8" .063 gauge chain on it because I have many other Stihl saws all the way up to a 660 that all run the same pitch and gauge. That allows me to switch bars and chains between all of them. If you are only going to have the 260 the .325 will be fine, but it will handle the other well also. Also, be aware that Stihl has just come out with the replacement for the MS260, the MS261. I have both and the 261 has a better air filtration system, better anti-vibe, and is a stratified engine design that uses less fuel. The 260 is great, but maybe you can use this to get a better price on the it if the dealer knows you know about the 261. Can't go wrong with either saw.

Steve

 

[jdonovan]

I need an education on chainsaw chains. I am planning to buy a Stihl 260 pro in the next couple of weeks. It is available with a .325 or 3/8 chain.

I prefer the 3/8 as there is a greater selection of chain styles available for the 3/8 vs the .325. Rip, carbide, skip etc...

However for general homeowner/farm/ranch, you are unlikely to see/notice the difference. For a 5+ cord a year firewood processor, daily use pro etc... those are the people who will see/notice/care about the difference.

The other tip to happy saws... Sharp chains. Get a file and guide and learn how to use it. Touch up your chain every fuel tank or two (the saw not the 5gal can :laughing. Keep a few spares. That way when you try to cut the earth in half, you'll be more likely to swap to a good chain than keep pushing a bad one.

 

[LD1]

If stihl list is as either .325 or 3/8, if you opt for the 3/8, it would probabally be the low-profile 3/8. Or picco as I have heard it called.

There actually isnt a whole lot of difference in the 3/8 Low-profile and .325 chain in terms of how they feel in the cut. They are both smoother and geared toward use on smaller saws compared to somethig like 3/8 full comp.

That said, it is a matter of personal perfrence. Ask your dealer. And ask him which he stocks the most of. (if that is where you plan on buying replacement chains from). If he doesnt sell many .325 chains, and in turn doesn't stock many, that alone may sway you to the 3/8.

 

[lmalcomb]

I worked at a Sthil Dealer's shop for a few years, If You are getting Your saw From a Dealer(Small engine shop) ask them They will know all of the advatages & disadvantages of each size. The shop I worked at sold way more Oregon saw chain than Stil. For the record I perfer 3/8" chain over .325 .

 

[buck12]

Thanks for the advice. I will be buying from a dealer. This is the dealer I currently buy auto and lawnmower parts from (it is NAPA store and sells Stihl, Huskey). I grew up cutting firewood and still occasionaly help my Dad. I have always borrowed one of Dad's saws but I am tired of his cheap saws and figure I am pushing forty, time to quit borrowing his stuff.

 

[Chilly807]

Thanks for the advice. I will be buying from a dealer. This is the dealer I currently buy auto and lawnmower parts from (it is NAPA store and sells Stihl, Huskey). I grew up cutting firewood and still occasionaly help my Dad. I have always borrowed one of Dad's saws but I am tired of his cheap saws and figure I am pushing forty, time to quit borrowing his stuff.

I personally like .325 chain, but I'm usually not in a big hurry either. I do have a Stihl 044 with 3/8 chain, anything less on that saw would be ridiculous.

My cutoff point for .325 to 3/8 is 60cc. Anything less really doesn't have the power to pull a 3/8 properly, and anything bigger is wasted on .325. My personal opinion, obviously.

Sean

 

[magicheater]

. Having to make a double cut with a 16 every once in a while for the bigger trees is a better solution than running an 18 or 20 all the time.
I'd get one or two extra loops of chain to put on when one gets dull or you get into some dirt or rocks. Sagging and/or dull chains are the number one problem with inexperienced operators. So keep your chains tight and sharp and good luck and happy sawing!:thumbsup:

Longer bar means you bend less, I have found an 18" bar is a great compromise. Still running it after more than 20 years, many semi loads and more cords of firewood than I can count. I agree with the rest of the advice.

 

[newbury]

I need an education on chainsaw chains. I am planning to buy a Stihl 260 pro in the next couple of weeks. It is available with a .325 or 3/8 chain. I am not sure which is best for my needs. The main use will be limbing, cutting lots of smaller to medium size trees, and cutting the occasional large tree. The saw is probably more than I need and more $ than I should spend for my uses but I am tired of cheap saws. I want a saw that will run when needed and last for years. Any guidance as to chain size is appreciated.

I'd say go with 3/8, but then my favorite saws are a pair of 660's. Seen below.

But I'd suggest you wait. Prices just went up and the new 261 is being introduced. General consensus on AS is that it's GOOD, but hard to get.
There's numerous threads on it.

 

[kjung17]

I heat an old (1890) farm house with wood, so I cut a little. My "little" saw as is a Stihl 180c with a 14 inch bar and 3/8 picco chain. I love it. I use one chain a year and rarely have to sharpen or even re-tension. I can keep up with much larger saws. Great little saw.

 

[buck12]

I'd say go with 3/8, but then my favorite saws are a pair of 660's. Seen below.

But I'd suggest you wait. Prices just went up and the new 261 is being introduced. General consensus on AS is that it's GOOD, but hard to get.
There's numerous threads on it.

Which threads are you referring to? The Stihl website list specs for the 261 but when I link to retailer sites they show the 260 and prices for it. I need a saw by February. I spend February and half of March, between deer and turkey season, doing land clearing, cleaning shooting lands, etc. I hope to make it by the local shop tomorrow. I was in the shop about a month ago and they had a 260.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I have chains and bar left over from Solo (R.I.P.) and I plan to use them up on my Husqvarna 455. Those chains are .325 and narrow kerf, they cut like there is no tomorrow, but I will probably go back to 3/8" when they are used up.

Chains are not a rocket science and it is possible to go back and forth if you have the swapable sprockets. They are better for your saw anyway, that's why I converted my 455 to it.

 

[jonyyuma]

Newbury, Nice saws, plenty of bar and chain to use. I own the 028 woodboss with a 16 inch bar and .325 chain. It is just right for my uses, and I sharpen my own chains with a jig and file. Jy.

 

[buck12]

I stopped by the dealer today. He had two 260s with .325 chains and 18" bar. Said he would swap to a 16" if I prefered it. He has yet to get in any of the new 261s.

 

[Country1]

Did he have an idea as to when he might get one of the 261's? The new strato saws are nice. I had a 361 (strato), sold and now have a 362 (strato) as my primary fire wood saw and it's becoming my go to saw. There's nothing wrong with the 260 though. It's an awesome saw too and a proven performer. You really can't go wrong with either 260 or 261.