Need 1/2" chain for a couple of old bowsaws

Wesspur
Rugged made
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GoRving

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Can't find any! I would like to know how much trouble it is to convert the old bowsaws over to .404 chains. Would I need to change the drive sprockets? If so, where would I find them to fit a Homey and a Poulan mod. 54? I understand that you can still get pre-made loops of 1/2" chain, but I doubt that there are any for a bow. Perhaps buy a couple loops and put them together? I know....Alot of questions, but I appreciate any advice.
 
As far as I know they don't make 1/2" chain anymore. I would think that you may find it at an antique tractor show where they have a saw meet or someone on here may have some stashed away. It will be BIG$$$$$ either way!:jawdrop:

Steve
 
STEVEGODSEYJR said:
As far as I know they don't make 1/2" chain anymore. I would think that you may find it at an antique tractor show where they have a saw meet or someone on here may have some stashed away. It will be BIG$$$$$ either way!:jawdrop:

Steve
Click to expand...
Yep...I'l have to just be happy with the sound of them running, but as far as cutting, I'm probably SOL..:)
 
Bill G said:
I can help you with the gears on the Homelite. I have a Poulan KD100 to look at so I may have that one done soon.

Bill
Click to expand...
Thanks, Bill!! I have some new old-stock .404 chain, if I can just get a sprocket. I appreciate the help. I also have a K-100 that I got awile back. Somebody had put a new Sabre 20" bar on it(no chain). I'm hoping the sprocket on that one has been changed, but I don't think so.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
GoRving said:
Can't find any! I would like to know how much trouble it is to convert the old bowsaws over to .404 chains. Would I need to change the drive sprockets? If so, where would I find them to fit a Homey and a Poulan mod. 54? I understand that you can still get pre-made loops of 1/2" chain, but I doubt that there are any for a bow. Perhaps buy a couple loops and put them together? I know....Alot of questions, but I appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...

PM me, I have a bunch of new 1/2 inch chipper and can spin up some loops for you.
 
I can attest to the sprocket adapters that Bill makes for the Homelite geardrives. I have one for my 770G that adapts it for an Oregon rim sprocket. Then I can run .404 on it if I need to. But I just ran in to a decent stash of 1/2" chain for my old saws. :clap:

Gary
 
GASoline71 said:
I can attest to the sprocket adapters that Bill makes for the Homelite geardrives. I have one for my 770G that adapts it for an Oregon rim sprocket. Then I can run .404 on it if I need to. But I just ran in to a decent stash of 1/2" chain for my old saws. :clap:

Gary
Click to expand...

There must still be a ton of 1/2 inch
chain in your neck of the woods. From
what it gather it was used on a lot of
direct drives as well as most geardrives.
A few of my Mac's had 1/2 sprokets on
them. The Homelite 2000 had 1/2 inch
as standard chain with 404 as an option.


Lee
 
check with you local saw shops, especially the ones that have been open for a while. They tend to hang on to a lot of old stuff and are a pretty good source for parts to old saws. Being as common as 1/2" was I would think one would have a reel laying under a bench somewhere
 
GASoline71 said:
I can attest to the sprocket adapters that Bill makes for the Homelite geardrives. I have one for my 770G that adapts it for an Oregon rim sprocket. Then I can run .404 on it if I need to. But I just ran in to a decent stash of 1/2" chain for my old saws. :clap:

Gary
Click to expand...
You are lucky! 1/2" is as scarce as hen's teeth around here. I do have about 10 pounds of old new stock .404 though.

ironman_gq said:
check with you local saw shops, especially the ones that have been open for a while. They tend to hang on to a lot of old stuff and are a pretty good source for parts to old saws. Being as common as 1/2" was I would think one would have a reel laying under a bench somewhere
Click to expand...

I've checked with a couple of old shops with no luck, but I have a couple more to check with. Thanks.
 

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