.325 or 3/8 on Stihl 036?

ZeroJunk · Jun 2, 2008

I've got my 036 back together.I've been told that the reason the crankshaft broke to start with was because the clutch drum was worn out and vibrated the shaft to failure. So,I'll replace it.
I was thinking that these normally used 3/8 chain, but some stores show .325 hub/sprocket package for the 036.

I've got a 1/2 dozen 3/8 bars laying around, but if a .325 will work better on this saw I can go that way also.
Thanks for any advice.

timberwolf · Jun 2, 2008

I can't see .325 working better unless used in only brush and small limbs. Even 260 sized saw for the most part the 3/8 comes out on top over .325.

Stick with 3/8 if that is what you already got.

SawTroll · Jun 2, 2008

Former member Glens once posted test results that showed .325x8 being faster than 3/8x7 in 10" or so shagbark hickory, with new Stihl RS on his 036 (with small 7-spline).

Halv used chain was of course faster (narrower kerf).

I believe the type and size of wood still is a factor in the 60cc class, not only in the 50cc class.........

2000ssm6 · Jun 2, 2008

Stay with 3/8, it has the power to pull it. I sold all my .325 stuff, the 026 runs 3/8 also.

scotclayshooter · Jun 2, 2008

2000ssm6 said:
Stay with 3/8, it has the power to pull it. I sold all my .325 stuff, the 026 runs 3/8 also.

+1

And a few less cutters to sharpen!

SawTroll · Jun 2, 2008

scotclayshooter said:
+1 And a few less cutters to sharpen!

Yes, about 10%, big deal.......:biggrinbounce2: :laugh:

...but I don't care to try .325 on my 361, anyway...

mountainlake · Jun 2, 2008

If your cutting bigger wood the 325 will cut faster with less speed and way more torque to the chain, used for limbing 3/8. Steve

SawTroll · Jun 2, 2008

2000ssm6 said:
Stay with 3/8, it has the power to pull it. I sold all my .325 stuff, the 026 runs 3/8 also.

Please define "pull it" - pretty hopeless, huh.... :givebeer:

scotclayshooter · Jun 2, 2008

mountainlake said:
If your cutting bigger wood the 325 will cut faster with less speed and way more torque to the chain, used for limbing 3/8. Steve

IMO 3/8 gets rid of chips better on longer bars so cuts faster!
Bigger cutters stand more sharpenings than 325.

And finally ST a 10% wage rise would be a big enough deal lol

2000ssm6 · Jun 2, 2008

SawTroll said:
Please define "pull it" - pretty hopeless, huh....

LOL, my muff modded 036 pulled a 20" 3/8 great, 25" if needed....

excess650 · Jun 2, 2008

scotclayshooter said:
IMO 3/8 gets rid of chips better on longer bars so cuts faster!
Bigger cutters stand more sharpenings than 325.

It seems to me that the larger 3/8 cutters don't dull as quickly, and are easier to sharpen by hand.

2000ssm6 · Jun 2, 2008

mountainlake said:
If your cutting bigger wood the 325 will cut faster with less speed and way more torque to the chain, used for limbing 3/8. Steve

.325 has it's place with the small saws, 50cc and up should be 3/8. Other mentioned reasons explain this also.

SawTroll · Jun 2, 2008

mountainlake said:
If your cutting bigger wood the 325 will cut faster with less speed and way more torque to the chain, used for limbing 3/8. Steve

I follow that, if both are 7-pin, but at some point chip clearance will become an issue with .325 - and .325x8 may be even faster than 3/8x7 for limbing, but worse for chip clearance in larger wood.

Generally, we are discussing tiny margins here - it is interesting, but I don't really care.... :givebeer:

The cutting actually takes just a tiny bit of the time involved in the process from standing trees in the woods, to firewood in the stove.
When the set-up feels good, it is good enough for me, no stop-watches involved here.....

opcorn:

...but it is fun to play around a bit.....:biggrinbounce2: :cheers:

mountainlake · Jun 2, 2008

scotclayshooter said:
IMO 3/8 gets rid of chips better on longer bars so cuts faster!
Bigger cutters stand more sharpenings than 325.

And finally ST a 10% wage rise would be a big enough deal lol

On 50CC saws like a 026 MS260 when the chain is spinning that fast it doesn't have enough torque to make chips. Seems like a little while back someone was running a 7900 Dolmar againt a Solo 681, the 7900 took 16.5 sec running a 8 pin ( pretty much the same difference as 325 to 3/8), the Solo 13 sec. Then changed the Dolmar to 7 pin and the time went down to 13.1 sec. OH right more chain speed is better. Pretty much the same results when I switch from 3/8 to 325, unless cutting small soft wood. Steve

scotclayshooter · Jun 2, 2008

mountainlake said:
On 50CC saws like a 026 MS260 when the chain is spinning that fast it doesn't have enough torque to make chips. Seems like a little while back someone was running a 7900 Dolmar againt a Solo 681, the 7900 took 16.5 sec running a 8 pin ( pretty much the same difference as 325 to 3/8), the Solo 13 sec. Then changed the Dolmar to 7 pin and the time went down to 13.1 sec. OH right more chain speed is better. Pretty much the same results when I switch from 3/8 to 325, unless cutting small soft wood. Steve

Bear in mind a 3/8 7 pin is about the same diameter as a 325 8 pin
The 3/8 7 pin should have the same chain speed as an 8 pin 325 give or take lol
Some one will sort this out and give us chain speeds!

SawTroll · Jun 2, 2008

Yes Scot, give and take. :cheers:

The .325x8 will produce slightly more chain speed than 3/8x7 (out of wood), and a corresponding loss of torque - but the .325 cuts a narrower cerf, so ???????

LOL!

mountainlake · Jun 2, 2008

scotclayshooter said:
Bear in mind a 3/8 7 pin is about the same diameter as a 325 8 pin
The 3/8 7 pin should have the same chain speed as an 8 pin 325 give or take lol
Some one will sort this out and give us chain speeds!

That 7900 Dolmar was running a 3/8 8 pin then a 3/8 7 pin the 8 pin will spin the chain around 14% faster, and that would be a saw that could pull a 8 pin 3/8 but going by timed cuts I guess not. Steve

SawTroll · Jun 2, 2008

mountainlake said:
That 7900 Dolmar was running a 3/8 8 pin then a 3/8 7 pin the 8 pin will spin the chain around 14% faster, and that would be a saw that could pull a 8 pin 3/8 but going by timed cuts I guess not. Steve

Depends on several factors, like raker hight, amount of pressure on the saw, exact model of chain, chain sharpness, how much it is filed back, wood type and size, etc.......

Vincent · Jun 2, 2008

Index numbers

Hi
what does a chainsaw do?
The fast running 2-Stroke engine pulls a well sharpend chain trough woodenmaterial. And makes chips.

Now it is the Question: what is faster in the same Diameter with the same saw: .325"by 8pin or 3/8"by 7pin on the SM7 shaft?
It gives the number: chipvolume per time

By the way: i burn cookies in the grill.

Cheers Vincent

outdoortype · Jun 3, 2008

I agree with Mountainlake

Steve is right. Given the sprocket size is similar, .325 should cut faster because it doesn't have to displace as much wood (more narrow kerf) and the motor is under less load. It just sucks that .325 has more teeth and on top of that they dull quicker imo.

.325 or 3/8 on Stihl 036?

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