260 Pro Bar Chain Recommendation

wildnorthern · Jul 28, 2006

I have posted before asking questions about different mfg and size saws. My father in law "thinks" he can get me this saw at close to cost so I think this would be my best bet.

I plan on running the saw stock until warranty is out and then opening muffler up and jetting screw.

Knowing I will mod it, what will the best bar length? My dad wants me to get 18" so we can interchange chain with his 361 which also means I would have to get 3/8" That would be nice but performance comes first. What do you think?

Second, I know the stock chain is crap from what I have read however being a greenhorn I still want "reduced" kick back chain. What recommendations would you have for hard wood and what chain for soft wood? Did I read rsc3 is a good chain? I don't know if that chain is for soft wood or hard wood.

btw.... I will be using this saw for falling trees for firewood and clearning trails. For as much as I will use this and my build I don't need a bigger saw.

thanks in advance

Lakeside53 · Jul 28, 2006

You'll be real happy with an 18 inch bar.

For your purpose, the is nothing wrong with 3/8 although most in your area run .325. RSC3 is a very good chain.. The wood doesn't matter and not a big difference between RSC3 and RSC when it comes to cutting speed.

West Texas · Jul 29, 2006

18" bar is perfect for the 260; balances well, not too short and not too long. I have an 18" bar on both my 260 and one of my 361. I think you will like any RS chain. I run .325 square chisel on my 260 and a friend runs it on his 20" bar. Over that length and you might prefer the 3/8 chain.

wildnorthern · Jul 29, 2006

Thank you

Padraig_54 · Jul 29, 2006

Poulan Pro 260

New to site.
Bought Poulan 260 from Canadian Tire.
Big boo boo! No support.

Being new chainsaw owner, I figured these things would go for a few years without needing sharpening. Greener then green I am. I'll leave it to your imagination as to how I figured out this thing needed sharpening.

However, I was not injured, nor did I cause injury. I did go into CTC to purchase a hand file kit. They didn't have a clue as to what size of file I needed. :angry:

:censored: The only intelligent thing that one sales associate might have said was "buy a new chain". He may have seen through to my "Tim Allen Toolman" (Aargh aargh aargh) self reliant, disaster prone approach to chainsaw maintenance.

Basically though, I'm economical (cheap) and would like to be able to sharpen this chainsaw properly, myself. I purchased a 7/32 " file and guide kit, which is still unopened. I was told it was the most popular kit. I like popular but have come to learn it is not always the correct way to go.

The Poulan 260 has an 18" chain. Does anyone know what the correct file kit size is? Are there any good web sites that deal with sharpening this particular model of chain saw.

An old timer borrowed the chain saw and sharpened it once (by eye) and it did help but the sharpening lasted through one tree only so I suspect that he may have done something wrong (or perhaps it was my cutting through the tree roots of my old apple tree in the front yard that was the cause of all the sawdust I was creating when I tried to start cutting down a friend's red pine :chainsaw:

SO, I wait with baited breathe for the insults to follow and then some good advice as to how to sharpen this thing.

opcorn:

GAPULPER · Jul 29, 2006

My guess is you need a 5/32" file for this chain. I checked the Plano Power site and it indicates the chain for a Poulan 260 is 3/8" low profile or "Picco" for which I would use a 5/32" file. I suggest requesting a catalogue from Bailey's which will give you a good idea of the popular chains and file guides which should help you.

wildnorthern · Jul 29, 2006

Getting the saw for $397 plus tax, has 18" bar. Not a great deal but slightly better then what I have found elsewhere. Anyone know what list is for it with 18" bar?