3/8" lowprofile vs .325

[SouthernLA]

Alright. I would like to either change the sprocket and bar on my small saws so they can use chain off the same reel. So should I change the 636 to .325 or change the 650 to 3/8' lowpro? Really, it would be great to have every thing in real 3/8" but I don't think the 636 could pull it. Cutting mostly pine and water oak. Mac doesn't make their own chain anymore do they? 10-15 years ago they had some awesome chain fast and lasted forever, it was a 3/8 chipper I think. My 610 could just barely pull it but it was great.

 

[Diesel JD]

You'll have to educate me, how many CCs are your small Macs? If you can run it I would run teh .325 round chisel. It will cut way faster than 3/8" Lo Pro if you have the power to haul it. That having been said, you can get some great 91VS chamfered chisel from Oregon, some really kick butt 30LP from Baileys, or some 63PM semi chisel from Stihl if your dealer knows they make a yellow family Picco chain. I would say if you're under 40ccs the 3/8 lo pro is better, 40-60ccs .325 and above that usually 3/8". I liked the cahin that came on my Mac, it was fast, but the saw was a p[iece of crap. It was probably rebadged Carlton. Mac saws, the older ones were great. I just inherited a 120 Top handle from my grandfather....great little saw. The good old Mac company is dead...new macs are Chinese/Taiwanese knockoffs, useful boat anchors but not much more. Fortunately some die hard Mac guys here keep teh old beasts alive from the good old days,
J.D.

 

[sawn_penn]

The good old Mac company is dead...new macs are Chinese/Taiwanese knockoffs, useful boat anchors but not much more.

Unfortunately my new POS Mac was made in the good ol USA.

Unsupported throwaway goods are the same, regardless of where they are made.

 

[SouthernLA]

I should have been more clear the 636 and 650 are Solos. I don't have any Macs anymore. The 636 is 36cc and the 650 is 51cc. Both have dual port mufflers and air box mods.

 

[Crofter]

.325 is sturdier chain than 3/8 lo pro. 325 is available in a good variety of cutter sizes and both semi and chisel to match a fairly wide range of power. 3/8 LO PRO has the rivets of 1/4 chain with extended side links and available i think only in semi chisel with rather puny cutter size.

 

[TimberPig]

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but your proposed swap will leave one of the saws cutting less efficiently than it could. The 636 is too small to cut effectively with .325" chain, and the 650 is well mated with .325" and will be a bit large to run 3/8" lo pro chain effectively. Your best bet is to leave them as they are, and simply live with it. Your current setup is what is best mated to those saws.

 

[SawTroll]

I strongly suspect that Timberpig is right!

If you have to use the same chain on both saws, Oregon 95VP (.325 narrow kerf) is probably the best choise.

 

[SouthernLA]

I guess I will leave well enough alone. I will probably just end up getting a bigger small saw anyhow. 636 cuts real good for it's size but not as good as I'd hoped. It's really light would make a good climbing saw if the handle was on top.

 

[SouthernLA]

I found a solution I'll get two more 694's with 14-16" bars. Now that would be a tough small saw, use the same chain as the big saw. It would be a good work out too. I could use the exercise. .5hp per inch of bar!