3/8 mini -vs- .325 -vs- 3/8 ... -vs- ... .325 MINI ?!?

[SouthernGypsy]

I have never ran across ".325 mini" as a size on any saw I have ever owned in the past but recently bought a new 2025 Husqvarna 540XP Mark III that came with a 14" X-Precision bar marked 14" .325"m .043 and I'm wanting to put a 16" bar on it. Husky's website list that it can use either a .325 mini at .043 7T Spur -or- a 3/8 mini in .050 6T Spur. The saw came with an extra sprocket with it in a small Husqvarna bag inside of the box marked "577-38-97-01 Mini 3/8 6T" and I'm not certain why this extra part was included but assume Husqvarna was just giving customers the nessisary sprocket to swap bar/chain sizes if they wanted.

Since I do want to order a 16" bar/chain having the extra spur gives me more options but I'm confused as to which is better... If I remember correctly (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) I have always believed that standard .325 is between 3/8 mini and standard 3/8 in size, and usually is considered as cutting faster than the 3/8 mini while still letting smaller saws keep up their Rev's when cutting, thus is considered a good compromise between 3/8 mini and standard 3/8. So assuming I'm remembering correctly 3/8 mini is the smallest, standard .325 is the middle size, and standard 3/8 is the largest... between those three at least...

But, having never seen it before what I don't understand is where .325 mini comes in?
and what are the advantages/disadvantages of it compared to 3/8 mini, standard .325, and standard 3/8 ... ?

 

[Dacha]

Congrats on your new saw. It is really convenient Husky gave extra sprocket.

My guess is .325, .043, was introduced for top end cordless saws. (makita top end xgt saws run them)

.043 puts arguably less resistance to movement (thinner drive link) than .050 or .058, or .063 so it aids performance.

.325, .043 are less common, and probably pricier per tooth.

would be curious to know kerf width of .325, .043 mini, to be able to compare it to :

3/8 .043 lp

3/8 .050 lp

.325 .050 or .058, or .063

my guess is that kerf width is in-between 3/8 lp .043 and 3/8 lp .050, but closer to 3/8 lp .043.


.325 has smaller pitch than small or large 3/8's

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Was just talking to a guy that runs 325 043 nano narrow kerf on his 540 yesterday in CRG FB. I am thinking about putting it on a 200T.

I run it on 2511PN and it is the top chain shown in pic 325 043 narrow kerf. Is what echo offers as option now on their top handle gas saws.
Oregon also sells sets of it for top handles.

1/4" mini micro 043on bottom to compare.

Pic of my bar chain weight in the whole 325 043 nano set up weight wise. Very light on front too.

I also have 3/8LP set ups. The 325 043 NK is so smooth compared in cuts to 3/8LP.

 

[heimannm]

I have not encountered .325 narrow kerf (mini) chain yet but I presume the chassis is different from standard .325 the way 3/8 LP is different from the full 3/8 pitch chains. As a result the drive sprockets are different so you cannot just swap the bar and chain and use the "other" sprocket.

The advantages of the narrow kerf chain are less wood is removed when making a cut so less power is required, and since it is taking smaller bites the cutting will be smoother. 3/8 LP for example has been the standard on consumer saws for quite some time and I think Stihl lead the way with the 1/4 .043 and 3/8 LP (Pico) .043 chain to extend those advantages a step further.

The disadvantages of narrow kerf chain is that the cutters are smaller and so will not last as long, and the chassis is lighter making the chains more prone to breaking if they are over stressed.

Mark

 

[Franny K]

I have not encountered .325 narrow kerf (mini) chain yet but I presume the chassis is different from standard .325 the way 3/8 LP is different from the full 3/8 pitch chains. As a result the drive sprockets are different so you cannot just swap the bar and chain and use the "other" sprocket.

The Husqvarna battery 542 uses or comes with a regular .325 small spline rim sprocket and the sp21 husky chain which is really close to exactly Oregon 80txl. The rivet to sliding surface dimension is the same as .325NK and regular .325. The gasoline Husky in post 1 uses a spur sprocket and it is specific to the mini .325 chain. I have to wonder about 0.043 drive links fitting in a slot that will accomidate 0.063 but it does work and I tried it on another generic saw with a rim sprocket.

I have the 64 drive link loops in that sp21/80txl That is the same length as 56dl in 3/8lp. The cutters seem close to the Oregon 91px, a bit longer and smaller than the Oregon 91vxl/pxl or 63 Stihl picco.

Get the Husky roller guide for filing. No files or handles like others come with but the Oregon version sharpens really easy, not sure about the Husky sp21 have not sharpened that one lately. The Oregon has the features on the drive links and the Husky a bit longer cutters.