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.

 

[SouthernGypsy]

Well I'm still a little lost as to which one is larger/smaller the .325 mini or the 3/8 mini, if both have .043 gauge?

From largest to smallest what would then be the correct order between; 3/8, .3/8 mini, .325, and .325 mini?

 

[Franny K]

The Stihl 61pmm3 which is the 3/8lp with 0.043 gauge is a bit smaller than the sp21/80txl. The 90 class Oregon is probably a bit smaller than the Stihl counterpart 61pmm3. Carlton n4c and some economy import .043 3/8lp use the same cutters from the 3/8lp by 0.050. You are kind of making up classes not calling out actual product.

 

[SouthernGypsy]

I'm not using Sthil or Oregon so unfortunatally the numbers for those companies you mentioned don't tell me much beyond of course (I could be wrong) that I was under the impression that the Stihl 3/8lp with .043 you mentioned is what Husky calls 3/8 mini, which can be .043 or .050 gauge. The Oregon numbers you mentioned don't tell me anything at all.

I'm afraid I'm not sure where the reference to making up classes came from... To me classes (in this context) reffers to different classes of saws but I have not discussed saw classes. I was reffering to the actual bar/chain sizes listed on Husqvarna saws, bars, and their website listings for optional sizes for those same saws, the class of the saw didn't really matter (though I did mention in this particular case it's a 540XP Mark III) as they use the same bar/chain size references on all classes of their saws. There are some larger sizes of course that I didn't mention but those are usually reserved for much bigger saws so I didn't mention them as they wasn't of much concern with reguard to what I was curious about. I was just using the same numbering they do, they list them as 3/8, 3/8m (mini), .325, and .325m (mini) so that's the same size references I used... Some of them are available in several different gauges, others are only in a few the gauges (which I know complicates things a little more) but I'm just trying to get a feel for how these four pitch sizes that Husqvarna uses stack up to each other?

 

[SouthernGypsy]

Something that's a little off my original topic (though related just from my own curiosity standpoint) that I would like to do is to put a .325 .050 bar/chain on my 540XP III. Now, they do make a X-Force bar in that size in 16", and of course chain, which I have a lot of because I have a larger saw (550XP Mark III) which uses .325 .050 already and have plenty of it.

But the Husky website only list .325 Mini .043 or 3/8 mini .050 as options on this saw, they don't list .325 .050, even though I know they make both the bar and the chain in that size and both are readily available locally, unlike the .325 mini which no one around here seems to keep in stock normally.

So what I haven't turned up is if there is a sprocket (or conversion to rim) for this saw that lets me use the .325 .050 and I'm not sure if the the .325 mini sprocket on it will work with regular .325 chain, though my assumption (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) was that .325 chain wouldn't sit properly on the saws .325 mini sprocket.

Since so far I haven't found (if anyone knows of one please let me know) a .325 .050 sprocket, that got me curious of how the .325 mini in .043 compares size and curring wise to the other sprocket that did come with the saw which is 3/8 mini in .050

To sum it up, If I can't get the .325 .050 and am forced to choose between the .325 mini .043 7T spur and the 3/8 mini .050 6T spur when I order a 16" bar then I'm not sure which will work best between those two as I have zero experiance with the .325 mini at all... I have always thought that the regular .325 was supposed to be a good compromise between 3/8 and 3/8 mini, but I don't know where .325 mini falls in such a group?

 

[Franny K]

If you had the battery 542 .325 NK sp33g is allowable per the manual. You have a choice of two spur sprockets like you put in bold.

Here is Stihl 61pmm3 and Husq sp21

 

[SouthernGypsy]

For some reason I had thought .325 Mini was also a NK?

I don't have a 542 at all, nothing that's battery powered, but I looked at the specs page and you are correct, the 542 Battery model list both .325 and .325 Mini as options, it uses a Rim instead of a Spur.... Are you saying the Rim setup from a Battery 542 also fits the 540XP MKIII?

 

[Franny K]

.. Are you saying the Rim setup from a Battery 542 also fits the 540XP MKIII?

no There are prong like things on the 540 gasoline clutch drums to drive the oiler. Different on 542.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

For some reason I had thought .325 Mini was also a NK?

325 043 nano is NK

Look at the chain I showed earlier. It's the top one.
Bottom 1/4" mini micro 043.

Who I order this stuff from and this is set for 540T . https://www.sawsuppliers.com/products/oregon-speedcut-nano™-conversion-kit-husqvarna-t540-xp-t540xp-ii-includes-bar-chain-sprocket

= SpeedCut™ Nano Conversion Kits has been engineered from the ground up with maximum efficiency in mind. Built to optimize saw performance, SpeedCut Nano is the first .325 Low Profile system and meets the demands of tree care professionals like no other on the market.

• Fits Husqvarna T540 XP & T540XP II
• For saws in the 1-3hp range (20-38cc)
• Pitch: .325" Low Profile (NEW) narrow kerf, Gauge: .043", 7-tooth spur sprocket
• Lubritec™ keeps your chain and guide bar oiled for less friction and longer life
• Longer run time from a uniquely designed SpeedCut Nano 80TXL saw chain which increases saw cutting efficiency
• Increased speed allows compact saws to take on a big projects
• Smooth cuts and nearly no cutting chatter
• Performance that won't stall in the cut

Chain Bar Sprocket Conversion Kits

Product Family	SpeedCut Nano™

 

[Franny K]

Low profile and NK, narrow kerf may be trademarked by Oregon. Almost positive low profile is from the days of 33 sl and lg, 34 and 35 as well. Oregon can at any time I suppose kind of change what falls into those terms.

To me NK is H30, sp33, the 95 labeled Oregon offerings. Up to 55cc, Baileys has a woodland pro offering likely Carlton. Essentially the lighter Stihl offerings lately in .325/0.050" code 3690 being the first one to make it to market here.
Perhaps pixel is Husky's trademarked term, do they use pixel for sp21? Mini pixel here https://www.husqvarna.com/us/search-results/?q=X-PRECISION SP21G, .325" mini pixel pitch, .043 gauge

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

80TXL 325 043 NK https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/speedcut™-nano-saw-chain,-12"/p/80txl051g

https://www.baileysonline.com/orego...7pLRXUZcqoOJ3imq-wFk9agG9ZuNJZqic1SSC8ihBqYQ5

https://www.sawsuppliers.com/produc...pO3lCyyoWc5eYfSHGpKqalVQPL38_7ryKwyv2gvV63bQV

 

[Franny K]

Why 59 drive links that is like Stihl doing 55dl. Two teeth pointing the same way and a skip. 64 dl is a balanced loop.

I got the Oregon 64dl bar from Saw suppliers and it is the same as the Husky one (steel core laminated) except paint and nose lube hole present on the Husky one. Pretty low cost.

 

[SouthernGypsy]

RedneckChainsawRepair, Thanks, and yea I have seen the Oregon Speedcut Nano kit but that is .325 Mini .043 which is basically what I already have, plus I thought you could only use Oregon Nano chains with their Speedcut Nano sprocket/bar which would be even more limiting.

What I was wanting to do was go to regular .325 .050 because I have plenty of that from my 550XP MKII. They could even share bars as well as chains if I wanted as I already have 16, 18, and 20 bars for the 550XPII. After I bought the 550XPII and was deciding between 18" and 20" and went for the 18" since I already had a 562XP Mark II with 20" and 24" bars (came with a 20" and I ordered a X-Tough Light 24") and my dealer said hang on and went in back and came back with a 16" and a 20" bar and gave them to me, said he just had a local tree-care company buy several saws and didn't want the stock X-Tough bars so just gave them to me. So that's part of the reason I'd like to find a Sprocket or Rim to fit the 540XPIII that lets it run regular .325 .050 because I already have that 16" bar and plenty of chain in that size and it feels like the 540XPIII is strong enough to run it.

I don't know if I'd want to go to regular 3/8 on a 16" bar with it but I think it'd do good witht he .325 .050 setup and might even run the 18" bar decently. The thing seems like a screamer, a buddy of mine was over Saturday and was lookin at all of my current saws and picked up the 540XPIII and said "Daaam Man! that's gotta be the sleekest lookin' saw I've ever seen, looks like the Ferrari 599 GTB of chainsaws... how's it run?" I told him just like it looks... very light, low slung low profile body, and fast... Yea, like the Ferrari of saws... No your not gonna pull down a 50" hardwood with it, I'd want the Ram Cummins Diesel of saws for that, but in it's size range it's a screamer, and yea, if ole' Enzo Ferrari was still around and designed a chainsaw, this might be kinda what you'd expect it to look like. He told me I should take the orange plastic parts off and paint them Ferrari 599 GTB Cherry Red Metallic (I think Ferrari actually calls it Rubino Micalizzato Metallic). I told him yea that would look pretty cool, but not happening...


(and yep, I'm still wonderin how my very redneck homesteader buddy who doesn't even have TV service even knows what a Ferrari 599 GTB looks like, don't think he's been to a Ferrari dealer lately .... or ever!)

 

[SouthernGypsy]

Last night I did finally run across a post from a few years ago on another forum where someone attempted to answer the question I was curious about which was where the .325 Mini would land in the line-up of sizes and a guy was trying to answer the same question, he admited he wasn't 100% certain but believed the lineup from large to small would go like;

3/8
.325
.325 Mini
.325 Mini NK
3/8 Low Profile
3/8 Low Profile NK

He included more sizes than I was originally curious about. One thing that stood out to me was he identified .325 Mini and .325 Mini NK as two different things... I had thought all .325 was NK but noticed that he pointed out that you can get .325 Mini in both .050 or in .043, so he was reffering to the .043 as NK.

He admited he wasn't 100% sure he had the line up in the correct order, especially the .325 Mini NK, but thought he did... He said there was a chance he was wrong the .325 Mini NK should actually be between the 3/8 Low Pro and 3/8 Low Pro NK and that he wasn't certain on that one because the only .325 Mini he had to measure in person was .050 so he's never personally measured the .325 Mini NK and was just going by published specs.

 

[Franny K]

in Oregon by cutter size

3/8
.325
.325 NK
3/8 Low Profile
.325 Mini NK
3/8 Low Profile NK

72exl
20bpx H
95txl
91vxl S
80txl
90px

And then they decide to package them by letter in half the places they get sold.