Firstly, BIG THANKS to everyone for answering my pesky questions - you folks are the BEST!!!!!
I find that at work and now at my local Stihl dealer that I can't just take someone's "here's what you need" advise without checking-out what they are telling me is accurate. I like having dealer suppport and don't mind paying more for it rather than make the first option the big box store - but... I trust my Stihl dealer to give me the right stuff for my saw, but while figuring out what bar and chain combo I need for my fine 038 and 034 saws, I'm finding the dealer doesn't know his a#@ from a hole in the ground EVEN when I bring the saw with me for him to see with his very own eyes.
Both saws are set-up for 3/8 pitch chain, .050 and 60 links yet when I ask for a new chain and check what he gave me, I got a .370 non-Stihl chain vs 3/8. I then have a look at my files and he gives me two different diameters!
Maybe I need to pay more attention too.
As to the chain question, I take it that 3/8 ( which = .375) pitch chain is close enough to .370 chain? I assume .370 is the pitch? I have never heard of .370 chain. Is this some kind of odd-ball size, what saw would use it, can I use it in place of 3/8 chain?
Thanks again for everyone's answers to my questions. I've got some great saws and am a learning work in progress.
Bill
I find that at work and now at my local Stihl dealer that I can't just take someone's "here's what you need" advise without checking-out what they are telling me is accurate. I like having dealer suppport and don't mind paying more for it rather than make the first option the big box store - but... I trust my Stihl dealer to give me the right stuff for my saw, but while figuring out what bar and chain combo I need for my fine 038 and 034 saws, I'm finding the dealer doesn't know his a#@ from a hole in the ground EVEN when I bring the saw with me for him to see with his very own eyes.
Both saws are set-up for 3/8 pitch chain, .050 and 60 links yet when I ask for a new chain and check what he gave me, I got a .370 non-Stihl chain vs 3/8. I then have a look at my files and he gives me two different diameters!
Maybe I need to pay more attention too.
As to the chain question, I take it that 3/8 ( which = .375) pitch chain is close enough to .370 chain? I assume .370 is the pitch? I have never heard of .370 chain. Is this some kind of odd-ball size, what saw would use it, can I use it in place of 3/8 chain?
Thanks again for everyone's answers to my questions. I've got some great saws and am a learning work in progress.
Bill