An old trick of the trade

[Timberhauler]

I'm just curious as to how many of you know this,but I have done it for years with much success.....I use the standard .50 gauge bars and chains on all of my big saws....But,when you wear out a .50 gauge guide bar,you can tweak the bar a bit and make a .53 gauge chain work on it,and get that much more life out of the bar.We do this all the time,and I was wondering if anyone else did this,If not,then I guess I've just given away one of my secrets.

 

[livewire]

Just curious

Does the bars groove depth ever present a problem?

 

[sedanman]

I read somewhere that that was the original intent of offering 3 guages.

 

[Stihl Crazy]

I have been doing that for 20 plus years. Never mentioned it though as I figured that I was just being cheap.

 

[Lakeside53]

I'm just curious as to how many of you know this,but I have done it for years with much success.....I use the standard .50 gauge bars and chains on all of my big saws....But,when you wear out a .50 gauge guide bar,you can tweak the bar a bit and make a .53 gauge chain work on it,and get that much more life out of the bar.We do this all the time,and I was wondering if anyone else did this,If not,then I guess I've just given away one of my secrets.

I think you mean 0.058, or 0.063? Yes, I see this, but don't do it.

I find that if a 50 bar is worn enough to use a 63, it's been way too sloppy for way too long... I close them.

 

[logger121]

how do you do that

I'm just curious as to how many of you know this,but I have done it for years with much success.....I use the standard .50 gauge bars and chains on all of my big saws....But,when you wear out a .50 gauge guide bar,you can tweak the bar a bit and make a .53 gauge chain work on it,and get that much more life out of the bar.We do this all the time,and I was wondering if anyone else did this,If not,then I guess I've just given away one of my secrets.

How do you wear the bar down to that size, out of curiosity

 

[Timberhauler]

How do you wear the bar down to that size, out of curiosity

It will be more narrow when new,and as you wear chains out on it,it will open up,letting you use the wider chain.....Sorry I got my numbers mixed up.