Bar and Chain Question

[YUKON 659]

I just ordered a couple of Gb bars from Jeff Sikkema. One of them was a 16" for my 346. My question is, the bar is not a narrow kerf bar can I still run 95vp chain on it? Jeff said I could....I'm not questioning his expertise....just reinforcing it. LOL
Another question while I'm asking them....is it or is it not a good idea to run used chain on a new sprocket?

Thanks, Jeff

 

[Lawn Masters]

Its best to run a new chain on a new sprocket. you wouldnt run a new chain on an old sprocket would you?

 

[sedanman]

Define "new" and "used". If the bar and sprocket ore brand new out of the box and that chain has been on another set for less than 1/4 of its life than I'd run them together. If the chain is much past the 1/4 mark get a new chain but save the worn one for when the bar and sprocket have more miles on them.

 

[glens]

If you told Jeff everything correctly then he gave you the right answer.

 

[YUKON 659]

Sedanman, new is brand new out of the box and used is less than half worn out.
Thanks Glens, like I said I wasn't questioning his knowledge just asking for other opinions.

Jeff

 

[brent denny]

Hey Jeff. I dont think you'll have a problem doing that. I am doing the very same thing right now with my 353. I have the factory 16" laminated bar and chain (narrow kerf) and I bought an 18" pro-top from Jeff Sikkema that I also run narrow kerf chain on. My only concern would be maybe as the chain gets filed back further and the tooth (and kerf) narrows, you could possibly run into a binding problem. I have one 18" chain filed about halfway back and no problems yet. If I get a chance, I will measure the thickness difference between the two bars. That 95vp is fast cutting chain, isn't it? I really like it and find it to be faster than oregon 33lg or even 20lp on my saw.

 

[brent denny]

BTW, due to the bigger profile and nose of the gb bar, you'll lose almost an inch of useable cutting length compared to a factory husky laminated bar. Thats why I went with the 18". The GB is much stronger and has little or no flex in it and is also quite a bit heavier. That being said, I have gotten pretty good service out of the factory laminated bars.

 

[SawTroll]

...............That 95vp is fast cutting chain, isn't it? I really like it and find it to be faster than oregon 33lg or even 20lp on my saw.

Some time ago, someone stated that it was faster than Stihl 23 RS, too - but I don't remember which kind of saw they were tried side by side on.....
I think it very well could be the other way around with a stronger saw, say a 357xp or MS360.
The only way to find out is to try them on the same saw and sprocket setup.
As I recall, Oregon does not recommend the 95VP in combination with a 8 pin sprocket.