Bar groove wear tolerances

[Haywire Haywood]

I have a question concerning groove width. How wide is too wide? How do you know when you need to have it dressed or the groove closed? Is .062 too wide for a .050 bar?

inquiring minds want to know,
Ian

P.S. I did a search, but do you have any idea how many results you get from a "bar groove" search here? ROFL

 

[Lakeside53]

I assume your measurement is at the top? Most bar grooves wear tapered, so just close it up. You'll soon figure out if the chain is too sloppy side to side.. I like to grind the bar edges first to get a good surface for measuring etc.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

A tree sitting back on it closes it pretty good I hear. LOL.. Bailey's sells this, I dunno if it works well or not. I just don't know if/when it needs it. --Ian

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/1479?mv_session_id=bVbkJ6kz&product_sku=W 10001

 

[Haywire Haywood]

They also sell these for squaring up the bar edge, anyone use them and can comment on how well they work? --Ian

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/1349?mv_session_id=bVbkJ6kz&product_sku=UKF

 

[Stihl #1]

STIHL has these tools are available to attempt to recondition bar grooves:
1110 893 9000 groove gauge 1.3mm for closing the rails MSRP around $15
1110 893 9200 groove drift 1.3mm for opening up a pinch MSRP around $60
1106 893 9000 groove gauge 1.6mm $13
1106 893 9200 groove drift 1.6mm $73
The tools for closing the rails are just a flat plate you put in the groove, and then hammer them shut on an anvil. The groove drifts are large flat punches tha can be driven straight into the groove to open it up.
So they are a little pricey, but hopefully your dealer will do the job for a reasonable fee.
I haven't tried the tools from Baileys, but I am curious if they are any good. I always used a stationary belt sander with the rest set at 90 degrees to true up the edges, and the STIHL tools above, with good results.

 

[adkranger]

They also sell these for squaring up the bar edge, anyone use them and can comment on how well they work? --Ian

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/1349?mv_session_id=bVbkJ6kz&product_sku=UKF

I'm sure that works just fine. I personally just use a hand file to dress the bar, usually a few swipes cleans it up nicely.

 

[Husky137]

I've had good luck with both of those tools that Bailey's sells. Been using them for 4 or 5 years.

 

[SRT-Tech]

They also sell these for squaring up the bar edge, anyone use them and can comment on how well they work? --Ian

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/1349?mv_session_id=bVbkJ6kz&product_sku=UKF

they work EXCELLENT!

 

[Lakeside53]

A tree sitting back on it closes it pretty good I hear. LOL.. Bailey's sells this, I dunno if it works well or not. I just don't know if/when it needs it. --Ian

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/1479?mv_session_id=bVbkJ6kz&product_sku=W 10001

Treeco -this is the one I use, or similar version. Works well, takes quite a few passes to close it up but with a little time it happens...

 

[SawTroll]

I'm sure that works just fine. I personally just use a hand file to dress the bar, usually a few swipes cleans it up nicely.

A large raker file works well.

I use it quite often, so the edges never get really bad, and the top of the grooves stay flat.......:biggrinbounce2: