Forester Platinum Guide Bars?

[Pepster]

I've found a few mentions of the Forester Platinum bars searching the forum, but they were several years old.

Anyone have longterm experience they can share?

I can get a brand new in sleeve, D009 24" 3/8 .50 out the door for $50 (authorized dealer).
Hes trying to get away from Forest bars, bad feedback from customers (mainly laminated, green bars).
I looked @ it, & it seemed like it was built pretty nice.
Any experience?

 

[user 122190]

I used one on my 461 for 5 years. Still going strong when I sold it with the saw.

 

[homemade]

One word. Heavy
Heavy duty and heavy weight.
The 20” I have, has about 5 gallons of gas on the saw. Barely shows any wear.


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[RedneckChainsawRepair]

24" 3/8 050 D025 stihl bar weight to compare. No different in weight of any other soild bar IMHO.

Stihl ES bar to compare to.

I got around same price for this one. Rail wear is great.

 

[user 122190]

I'm not obsessed about weight, like most here, but yeah no real difference that I noticed.

 

[Jasonrkba]

I like the Forester stuff for the money.

 

[homemade]

24" 3/8 050 D025 stihl bar weight to compare. No different in weight of any other soild bar IMHO.

Stihl ES bar to compare to.

I got around same price for this one. Rail wear is great.

View attachment 936536
View attachment 936537

Fooled me…. It just seemed heavier. I never actually weighed them.


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[Pepster]

Thanks for the info guys!
I'll prolly go pick it up Monday.
I have plenty of "Testing Material" to try it out (on at least some of it anyway).
There's about 12' long of 16' circumference that's way above me of my saws paygrade.

 

[user 122190]

That tree is a perfect excuse to purchase a new bigger saw. Get an ms426 factory outfitted with a 32" B&C, then the 24" will be perfect compliment to the dual nature of the larger saws.

 

[Pepster]

That tree is a perfect excuse to purchase a new bigger saw. Get an ms426 factory outfitted with a 32" B&C, then the 24" will be perfect compliment to the dual nature of the larger saws.

462 is 72cc.
That's a Shindaiwa 68cc in the picture.
Your right, but when I move up, I'm going over 80cc's!

 

[Pepster]

I cut that whole tree back to what you see with a 18" 1995 model Craftsman 3.3 (54cc).
Timing advance, MM.
26 years old!

14 Rick's of wood cut to that point.
3 chains, 1 bar.
Got to the point, it was more than that saw could chew.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

462 is 72cc.
That's a Shindaiwa 68cc in the picture.
Your right, but when I move up, I'm going over 80cc's!

Forget those Grey and Orange things, might as well find a 288XP for the next step up- at least that can share bars with the Shindaiwa, the 24" will work well on both.

 

[Pepster]

Forget those Grey and Orange things, might as well find a 288XP for the next step up- at least that can share bars with the Shindaiwa, the 24" will work well on both.

I may actually do that after the first of 2022!
It's my "Grail Saw" (& 395xp).

 

[Pepster]

Forget those Grey and Orange things, might as well find a 288XP for the next step up- at least that can share bars with the Shindaiwa, the 24" will work well on both.

They are Black, not Grey...lol!
Black Saws Matter!

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

They are Black, not Grey...lol!
Black Saws Matter!
View attachment 937006

No- forget the Orange and Grey 462 step up as it is only a little step and a big divergence in bar mounts!

 

[Pepster]

Woodslasher DEFINITELY did me right on that 695!
BAD BOY!
I'm on board & planning on a upgrade after the first of the year!
LOVE that large Husky mount (D009)!

I'm gonna send Woodslasher a thank you gift!
Not much, but he will love it as much as I do the Shindaiwa 695!
Ran it all day today...
PERFECTION!

 

[tomalophicon]

Love those Shindaiwas. I have the little brother, the 577P.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

They are Black, not Grey...lol!
Black Saws Matter!
View attachment 937006

This wasnt even all of them. One I took in was NIB.

Think I started selling them off when reached 8.

 

[possum squat]

I picked up the yellow version of that 3.3 yesterday for 40 bucks. It's a 335 going to need new fuel lines and carb kit but otherwise looks good to go.

 

[Pepster]

Haven't tried it yet, but happy with the price!
New Stihl full chisel chain (SHARP as all get out!) & 24" bar, $75 out the door (taxes included).
Balances much better than I thought it would.
If I like it well enough, I'll prolly buy 2 more for other saws.

Thanks again for the help fellas...