Gauge?

[djg james]

Probably already covered somewhere. Is there any advantage to staying with the 0.043 gauge 14" B&C that came with my Stihl MS 170? Seems the 0.050 gauge B&C are cheaper and more available.

Likewise for my Stihl 038. 20" 0.063 B&C (stock) vs. 0.050 gauge B&C (replacement).

 

[computeruser]

The .043 chain has cutters that are smaller in width, as is the bar itself, compared to the .050 3/8” low profile setup. Less load on the saw due to smaller bites being taken per cutter. On a low power saw like that, this makes a difference in cutting speed.

Regular 3/8” .050, .058, and .063 use the same size cutter and same actual thickness of bar. So no difference for your 038. Some argument can be made for .063 carrying more oil down the bar groove, especially where the drive links have a drilled hole in them, as Stihl does with its .063 chain. But at 20” bar length I don’t see that making any practical difference.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I took that crap 043 picco 3/8LP oem stock chain, b+c off a 180 I was giving my dad and put 050 picco 3/8LP b+c on it for better chain selection. The saw IMHO cut so much better with better chains.

I think your 170 would like 63PS 63PS3 too.

 

[djg james]

I took that crap 043 picco 3/8LP oem stock chain, b+c off a 180 I was giving my dad and put 050 picco 3/8LP b+c on it for better chain selection. The saw IMHO cut so much better with better chains.

I think your 170 would like 63PS 63PS3 too.

I too, don't like them. The cutters seem too fragile and I have too many broken teeth.

I bought this thinking it was a replacement for the 0.043 setup:
https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/o...0-050-gauge-3-8-in-low-profile-chain/p/105667
Is this what you are talking about?

I thought it was a 0.043 gauge so I put one of my 0.043 chains on it instead of using the one that came with the bar. Ran it for a while until I realized it was a wrong match, so I probably damaged the groove. Plus I bent the bar a little. I'm going to try and straighten it. But at $20 for a B&C it's probably best just to get another one.

 

[djg james]

The .043 chain has cutters that are smaller in width, as is the bar itself, compared to the .050 3/8” low profile setup. Less load on the saw due to smaller bites being taken per cutter. On a low power saw like that, this makes a difference in cutting speed.

Regular 3/8” .050, .058, and .063 use the same size cutter and same actual thickness of bar. So no difference for your 038. Some argument can be made for .063 carrying more oil down the bar groove, especially where the drive links have a drilled hole in them, as Stihl does with its .063 chain. But at 20” bar length I don’t see that making any practical difference.

That makes sense. Does this setup have the same tooth width as a 0.043?
https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/o...0-050-gauge-3-8-in-low-profile-chain/p/105667
P.S. I was thinking of replacing my 20" 0.063 bar when it wears out with the 0.050 20" setup. I have a Stihl 046 project saw that I will want to get a 28" B&C for. Would you stick with a 0.063 or go with a 0.050 setup? I will be doing a little light milling with this saw, too, so I don't know if ripping chains come in a 0.050 gauge or not. Or even if it's recommended.