Hardnose Bar

[littlejoetqt]

Hey, I have a question. My boss screwed around and bought a hardnose bar accidentally. It's an Oregon laser-lite, as opposed to the pro-lite bars he usually gets. He wants to find a use for it, but we do a lot of plunge cutting(when I cut an open face notch, I tend to plunge cut the lower cut, then outward to remove the notch. it's much easier on me than pulling upward). I do cut quite a few hard leaners and large trees that require a bore. We also sometimes get into some hard(sugar) maple and a lot of hickory, and I'm a little afraid of not having a roller out there on the end of the saw.

Anyhow, are my fears warranted? My bar's currently fine, but we have 3 cutters and 2 of us, including me, are not real experienced. He tends to go through bars a little prematurely, and I don't want to see him using something that's going to cause him trouble. It's dangerous enough out there with the right equipment, much less something inappropriate for the task.

Thanks!

 

[oscar4883]

You will be fine. Just run your chain slightly looser than you would for a roller/sprocket nose bar.

 

[rarefish383]

I have 4 bars, for 2 100 cc saws, that are about 40 years old. I have 2 each of 36" and 24" for my two Homelite 1050's. Three of the bars are hard nose and 1 roller. These 2 saws were used for commercial serice for over 20 years, and when my dad retired, I dogged on them milling. Proper tension and lots of oil and I really don't know how you can not get years of service from a bar.I definatly prefered the days when you could get a swa with auto and manual oilers. I like to go through a full tank of oil per tank of gas. good luck, Joe.