MS250 chain question

[zemmo]

The saw chain links on the stihl site don't seem to be working for me. I have to sharpen a friend's chain tomorrow, it's the stock chain on his 250. It has bumper links on the tie straps, but it's not here so I don't know if it's Picco 3/8 or .325. I hope to be able to tell when I look at it.What angles should I set the grinder for with a 1/8" wheel? Are the angles different 3/8 vs .325?Any other tips? Thanks in advance.

 

[TimberPig]

Here you go

Stihl Chain Maintenance Manual

 

[zemmo]

Here you go

Stihl Chain Maintenance Manual

Thanks, Timberpig: I looked at that doc, and it doesn't give much except for the round file size, which I notice is different on Picco 3/8 and .325. I just can't find a chart to show angles, which is so easy to do with Carlton or Oregon. I guess I'll just have to eyeball the settings on the grinder.

 

[TimberPig]

Funny, I thought I remembered there being an angle chart in there.

It should be .325 chain, which should be 30 degree top plate with a 60 degree inside topplate for chisel, 85 degree inside topplate for semichisel. No handle tilt for either.

 

[zemmo]

Funny, I thought I remembered there being an angle chart in there.

It should be .325 chain, which should be 30 degree top plate with a 60 degree inside topplate for chisel, 85 degree inside topplate for semichisel. No handle tilt for either.

Thanks again. Apparently the 250 could come with either low-pro 3/8 or .325. You think anything would be different with the low-pro?

 

[TimberPig]

Not sure on the angles for LP, I don't work with anything that small myself. They should be the same I would think, but I can't say for sure. If a person is running LP on an 025, they're wasting a lot of good cutting power they could be enjoying with.325 instead though.

 

[zemmo]

Not sure on the angles for LP, I don't work with anything that small myself. They should be the same I would think, but I can't say for sure. If a person is running LP on an 025, they're wasting a lot of good cutting power they could be enjoying with.325 instead though.

I tried to get him a narrow kerf .325 set up, but there are no aftermarket bars available for the mini-stihl mount, that I could find, anyway. And he wonders why my 350 cuts rings around his saw, sigh...

 

[Bermie]

To find out which pitch chain you have, look very closely near the bottom of the depth gauge (raker), on the outside face there will be a number stamped into the metal. It is VERY small so clean it off and look real close! .325 pitch will be stamped .325 and 3/8 picco will be stamped with a P.

Top and side plate angles are the same for 3/8P and .325. Just make sure you know if its chisel (RS) or semi chisel (RM) chain because that will change the side plate angle as Timberpig said.
RS semichisel has a rounded outside profile, while the RS chisel chain has a sharp angular outside profile.

PS: my 250 came with .325 chain, only my 021 and 020t have 3/8P.

 

[TimberPig]

Actually, Oregon does make a Micro-Lite bar for that saw, to combine with 95VP, at least according to their site they do.

 

[zemmo]

Actually, Oregon does make a Micro-Lite bar for that saw, to combine with 95VP, at least according to their site they do.

Thanks, Bermie and Timberpig: I'm pretty sure it's not chisel, and I'm not worried about the side plate angle. The 1/8 grinding wheel should work in low-pro OR .325, so I should be set except for the top plate angles, which I guess I'll go 30/60. I've been using 35/60 on my 20nk, that's what Carlton recommends and it looks right. And I'll take the depth gauges down as well.

I called Bailey's and they didn't have a bar for it, so I gave up.

 

[Bermie]

If its not chisel then its 30/85, and the depth gauge clearance is 0.65mm (not sure what that is in imperial)

 

[zemmo]

If its not chisel then its 30/85, and the depth gauge clearance is 0.65mm (not sure what that is in imperial)

Hey, Bermie, I remember seeing some amazing photos you posted, of some big tropical tree up against a stone wall or something, with buttresses cut off everywhere, et al. Do you remember what thread that was, that one photo kind of stuck in my head as being cool.

 

[Bowtie]

Not sure on the angles for LP, I don't work with anything that small myself. They should be the same I would think, but I can't say for sure. If a person is running LP on an 025, they're wasting a lot of good cutting power they could be enjoying with.325 instead though.

Timberpig has me wondering if I was to switch to a .325 setup with a 20 inch bar on my 034 av would be a good idea. Currently Im using a 20 inch 3\8 setup using Carlton chains. Hell, maybe 3\8 is right for the saw. Im always looking for more power.

 

[zemmo]

Timberpig has me wondering if I was to switch to a .325 setup with a 20 inch bar on my 034 av would be a good idea. Currently Im using a 20 inch 3\8 setup using Carlton chains. Hell, maybe 3\8 is right for the saw. Im always looking for more power.

He's talking about .325 outcutting low profile 3/8, not "real" 3/8.

 

[TimberPig]

If its not chisel then its 30/85, and the depth gauge clearance is 0.65mm (not sure what that is in imperial)

0.65mm=0.025" for the depth gauge setting.

As to the issue of .325" vs 3/8" on an 034, they are very close, many feel that .325" is faster until you get to 60cc, but I haven't really compared myself so I can't offer much of an opinion on that. The wood type and size will make some difference, but the differences may not be very large between the two pitches. Personally I run all 3/8", but I am cutting softwood almost exclusively, and don't run saws that match up well with .325" chain.

 

[Diesel JD]

Oregon does make the Micro Lite bars for an 025 and Carlton also has some bars for the 025/250. If it has bumper tie straps its almost for sure .325 RM2. It outcut my McCulloch and Homies with Low Profile but that's before I was spoiled by pro saw chain. I think .325 RSC or if you want a low kick chain RSC3 is just right for that saw on a 16 or 18" bar.

 

[SawTroll]

Actually, Oregon does make a Micro-Lite bar for that saw, to combine with 95VP, at least according to their site they do.

You are right, but it has to be quite newly introduced.

Maybe they have been reading Arboristsite, and seen that there are a market for it!



The NK bars they had for the small Stihl mount the last time I checked, was 3/8 Lo-pro, .043.....

...and that wasn't too long ago.

 

[Bermie]

Hey, Bermie, I remember seeing some amazing photos you posted, of some big tropical tree up against a stone wall or something, with buttresses cut off everywhere, et al. Do you remember what thread that was, that one photo kind of stuck in my head as being cool.

Ummm...I think those pics are posted in the women with chainsaw thread in this forum. I dunno about cool...it was a stinky hot day!