Narrow kerf bars

[SouthernLA]

Yes, I searched. I am considering 20nk for my Solo 650. Must I run the Arborpro bar that Bailey's suggests. Is the Oregon Power Match Plus bar too wide? I just dig the price of the 20nk!

 

[Butch(OH)]

I am pretty sure that the 20NK is real close to the same as Oregon's 95VP. If so it will work good enough on a STD bar to see if you like the way it cuts, I am running it on a Oregon powermatch on my 400Echo. It does pinch easily on a STD bar if you dont take extra care to start your cuts straight. On my 112 Dolmar I am running the same chain and the recomended Micro-Lite bar. I see no differance in cutting but the lighter weight bars are the way to go for ease of use.

 

[slipknot]

MY experience with this bar & chain combo.... I think bailey's/carlton NK bar & chain SUCK! It might be a little quicker, but it also wears out a lot quicker, bends way to easy, and the sprocket bearing is weak. STAY with oregon! There was a guy on this site, he kept breaking teeth off bailey's NK chain which is actually carlton. I thought he was crazy till it happened to me. Bailey's is a good name why would they sell junk like that!

 

[SawTroll]

Yes, I searched. I am considering 20nk for my Solo 650. Must I run the Arborpro bar that Bailey's suggests. ...

There was a tread recently about 20NK vs. Oregon 95VP - take a close look at that one before you decide.

I use the 95VP and like it a lot - fast and smooth on the Husky 353.
The 95Vp is a low-vibe chain, the 20NK is not...

There are some debate whether the NK chain can be used successfully on a standard bar. I seriously doubt that it will work good on a replaceable nose bar like the Power Match - maybe when the chain is new, but not when it is filed back some, and the kerf is getting even narrower.
The correct Oregon bar for .325 NK chain is the Micro-Lite Pro.

 

[SouthernLA]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm gonna try a loop and see how it goes. I was ordering a couple rim sprokets and thought what the heck. If it binds too easy I'll try something else. The saw has plenty of power to run regular .325 maybe even 3/8" if I don't bury the whole 20" bar.

 

[SWE#Kipp]

Stretch

Troll whats your experience with 95VP and chain stretch ??

 

[SawTroll]

Troll whats your experience with 95VP and chain stretch ??

Non-issue as long as you don't over-tighten it, or give it too little oil.

 

[SWE#Kipp]

95vp

well i guess i have to test it, have a clearcut to do for a farmer ,,,,,
346xpg 13" NK 95VP should be a nice tool for the job

 

[Lawn Masters]

I run a 16" NK bar and chain on my 024, it hasnt been used much, but what little use I have given it, its impressed me.

 

[SawTroll]

well i guess i have to test it, have a clearcut to do for a farmer ,,,,,
346xpg 13" NK 95VP should be a nice tool for the job

It sure should, but I would have preferred a 15" bar.:greenchainsaw:

I find the 13" bars, that are standard on the (+/-) 3 cube saws in Sweden and Norway, just too stubby and light for the best balance, regardless how small the wood is.

The 13" bar that came on my 353 was used the first few months after the saw was new, but after I got the 15" one it has seen Zero use - except beeing there as a back-up.

 

[SWE#Kipp]

15"

Troll I agree with you on the balance thing, just think its boring to file the chain the shorter the better

 

[SouthernLA]

20NK runs fine on an Oregon bar. Not any faster than Oregon .325 though.

 

[zemmo]

Rion at Bailey's says that the 20nk is fine on any laminated .325 bar, but that the solid bars are thicker and may get stuck in kerf.

 

[blis]

It sure should, but I would have preferred a 15" bar.:greenchainsaw:

I find the 13" bars, that are standard on the (+/-) 3 cube saws in Sweden and Norway, just too stubby and light for the best balance, regardless how small the wood is.

The 13" bar that came on my 353 was used the first few months after the saw was new, but after I got the 15" one it has seen Zero use - except beeing there as a back-up.

Never tried 15" on my saw, might be worth trying someday...

btw, doesnt the original bar suck badly, i mean, after 30 tanks my bar looks like toast...

 

[Brushwacker]

MY experience with this bar & chain combo.... I think bailey's/carlton NK bar & chain SUCK! It might be a little quicker, but it also wears out a lot quicker, bends way to easy, and the sprocket bearing is weak. STAY with oregon! There was a guy on this site, he kept breaking teeth off bailey's NK chain which is actually carlton. I thought he was crazy till it happened to me. Bailey's is a good name why would they sell junk like that!

My experiance also.Mabe it holds up in softwood, but I had problems with broken teeth also in these IN hardwoods.

 

[SawTroll]

... btw, doesnt the original bar suck badly, i mean, after 30 tanks my bar looks like toast...

Yep for appearance, but they still will work perfectly for a long time, provided proper maintanance (key word, raker file). :biggrinbounce2:

Btw, I don't think the US NK Husky bars are the same, they are probably rebadged Oregon Micro-Light pros, but ours are made in Norway. In my experience, Oregons loose their paint even faster, and are heavier.

 

[SawTroll]

My experiance also.Mabe it holds up in softwood, but I had problems with broken teeth also in these IN hardwoods.

I have heard of that before, and believe that the Oregon 95VP/Husky H30/Jonsered S30 is a better chain.......

 

[Trigger-Time]

I have not tried the others, but I sure do like the
Stihl 3/8 63PM Picco on my 026