Take a picture of the bar info. I can’t believe it’s .325 and .63. That doesn’t make sense. You should be running .325 and .50
Question on chain saw bar and chains
- Thread starter Winch
- Start date
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.325 pitch, 0.063 gauge was OEM standard on MS250 and MS260 series saws in the US for many years.
No one could tell me why.
Heard they went to .325, ,050 early this year?
Philbert
It is quite possible that your depth gauges ( raker as some call them ) are still too high. I have noticed of late that a lot of the various gauges are too deep and contact various sections of the vise preventing a proper reading. Its sneaky if not looking for this specifically. Mini and pico chains and some low pro also are the most affected by this. The reason I mention this is I had a devil of time with my Mikta corded electric saw and the low pro 3/8-.050 chain which I had sharpened on a grinder. Just would not cut correctly- discoverd the problem mention above. milled the sides of the gauges down so no more contact with vise areas - problem resolved( took off almost and 1/8") There also some gauges included with new grinders that are 1. too deep ( see above ) and 2. all three depth slots are the same even though the are stamped as being different ( my micrometers don't lie). The top plate of the gauges are not tapered internally or externally. ( I make my own gauges now days) Chris
Every last stihl I've come in contact with from the 260 on down to the 170/180 has either had .050 or .043 gauge chain on it. Driver size doesn't seem to matter. I think the gauge is more an area specific thing then stihl saying this is what you have to use.
Wheel question - answer- you may have to balance or dress it down to get to run true. those arbor holes are not what one would call prescision. I have had afew that were so bad the wheel blew before I even had a chance to true it up- exciting - shrapnel flying around.
OR -- ( WAIT for it) do like many of us here on AS---- Buy another saw that said chain will work on.
Wheel profile leads to cutter profiles, which gets personal and wonky.
That’s certainly a good starting profile.
*** Dress the wheel lightly, each loop of chain, to constantly expose fresh, clean abrasive. ***
In the Midwest, all the MS250 and MS260 series saws came stock with .325 / .063 chain. These were what we ran with several volunteer disaster response groups, going back 20 years, or more.
Dealers shrugged their shoulders; some would change, if asked, but note that .063 gauge replacement loops is what most dealers stocked.
Typical STIHL response was ‘never explain’.
Not a big deal to me, except when someone comes back with a chain that does not fit the saws we have.
Philbert
Interesting, not that its hard to get .063 here, but .050 is much more prevalent, at least in .325.
My cousins (Brothers) bought a new Stihl 034 (Roger) and CuzzenKEN liked it so much he bought a new 034 super when it came out. They both had .063 , .325 when new and still do. They are both gone now and I have both of their '34s. This was in the North part of Kansas City, MO
seen .325 in .058 as well just to stir the pot.
I’ve typically only seen 0.058 gauge on Husqvarna (and related, such as Poulan and Jonsered) saws.
Philbert
Colorado and Alaska ran mostly050, Texas was all 063
come to think of it they were husky chains as that customer runs all husky saws and chains
Piotr Pakuła
ArboristSite Guru
There were also RM Stihl chains, I don't know if they are still available
Oil delivery is likely.
You're separating very hard hardwoods from softer soft woods regionally it seems.
Rapid Micro is very popular.
I'm sure that was the case
