recommendations for bar/chain combo for 660 & CSM

[gemniii]

Finally "won" a 660 off ebay. No bar or chain. Don't know the sprocket yet but will change if needed. Prime use is CSM.
I was running my JD CS62 w/ a 28" bar and a 36" Mark III and knew I needed something with more HP, but the 28" length was fine for my wood.
Planning on getting a 42" bar eventually, but do not see a need for one yet.
I've got 4 sets of Woodland Pro 3/8 0.50 28" 92 link ripping chain, but with my breaker/spinner hopefully I can easily resize for length if I want to.

So - group think recommendations -
Get a 28" 3/8 0.50 bar and drop a link?
Go whole hog for a 42" bar?

Or other?
/edit - seller just got back to me - wrote "it's set up for 3/8 pitch 50 guage" so I'll probably go with a 28", 3/8", 0.50.

 

[mtngun]

Congratulations on your "win". Seriously, I hope the 660 works out for you. Ebay saws are always a bit of gamble, but I've picked up some good deals there.

Your 660 will run a 3/8" rim sprocket, which will work with any gage, 0.050 or 0.058 or 0.063.

Here's where you need to make the tough decision -- which gage bar should you go with ? Here's how I see it:

0.050" gage -- gives you the option of running either lo-pro or regular 3/8 chain. 0.050" seems to be gaining popularity while the other gages seem to be slowly fading, though they'll be around for quite a while.

0.058" gage -- this is Husky's pride and joy.

0.063" gage -- at one time most big Stihls ran 0.063". You will find more big (36"+) milling bars available in this gage than in 0.050". A LOT more.

I started out with an 0.063" bars because it was the most popular bar. Now I am gradually switching everything over to 0.050" so I will have the option to run lo-pro. There is no downside to 0.050" except you may have to look a little harder to find your bar (and don't overlook ebay for bars).

As for your length, that will be dictated by your logs. I'm happy with 36" and don't need a bigger bar for my logs. A longer bar is more expensive, requires more chain which is more expensive, and has more friction, so I'm not going to run any longer than necessary.

 

[huskyhank]

I'm moving all my big saw chain to .063/.375 to keep it all the same, to re-use damaged long chains on shorter bars and I think that .063 is a bit tougher. 42", 32", 24" all .063/.375

Just my opinion.

 

[excess650]

I have a 36" Alaskan and run the 36" Stihl 3/8 .050" bar most of the time. There have been occasions when a 42" would have been nice to have, but the 30" width handles most of my needs.

A 28" would be lighter and handier for smaller wood.

My 066BB has been mostly dedicated to milling, so the bark dogs have been removed for the little extra length it allows. My 660 is the backup saw for milling, trimming for the bandmill, and general large wood cutting. It has big bark dogs and a 32" B&C.

 

[gemniii]

Well just as I was going to send the seller an email asking him to let me know when he put it in the mail it arrived. Fueled an oiled fired up fine. Only immediate "problem" is the gas cap doesn't have that little plastic T any more, same as my 021.
Went to the local Stihl dealer (Belmont Equipment) bought a 28", 0.50, bar and 91 links of RSC (yellow). That's the only 3/8 0.50 they carried.
Came back and assembled, dry tested, seemed fine. Dropped the chain in oil for an hour to soak. Tried the 92 link Woodland Pro Ripping chain, it fit with some adjustment left, about the same as it fit on my JD CS62.
After reassembling the 660 w/ oiled chain, fired it up and WITHOUT PPE other than glasses laid it down on a firewood log (outside) and it fell right thru.

Think I've about completed my 4 saw plan. Think I'll be happy not to have gotten the 460 I looked at JUST before I won the JD.

Now I'm beginning to look at trees like they are standing lumber.

Now I need a bargain on a 42" bar.