Stihl 034 bar and chain question

[Hawkshaw]

I have a Stihl 034 AV with a 20 inch bar. The bar is about 20 years old. I flatten the edge periodically with a flat file. I went to buy a chain today and I am confused. I have a Stihl bar (20 inch) with a roller tip. My drive sprocket is 3/8. I have no idea if the bar slot is 0.5 or 0.63. Can you run a .5 chain on a .63 bar? Based on my guess using a spark plug gauge I think it's a .63. There is not a single mark or number on it.

If I get a new bar should I get a blunt nose or another roller tip. I cut firewood and do hobby farm stuff.

Thanks in advance,
Hawk

 

[pioneerguy600]

Its best to match the gauge of chain to the bar, running 0.50 chain in a 0.63 channel will be real sloppy. The cutters will be able to tip out so far the edge of the bar rail will likely catch in the kerf and hang up the bar. The sprocket nosed bars are used most often in clean conditions as they require less hp to turn the chain around the bar tip but a hard nose bar will last longer cutting in dirty conditions.

 

[CR888]

If its a Stihl bar it should have some numbers on it down near the bar mount. Look closely as the can be tricky to see. Post what you find. It should have all the details but if you can only read the part no, that'll do.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

On our 034 AV, the chain is 0.050" (50 gauge). I don't recall seeing any markings near the base either (like newer bars), but the bar is 30 years old and most of the paint is worn off. Take a look at the chain, its usually marked on the drivers or links. It'll help identify the chain size as well.

I'll say one thing, the chain has a lot of slop side-to-side on our 034 bar... it would fail the clearance check w/ straightedge. Even our newer MS192 is similar. OTOH, my CS-590 has very little side slop. I've heard that even with new B&C, Stihls are a little "sloppy". Some guys will also run a large gauge chain in a worn bar.