Switching MS260 over to 3/8" from .325

[mrk585]

I was going to switch ove rcompletly my saw is all stock and brand new I bought a exter bar and chain 3/8 I plan to run a 18 Inch bar for the most part would I be better of jest returning the 3/8 stuff and get the .325 stuff if so what chain would cut the bect what can I do to my saw to make it a Good saw "good o:help: :help: ver all saw "

 

[B_Turner]

I was going to switch ove rcompletly my saw is all stock and brand new I bought a exter bar and chain 3/8 I plan to run a 18 Inch bar for the most part would I be better of jest returning the 3/8 stuff and get the .325 stuff if so what chain would cut the bect what can I do to my saw to make it a Good saw "good o:help: :help: ver all saw "

If you are comfortable sharpening .325 (not that big a deal, just helps to have young eyes) and are going to run an 18 inch on a 260, you will see better performance using a .325 thin kerf (like Baileys sells for cheap, like the 20NK and arborpro bar) than using 3/8 round chisel or semi chisel.

My own 026 setup is a 16inch 3/8 that I use because the square grind gives me around 20percent better cutting. I want my small saws to scream through the wood, so I personally don't use it with a longer bar anymore. I grab a bigger saw.

 

[046]

that may be a better idea, less chain types to support the better.

359 already is 3/8 .50 and pulls it fine. in process of switching to square chisel on all 3/8. be interesting to see how 026 performs w/3/8 square.

From your signature, it looks like you'd want to run .325 on every thing except the 2 big stihls.

 

[sedanman]

be interesting to see how 026 performs w/3/8 square.

I'm thinking it will be like a Yugo with a lift kit and mudders.

 

[sawinredneck]

I'm thinking it will be like a Yugo with a lift kit and mudders.

Yeah, it'll get you there till you burn out the clutch!!!
Andy

 

[Lakeside53]

There's a lot of 026's running square out here with no clutch probelms (or mud lifters). Must be a West Coast thing...

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I was going to switch ove rcompletly my saw is all stock and brand new I bought a exter bar and chain 3/8 I plan to run a 18 Inch bar for the most part would I be better of jest returning the 3/8 stuff and get the .325 stuff if so what chain would cut the bect what can I do to my saw to make it a Good saw "good o:help: :help: ver all saw "

I assume you're talking about an 026 or 260 stihl, if so, it will work fine with either set up, but...it will cut smoother and faster with the .325.
I've had a couple 026s over the years and tried switching back and forth a half dozen times. It was always a little faster and smother with the .325. It also has nicer throttle response with the smaller chain.
You can also run a higher chain speed with the .325.
The best you can do with 3/8s on an 026 is a 7 tooth sprocket. If you go bigger, you'll have trouble keeping the RPMS up. But with .325 you can run a 9 tooth sprocket, which is a size bigger than a 7 tooth 3/8.
You'll also have more cutters in the wood,because there are more cutters per foot on .325 chain than on 3/8s chain.
The .325 cuts a thinner kerf, so each woodchip it bites out is smaller in width, but just as deep, so it takes less power to cut the same log.

To me, having a standard size chain is not a big deal. I much prefer a well cutting saw. If there's something to do to make my saw cut better, like changing chain size, I just do it. If you're running a chain just because you want to buy a spool of chain, that doesn't make sense, because loops can be had so cheap.

 

[sawinredneck]

There's a lot of 026's running square out here with no clutch probelms (or mud lifters). Must be a West Coast thing...

I could care less about the saw Lake, I am thinking of turning the 346 into 3/8, I was just reffering to the Yugo, or my better experiance, the "Samari" lifted with 33" tires, idiot thought it looked tough :deadhorse:
Andy

 

[sawinredneck]

I assume you're talking about an 026 or 260 stihl, if so, it will work fine with either set up, but...it will cut smoother and faster with the .325.
I've had a couple 026s over the years and tried switching back and forth a half dozen times. It was always a little faster and smother with the .325. It also has nicer throttle response with the smaller chain.
You can also run a higher chain speed with the .325.
The best you can do with 3/8s on an 026 is a 7 tooth sprocket. If you go bigger, you'll have trouble keeping the RPMS up. But with .325 you can run a 9 tooth sprocket, which is a size bigger than a 7 tooth 3/8.
You'll also have more cutters in the wood,because there are more cutters per foot on .325 chain than on 3/8s chain.
The .325 cuts a thinner kerf, so each woodchip it bites out is smaller in width, but just as deep, so it takes less power to cut the same log.

To me, having a standard size chain is not a big deal. I much prefer a well cutting saw. If there's something to do to make my saw cut better, like changing chain size, I just do it. If you're running a chain just because you want to buy a spool of chain, that doesn't make sense, because loops can be had so cheap.

Awsome post Mike, very informative and explains a lot without getting wordy like I tend to LOL!!!
Andy

 

[Lakeside53]

I could care less about the saw Lake, I am thinking of turning the 346 into 3/8, I was just reffering to the Yugo, or my better experiance, the "Samari" lifted with 33" tires, idiot thought it looked tough :deadhorse:
Andy

I hate it when cars get in the way of saws

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I'm thinking it will be like a Yugo with a lift kit and mudders.

My sister had a Yugo. Not with a lift kit or mudders, but one day she was driving down her driveway and the side door fell off. It didn't open up accidentally, it just fell off onto the road.
I don't know why I got such a kick out of that.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[highsiera]

Ever seen the movie Drowning Mona? For a few days after I wonderred where on earth they found that many working yugos....

 

[MikeInParadise]

Hmmmmmmm

I'm thinking it will be like a Yugo with a lift kit and mudders.

How about a land cruiser with a souped up 350 chevy with big old bridgestone mud duelers and a whole lotta uumph! Now that was a TOY!

Yup that is me driving in my young and foolish days!...(and no I did not make it through!)

I just couldn't resist!!!:biggrinbounce2:

 

[mrk585]

Bad Idea

Is this whole thing about switching a bad idea I want to run a 18 " bar and cut fast max size of logs are 17" most are 12" want a saw that is good for firewood I just know that both the bar and chin will fit my 036 with a 3/8 chain this way.

 

[MikeInParadise]

I think this is what you wan't.

part number 0000 642 1231 1 Rim sprocket 3/8" 7T

Yes siree that is the correct number!

I just picked this up and put it in this morning but I am not cutting wood today. I will be cutting in the next couple of days and will report how it works.

 

[Trigger-Time]

Yes siree that is the correct number!

I just picked this up and put it in this morning but I am not cutting wood today. I will be cutting in the next couple of days and will report how it works.

Mike, If you wan't to make your 260 cut quicker the saw to be lighter
and more nimble, go order a stihl bar part number 3003 000 6313 and
rim sprocket 0000 642 1240, this is what you need to run the 3/8 Picco
I have only run 3 tanks through my 026 with the Picco B/C, in both
soft and hard wood (Eastern Red Ceder & Post Oak) I will need to use
it more to see how the chain will hold up, but in those 3 tanks a file
has'nt touched the chain yet. I can't believe how fast and smooth
the Picco cuts, I guess it get it's speed and smoothness from the
small kerf. No joke this Picco cuts like magic. On the sleeve the bar
came in it only list this bar for the 024,026,240 and 260.

Now here is where some of you, or maybe all of you will laugh at me.
No timed cuts, and not using the dogs just letting the saw do the
cutting on 8" dia Post Oak. Speed wise it will cut right with my
361 with 3/8 .063 RM chain, and both chains where brand new.

 

[MikeInParadise]

Results

Ok I have left the 20" bar with 3/8 chain on the MS260 pro and cut for 3 days this last week and here is my impressions.

First I love the extra 4" and not having to bend over further for brushing and cutting up the smaller stuff.

The 260 sure loses some of its omph with this combination. I sliced a few stumps in half with the 20 inch bar buried in them and I had to baby the 260 a bit whereas with the 16" .325 I have been able to just go at it. Now I am not sure if this is the 20" or the .325 to 3/8 but is probably a combination of both.

The bailey's wood pro chain sure doesn't seem to hold it's edge as well the the Stihl RS that I have been using.

If I was bucking lots of hardwood I would be unhappy with the 20" 3/8 combination. For my needs it will work ok for when I want to use it to get that extra length and well worth the $11 for the rim sprocket.

EDIT: Oh yeah the 20" doesn't balance on the 260 as well as the 16 inch bar, the saw feel perfect with a 16" bar and a bit front heavy with the 20" bar.

 

[Pablo26]

3/8 picco on an 026, huh? Interesting concept! So, you think it is superior to .325 RS on a 16" bar?

 

[Trigger-Time]

3/8 picco on an 026, huh? Interesting concept! So, you think it is superior to .325 RS on a 16" bar?

I like it better, But only time will tell as like how long the
chain will last. With the way it cuts I can put up
with a shorter chain life.