Wanna talk some more about NK chains?

Butch(OH) · Jul 21, 2005

Don't ask me why but I like to both use and play around with my small saws, maybe has to do with 49 years and stiff back? The big stuff I find satisfying as is and stock but I have rodded and toyed with all of my small displacement stuff. I am now ready to try narrow kerf chains/bars. Most of my small saws are running 3/8 chain. Stihl sells a narrow kerf chain that is 3/8, the Oregon and Woodsman NK chains are .325. I have to buy mini bars to use either one. Is the 325 going to be enough faster than the Stihl .375 to justify locating .325 sprokets or rims? Opinions?

Lawn Masters · Jul 21, 2005

I doubt you'll be able to switch to .325 for your Macs other than the 610 if it has a rim sprocket. the Poulan 2050, Stihl 210, and echo 400 can all be swapped to .325 chain easily.

dneiger · Jul 21, 2005

Butch,
If you are running 3/8 lo pro chain now see if you can find a loop of Carlton N1c it is very fast and holds up well. If you cannot find any PM me and I will see what I can do.
Dave

Max · Jul 21, 2005

95VP is hard to beat!

Cuts smooth and quick.

Give some a try.

brent denny · Jul 21, 2005

Yes, the 95vp is great. In not sure that the 3/8 lo pro narrow kerf stuff would hold up very well on a mid size saw. Probably best for saws under 40 cc's. I have done lots of cutting (hardwood) with the narrow kerf .325 and have never had a problem. I think you will find on most any saw in the 40-50 cc class, 95vp or 20nk will be the fastest cutting .325 chain you will find. This excludes square ground , as I have never tried it. Modified saws would probably be a whole different ball game.

Butch(OH) · Jul 21, 2005

Guess I should have said which saws I am thinking about converting first, sry. The 210 Stihl, it is runing the std issue .375 Stihl Picco now. And the 400 Echo which I just got and installed some .325 X .050 Stihl (all I could find local) The Stihl chain is a real wide kerf and it makes the 400 a dog in the cut. A whole lot of our cutting is in fence rows just keeping the darned things trimmed back out of the fields so the mini saws get run a lot, lots more than the 610, 036 and 660.
Thought I would try these two with NK chain for improved performance and then convert the rest of our mini saws to the same so I could buy chain by the roll instead of 4 different models of loops?

tony marks · Jul 21, 2005

ill second the 95vp recommendation. ive used the 3/8 low pro and it works fine. but didnt get my attention like the 95 vp did.i run it on my 026 modded saw. im very satisfied with all aspects of this chain.