When to replace bar and sprocket?

[Blowdown1]

How do you guys judge when the bar and sprocket need to be replaced?

At what point does dressing the rails no longer cut it (no pun intended)?

Finally, I have a laminated 20" bar that is very slightly bent (only noticed when sighting down itWhile I was dressing it the other day). Should I ditch it or just keep using it? I have an 18" GB coming, but I want to keep a 20" for most of my bucking work.

 

[Lawn Masters]

I have a few worn out rims I could send you. I would take pics, but my camera sucks BIGTIME. I dont know about the bar rails, but someone here can tell you about that.

 

[rubberducky]

Until she stops cuttin.

 

[clearance]

Bar is bent-chuck it.

 

[tony marks]

what rubber ducky said. if the bars shot ,she just gonna cut junky.. as to sprockets. if u use it regular . look for unusual wear ,that may indicate bad chain combinations. different types and brands of chain can actuially be different size ,even if the are supopose to be standard 3/8 or .325. oregon power matches sometimes dont really fit stihl saws so well.. everything should be smooth.normal wear is pretty obviouse ,if shes showing wear just replace the sprocket . not like they cost a lot. this can make it easier on the saw.

 

[Lawn Masters]

if shes showing wear just replace the sprocket . not like they cost a lot. this can make it easier on the saw.

This is assuming that its a rim sprocket.

 

[tony marks]

agreed

 

[WRW]

For a slight bend in the bar, I would bend it back. That is...if the drive links are not bottoming out in the groove and the rails are not worn excessively to where a new chain has a lot of sideways slop.

For the sprocket, if it is showing signs of wear, replace it when you buy new chains. Chains and sprockets get changed out together. You are talking about the drive sprocket, aren't you?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Bar is bent-chuck it.

Why?

 

[Blowdown1]

Thanks all. Bar bend is slight. I only noticed it when sighting down the bar after dressing the rails. I haven't tried measuring it, but it is pretty minimal. It is the stock laminated Husqvarna bar and I have a solid GB coming. It seems to cut fine, doesn't wander or cut crooked. I tried bending it back but it didn't do anything. I suppose I could lean on it a bit more.

As for the sprocket, it looks fine right now. I'm not looking forward to removing it since it is on a 359 w/ an inboard sprocket and I'll have to buy the tool or rig one up w/ an old socket to get the clutch off. I may just take it to the shop and have thm give a once over anyway once it is time to replace the sprocket.

thanks again.