Talk me out of .404

[wap13]

I need to get a 36" bar for my 395, been putting it off for a while. I usually grab a 462 or 500i for normal cutting but I dont see myself using the 395 a lot other than stumping and I dont do that often at all.

I have only ever used .325 and .375 but it is my understanding the .404 will hold up better in general but especially in dirty conditions.

Seems to me .404, 395 and stumping were made for each other but maybe I'm missing something.

What say you OPE? Put on my big boy pants and step up to .404 or stick with the 3/8s I run on all my other saws?

If it matters I have a 661 I keep a 32" bar and 3/8s chain on. I got the 395 just because they are soon to be NLA and I've never owned one.

I'm also just a weekend warrior who likes saws. Nothing even close the realm of professional use.

 

[Basher]

+1 for .404

 

[davidwyby]

.404 is tough!

 

[PA Dan]

I also just got a 395 for the same reasons. I bought a 28" Husky light bar in 3/8" .050 for it. I have a 36" .404 bar that I'll run on it for big cutting and stumping. I'd go .404 if I was you!

 

[Maintenance Chief]

My 394xp wears a 36" with a full comp .404 chain and it's perfect together.
Honestly why not run .404 if your just a weekend warrior? After all variety is the spice of life.
I like to mess around with all kinds of chain ,kind of separating fact from fiction.
I like to use a semi-chisel skip tooth .404 for stumping , less teeth to sharpen and will take a ton of abuse.

 

[Backtroller]

.404 lasts a long time before sharpening. The semi isn’t the fastest but it cuts a long, long time

 

[davidwyby]

404 Raisman semi ate a big old school nail and only needed normal sharpening

 

[LoneOak]

.404= really BIG CHIPS!!! +1

 

[sawmikaze]

The fact you won't use it much is all the justification you need not to buy it.

I run it on my 088 and that's only here and there, I seldom cut trees big enough to require it.

I've only cut 2 or 3 in the last few months worthy of it, the one in my avatar was just one of the few this year.

 

[farminkarman]

I tend to agree with sawmikaze here. 3/8 will do everything you need on a 395 platform. If you really want to give .404 a try, go for it…that being said, I have been finding myself trying to get as much stuff down to running 3/8’s because that is the pitch I keep in stock.

 

[deye223]

Nothing like the right tool for the job 404 is all I use even on the 460 now if you want a 404 chain for durability cough up and buy the stihl semi chisel 404

 

[sawmikaze]

Nothing like the right tool for the job 404 is all I use even on the 460 now if you want a 404 chain for durability cough up and buy the stihl semi chisel 404

He doesn't cut your trees. Or frequently...

 

[sawmikaze]

I tend to agree with sawmikaze here. 3/8 will do everything you need on a 395 platform. If you really want to give .404 a try, go for it…that being said, I have been finding myself trying to get as much stuff down to running 3/8’s because that is the pitch I keep in stock.

I lose perspective sometimes and forget this is like playing barbies with chainsaws.

 

[Cat 525]

Kickback is a whole different ballgame with 404!

 

[bradb123]

I use 404 on my 395 . I cut a lot of dirty wood . It stays sharper much longer .

 

[huskyboy]

I cut through a steel cable this weekend and didn’t even notice it till the end of the cut. Touched it up and back in business. Ported 395 running 42” .404 full comp raisman semi chisel. I rarely use that particular saw since most of my work does not require it… but when I do I mill and stump with that setup. It makes short work of those tasks. Not the fastest chain, but very tough and easy to file. 32-36” .404 skip would be a great pair to a stock 395.

 

[wap13]

Thanks for the input. Not quite a clear cut (no pun intended) as I would have expected.

 

[av8or3]

Go with the .404!

 

[Maintenance Chief]

This is for the guys just playing with chainsaws, remember boots are for slow guys who can't keep their feet out of the way of the chain! Haha.
The guys in this village probably built their entire lives around this one peice of equipment, I often am grateful to have the luxury of not being completely reliant on this model of society.
I never forget that I have it good in America.

 

[Tim N]

I didn't know a Husqvarna would pull .404 chain.
That should ruffle some feathers