Let’s Talk 404

RI Chevy · Oct 19, 2018

Nice. You hand file square that chain?
What kind of rim sprocket is that?

Willard · Oct 19, 2018

RI Chevy said:
Nice. You hand file square that chain?
What kind of rim sprocket is that?

Yep hand file it, easy enough to do as the chain is already square ground chisel bit.
This chain from the 1970's has good consistent angles and a hell of a good honed edge right off the roll. Not like the un consistent cutter lengths etc. chain of today.

That's a Oregon 8 tooth .404 rim sprocket.

RI Chevy · Oct 19, 2018

Wow. They had square ground chain back in the 70's? I'm impressed.

Willard · Oct 19, 2018

RI Chevy said:
Wow. They had square ground chain back in the 70's? I'm impressed.

There's been square ground chain alot earlier then the 1970's

RI Chevy · Oct 19, 2018

Interesting. I never ever knew that. I thought it was fairly a new concept.

Willard · Oct 19, 2018

RI Chevy said:
Interesting. I never ever knew that. I thought it was fairly a new concept.

Chisel bit goes back to the 1950's.

RI Chevy · Oct 19, 2018

Cool. Never knew any of this.

morewood · Oct 20, 2018

Got the chain from Madsens...27ax. I believe the saw could pull this cutter on full comp 36". Any way, going to need a longer bar for this oddball stuff, anybody know of a 50"+ ?

Mr Awesome

I can't afford a Cannon, not used enough to justify.

Wilhelm · Dec 9, 2018

Dolmar PS-7900 & 65DL/20" .404" round tooth B&C setup

RonL · Dec 9, 2018

I use .404 semi on a 32" Cannon Superbar plus on my 660 when I am cutting up deadfalls and other crap. Lasts much longer.

ferris · Dec 10, 2018

Wilhelm said:
Dolmar PS-7900 & 65DL/20" .404" round tooth B&C setup

Do you feel That the saw had to work much harder compared to 3/8?

deye223 · Dec 10, 2018

In our Aussie hard woods they do but it is more than worth it for how much longer it stays sharp ....... I would like stihl to bring out a 3/8 chain with 404 size cutters .

CR888 · Dec 10, 2018

Willard said:
Yep hand file it, easy enough to do as the chain is already square ground chisel bit.
This chain from the 1970's has good consistent angles and a hell of a good honed edge right off the roll. Not like the un consistent cutter lengths etc. chain of today.

That's a Oregon 8 tooth .404 rim sprocket.

I think there is a lot of truth to older chain being higher quality, not necessarily 'better' but it just appears more care was taken during its assembly, manufacture & factory grind. Perhaps today the top tier chain producers have so many cheap Asian imports to compete with, it don't help. But this is a trend that has happened with many products. I suppose though today consumers are better of in general buying chain though.

Willard · Dec 10, 2018

deye223 said:
In our Aussie hard woods they do but it is more than worth it for how much longer it stays sharp ....... I would like stihl to bring out a 3/8 chain with 404 size cutters .

Not sure about Stihl chain but about 10 years ago Oregon made a 3/8" chisel chain with heavier cutters like a .404 chain.

Was intended to cut a wider kerf in oversized softwood like cedar and fir.

Wilhelm · Dec 10, 2018

ferris said:
Do you feel That the saw had to work much harder compared to 3/8?

Yes, the PH is pulled down much more than with a very aggressive 3/8" chisel tooth same bar length same wood species.
But honestly, it could be due to the .404" being round tooth.

Getting a chisel tooth .404" for comparison would shed some light on this matter.

Homemade · Dec 10, 2018

So, why is .404 pretty much only in .063 gauge? I run everything 3/8 .050 and was thinking of converting a 20” bar (seeing how I have several) to .404 by changing the tip. This would be for playing with and having a super durable chain for stumping. But I can’t find hardly and .404 in .050 gauge.

I already have a bar in .404 x .058,and trying to find a chain for that is like looking for 1/2” pitch chain.

deye223 · Dec 10, 2018

Wilhelm said:
Yes, the PH is pulled down much more than with a very aggressive 3/8" chisel tooth same bar length same wood species.
But honestly, it could be due to the .404" being round tooth.

Getting a chisel tooth .404" for comparison would shed some light on this matter.

I tried a chisel 404 chain and it loads the saw even more as the Kerr is wider just wait till see how big the cutters are .

huskihl · Dec 11, 2018

Homemade said:
So, why is .404 pretty much only in .063 gauge? I run everything 3/8 .050 and was thinking of converting a 20” bar (seeing how I have several) to .404 by changing the tip. This would be for playing with and having a super durable chain for stumping. But I can’t find hardly and .404 in .050 gauge.

I already have a bar in .404 x .058,and trying to find a chain for that is like looking for 1/2” pitch chain.

Because it's a stronger chain made for larger saws and harvesters. A .063 drive link is considerably stronger than .050. And they say 063 carries oil better on longer bars

CR888 · Dec 11, 2018

They used to make 050 .404 I 'think', but nobody nowadays does anymore. For .404 .063 works well. I love cutting with a nice .404 chain, last week I noodled non stop 3 tanks of pine with my hopped up 660 & it was soft & fast. I was making some mulch for yard citrus trees & plant. After the chain was no where near blunt I touched it up on the grinder but it didn't really 'need' it.

Willard · Dec 11, 2018

huskihl said:
Because it's a stronger chain made for larger saws and harvesters. A .063 drive link is considerably stronger than .050. And they say 063 carries oil better on longer bars

A Oregon field engineer once told me running a .063 chain is a perfect setup as bar's detachable sprocket noses are all .063
Running a .050 or .058 3/8 chain will wobble on a .063 sprocket nose. He said watching the chain cut with a slow motion camera shows a less efficient cutting action causing extra wear .

Let’s Talk 404

Mastermind Approved!

Here For The Long Haul!

Mastermind Approved!

Here For The Long Haul!

Mastermind Approved!

Here For The Long Haul!

Mastermind Approved!

Mr. Awesome

Here For The Long Haul!

Well-Known OPE Member

Pinnacle OPE Member

AIR FUEL SPARK VROOOOOM

Here For The Long Haul!

Here For The Long Haul!

Here For The Long Haul!

Pinnacle OPE Member

AIR FUEL SPARK VROOOOOM

Muh fingers look really big

Here For The Long Haul!

Here For The Long Haul!

Similar threads