Chain Gauges

[Bryan Barrow]

So when I go to the dealership I always choose .050 gauge. However, I see a lot of people running .058. What’s the pros and cons of each? I personally run .050 to keep everything the same


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[Dub11]

I try and run everything at .050 too. But on the longer stuff .063 carrys oil better.

 

[MustangMike]

Most Stihl saws run .050, but .063 is also available (and is more popular out West).

Generally, Husky saws run .058.

The wider groove oils a little better, so I like to run .063 on bars over 20", but had difficulty finding the .063 bars in 36". As a result, I run .050 in 18", 20" and 36" and .063 in 24" and 28".

 

[RI Chevy]

I run .050 in most everything except for the .325 16 and 18".
But I wish I went with .063 with everything.

 

[MustangMike]

.063 oils nice, but it can be hard to find here in the East. It is almost like asking for square file chain!

Ironically, I was able to get 24" and 28" bars in .063, but not 36" bars, That said I mill with the 36", and so far no problems, so .050 must work OK.

If you bury your bar tip in a log, .050 is easier to jam up than .063 (IMO).

 

[RI Chevy]

I have a 32" in . 050 and it cuts OK. But I wish I got . 063 for the better oiling.

 

[Marshy]

If I could get all 63 gauge I'd personally just stick with that but not many shops carry 63 around me. Its definitely a regional thing and 50 or 58 is most common. I've heard of people using 58 and when the rails of the bar get worn you can drop in 63 gauge chain and not have to worry about compressing the rails back to fit 58. I dont think you can take the same approach with a warn 50 gauge bar and jump to 58 though. I've personally never tried either... also something to think about, 63 gauge is 26% thicker drive link than 50 gauge. Maybe it would extend the life of sprockets just a little longer.

 

[RI Chevy]

I thought . 058 was primarily European?

 

[Marshy]

I thought . 058 was primarily European?

Nah, it's all over the east coast.

 

[RI Chevy]

Hmmm. Interesting

 

[andyshine77]

I run pretty much .050 and it is fine in what I cut. I do have a few bars in .058 and maybe it oils better, the drivers hold up better, but really for my use it's not a big deal. Run the .058 on my bigger saws like the 395.

 

[3browns]

So many folks say that the bigger gauge chains oil better in longer bars that it’s hard not to believe it

But I am drawing a blank on why that would be

Your saw puts out X amount of oil and now you are spreading that same amount of oil over a wider slot which means even more surface area to cover with the same amount of oil

Obviously I am missing something fundamental but what???

 

[huskyboy]

I try to stay away from .058. I stick with .063 and .050.

 

[kfd518]

Not slathering the bottom of the slot. Just the two side the wider oil hol in the link and wider trough at the bar oil hole holds a high quantity of oil but I surmise that it has more to do with people cranking up the Oiler than anything else. That’s all I can figure.

 

[Wolverine]

Generally, Husky saws run .058.

I’ve bought 2 new and many used. I’ve only ever saw 58 on one and it was an aftermarket bar. Must be a regional thing. All I’ve seen is 50.

All mine are 50 except the long bars, they are 63.

 

[3browns]

Not slathering the bottom of the slot. Just the two side the wider oil hol in the link and wider trough at the bar oil hole holds a high quantity of oil but I surmise that it has more to do with people cranking up the Oiler than anything else. That’s all I can figure.

I dunno

I understand what you’re laying down

I’m just not sure how you could keep the oil flowing to the sides and not the bottom of the slot

 

[Dub11]

I thought . 058 was primarily European?

I had 3 .058 bar 4 sail ones. All of them went east.

 

[MarcS]

Interesting thread, I’ve always wondered how the different gauge sizes came to be as well. Suspect Stihl originated .063 just to have a proprietary gauge and sell their own chain? Anyone know when Jonsereds started with .058? 1.5mm is .059 if that could be any clue to it’s origin?

 

[kfd518]

I dunno

I understand what you’re laying down

I’m just not sure how you could keep the oil flowing to the sides and not the bottom of the slot

I know a lot of Oregon chain has flat sides on the drive links but most Stihl and some Oregon have holes all the way through, or at minimum dimples that hold and carry oil. Many Stihl chains as well have an oil track in the side of the driver that also tracks to the driver holes.

As for gauge, almost all Stihl around here is .063 including .325 pitchunless it has LP chain on it, nearly everything else is .050.
I can find .063 in most bars for Husqvarna until I get down to the k095 Mount size bars then its back to .050 or .058 which is hard to find around here. The internet helps that though as well as parts for my increasing pile of husqvarna. Changing from .063 getting is hard for me since I’ve been using it all my life as a Stihl head.

 

[Dub11]

I know a lot of Oregon chain has flat sides on the drive links but most Stihl and some Oregon have holes all the way through, or at minimum dimples that hold and carry oil. Many Stihl chains as well have an oil track in the side of the driver that also tracks to the driver holes.

As for gauge, almost all Stihl around here is .063 including .325 pitchunless it has LP chain on it, nearly everything else is .050.
I can find .063 in most bars for Husqvarna until I get down to the k095 Mount size bars then its back to .050 or .058 which is hard to find around here. The internet helps that though as well as parts for my increasing pile of husqvarna. Changing from .063 getting is hard for me since I’ve been using it all my life as a Stihl head.

After I came across a clapped out 20" k095 78 dl .058 .325 bar and cut some off the tail to make a loop of 74dl .325 .063 loop work I'm always on the look out for old .058 bar "convert".

And to @Bryan Barrow try to keep low cost as the most common denominator for your bar gauge choice. See what your local shops carry on the cheap. What is the easiest to match to you saws? If you're gonna jump between brands .050 is going to be your best bet. Most of all stay cheap!!!!