Help me pick bar sizes... and tree pics

[unionvillecountryboy]

Looking for advice. I picked up some saws and I need to fit them with bars. The 2188 will be getting an adapter and most likely a 24" light stihl mount bar. I had considered going to a 28" bar. Not sure the difference in the 28" from a 24" justifies picking up the bar. I have one 24" total lite bar, 2x 24" ES bars, and a 24" E bar.

The 661 I am looking at a used oregon lite 32 or 36. I really can't decide. Logic tells me to get a big bar for big bucking, but this saw was a blast to run with the 24. SO I'm hesitant to put a 36 on it as I may not grab it much. I'm concerned if I go with a 32 it may leave me wanting....

The tree in my near future that has me concerned because of the ash beetle and weird lean. It measures about 31" diameter.


And the tree I'd like to mill at some point, measures right around a 44" diameter. I believe maple. How can I tell if its curly?

 

[Deets066]

If you do a lot of stumping/flush cutting the 36" would be your friend. They are pretty light coming from Oregon and stihl, I personally would get the stihl light.
You probly won't notice much difference anyway 24 to 28. Or 32 to 36

 

[unionvillecountryboy]

If you do a lot of stumping/flush cutting the 36" would be your friend. They are pretty light coming from Oregon and stihl, I personally would get the stihl light.
You probly won't notice much difference anyway 24 to 28. Or 32 to 36

That makes sense. I just wanted to pick right, that way I'm not swapping bars all the time. The 661 is a wrap, so it's not the best for stumping, and endless supply of money would solve this.

 

[mdavlee]

I like a wrap to stump with. Pivot the saw on the wrap and if it needs to be lower than 4" than grind it. I'd go 32" light bar. If you want to mill a 44" log you'll need a 48" mill and 50" plus bar.

 

[unionvillecountryboy]

I like a wrap to stump with. Pivot the saw on the wrap and if it needs to be lower than 4" than grind it. I'd go 32" light bar. If you want to mill a 44" log you'll need a 48" mill and 50" plus bar.

Anythoughts on the big tree and what it would look like with all the knots?

 

[hseII]

No Ider on the milling, as I haven't jumped completely onto that realm of $$ yet.

1. 36" ES bar, not light, until you get used to using a longer bar. I promise, there is a learning curve, & trashing that brand new ES Light would make me cry.

2. 28"

3. 32"

In order of importance. ( you already said you would by 2, right?)


If you don't have any of this yet, buy them all in 0.063" gauge, with the correct chain, in the Stihl mount.

If you go with a regular 36" bar, you can use it for milling until you decide what big saw you want.

That leaner, read about them on AS: there is a way to cut leaners that will keep you posting.

I like long bars for sketchy trees, so you can work from the better of the 2 sides.

I've got a 32" Oregon Reduced weight, & it is floppy. Gotta be careful with it.

My 36" & Up are all regular bars.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

 

[mdavlee]

It could be interesting inside. You just never know til you open it up. How soft is the sapwood?

 

[hseII]

It could be interesting inside. You just never know til you open it up. How soft is the sapwood?

Absolutely.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

 

[hseII]

Bark says it's dead or on the way: proceed with extreme caution.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

 

[mdavlee]

I was thinking more on the lines of worth milling or not if it's maple. It could have easily beautiful Spalting on the inside or be trash. Dropping it being it's leaning wouldn't be too bad. Face, bore and release.

 

[hseII]

I was thinking more on the lines of worth milling or not if it's maple. It could have easily beautiful Spalting on the inside or be trash. Dropping it being it's leaning wouldn't be too bad. Face, bore and release.

Heavy on the Face, Bore, & then Release.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

 

[junkman]

How tall are you ? I am 6 foot and 32 inch fits me good ,36 i hit the tip in the ground for some reason ,and 28 i hunch over a lot .

 

[hseII]

How tall are you ? I am 6 foot and 32 inch fits me good ,36 i hit the tip in the ground for some reason ,and 28 i hunch over a lot .

5'11 1/2": a 32" fits me good also, but mine is a Reduced Weight, just like yours. Well, yours is blue & mine is red. [emoji38]

But what would be the most used if he only had 2 bars, to me is the question.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

 

[mdavlee]

I prefer 28-34" myself. I usually put the 34" on a ported 46 for going to fall trees unless I know they're fine to get at with the 28".

 

[unionvillecountryboy]

No Ider on the milling, as I haven't jumped completely onto that realm of $$ yet.

1. 36" ES bar, not light, until you get used to using a longer bar. I promise, there is a learning curve, & trashing that brand new ES Light would make me cry.

2. 28"

3. 32"

In order of importance. ( you already said you would by 2, right?)


If you don't have any of this yet, buy them all in 0.063" gauge, with the correct chain, in the Stihl mount.

If you go with a regular 36" bar, you can use it for milling until you decide what big saw you want.

That leaner, read about them on AS: there is a way to cut leaners that will keep you posting.

I like long bars for sketchy trees, so you can work from the better of the 2 sides.

I've got a 32" Oregon Reduced weight, & it is floppy. Gotta be careful with it.

My 36" & Up are all regular bars.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

The Jonsered 2188 came with a 36" regular, it's massive. I have 1 24" lite and 3 regular 24" all .050.

 

[unionvillecountryboy]

It could be interesting inside. You just never know til you open it up. How soft is the sapwood?

Not sure. The bottom two pictures show the mammoth maple. I don't think it's dead, just wet, gotten a lot of rain.

Bark says it's dead or on the way: proceed with extreme caution.


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

The first picture is the Ash, it is the leaner, it for sure is dead, not sure how rotten.

I was thinking more on the lines of worth milling or not if it's maple. It could have easily beautiful Spalting on the inside or be trash. Dropping it being it's leaning wouldn't be too bad. Face, bore and release.

The big 44" maple isn't leaning. It's straight as an arrow minus one 24" limb coming off. I was hoping all the knots meant it would be nice pretty wood.

How tall are you ? I am 6 foot and 32 inch fits me good ,36 i hit the tip in the ground for some reason ,and 28 i hunch over a lot .

6'1" to 6'3"... barefoot or boots.

Me and the Dave Ramsey man

 

[mdavlee]

I'd go 32 if you already have 25". There's only 2.75" difference in 25 to 28.

 

[unionvillecountryboy]

I'd go 32 if you already have 25". There's only 2.75" difference in 25 to 28.

Good, I think I just bought your old 32 haha.

 

[mdavlee]

Good, I think I just bought your old 32 haha.

From Joe?

 

[unionvillecountryboy]

lucky dad?