Why is there an 0.050 AND 0.058 gauge

[KZ1000]

especially if you have the wrong size driver and your pitch sucks!

 

[Jswanson]

For guys to run .050 race chains in .058 bars

Good advise!

 

[Wilhelm]

I am running .050" chains in .058" bars without any issues.
Regular work chains, well kinda, mildly modified to meet my expectations.

My main mid sized and large saw B&C setups are all .058".
My small saws run .050".

 

[isaaccarlson]

Having both stihl and husky, I think about this every day. The stihl runs 3/8 .050 and the husky runs .325 .058
Setting the backspace on my grinder is a pain when switching between chains.

 

[Cat 525]

When I get my bars regrooved I get them all .050. Trying to slowly get them all the same gauge!

 

[Fish]

So re-grooving is just squeezing them to .050?
Not trying to start any trouble, just want to know if this is possible.
If not, or so, can you elaborate?

 

[Cat 525]

Yes it's possible! Long as the rails don't get to thin. They sell the tool to do that! I know Bailey's and other suppliers carry them. Or there are shops that do it.

 

[JB-PlantHeirloom]

When your done with this, explain to me why 1 7/8 and 2 in balls coexist.

Smaller balls equal lower cost and way back when, when most people drove cars and hung balls off their rear chrome bumper on the station wagon to tow a small boat or pop up camper, the 2000# limit was enough.

As trucks became more capable and as the Ford F series started to become the most popular selling model for 40+ years, people transitioned from thin gauge bumper tows with bolted on plates and a 1 7/8" ball, to step and tow bumpers capable of 3500# on a good day attached to trucks. This required a 2" ball with a larger shank and bigger surface area. As people twisted step and tow bumpers off their vehicles, solutions were needed.

Then as trucks became more powerful and with heavier frames, receiver hitches were installed, that upped that 2" ball to 5k and then 7k loads. Once the limits of that shank and surface area were reached, they transitioned to the 10k 2 5/16 ball which matches the limit of the size trailer you can tow without having a CDL.

Except in cases of an RV camper/5th wheel where a 2 5/16 is good for up to 21k, with the limit being under 24,999 before needing that CDL.

1 7/8 and 2" balls do not really coexist, you would be hard pressed to find any major OEM that sells a trailer that has a 1 7/8" coupler on it. Maybe on a folding trailer with 4 lug wheels with a 1500# GVWR. But, most people go with bigger is better and the standard is pretty much a 2" ball with a 3000# or 3500# five lug axle.

About the only thing you will find a 1 7/8 coupler on is a trailer used to trailer a jon boat or jet ski.