050 chain on .058 bar ah ha moment

[sixonetonoffun]

.050 chain on .058 bar

When I bought my non EPA 2065 it had a 20" bar n chain on and came with a 28" Oregon Power Match Plus bar and chain.



I only used it to fell 1 big hollow burr oak that split apart on landing so no need of long bar. Set it aside until today. I bought as a builder but runs strong so haven't dicked with (much) it yet.



Fired up today then inspected the bar for numbers to order a spare chain.
Oregon EX 288XXXd009




Took a long time to find the decode chart showing where the 2nd 8 represents.058





The chain drive links are #72 which is .050 not .058 which are #73

So there ya have another ah ha moment. Explains the scratch on the bar that appears to be from a pinched chain jumping off.

Always a learning curve/process. Ah Ha

 

[redneckhillbilly]

did you notice it cutting weird?

 

[sixonetonoffun]

Not really I only used it to make the face. So very little run time and it was new to me. Then finished with 038 to give it a run.

 

[redneckhillbilly]

I have heard you can run .050 chain in a .058 bar and it will work fine, was curious if anyone actually has done it? Ive seen replacement bar tips stamped .050/.058 before.

 

[hacskaroly]

I have heard you can run .050 chain in a .058 bar and it will work fine, was curious if anyone actually has done it? Ive seen replacement bar tips stamped .050/.058 before.

You can do it, there will be a little bit of slop due to the gap in the bar being slightly wider than the drivers. I would do it as a last resort as you risk chain jumping.

 

[redneckhillbilly]

I accidently bought 2 lite bars on .058, I have been pondering using them with .050 because thats all I have. but I dont want to mess anything up.

 

[Junk Meister]

Backertz of the topic.
I have used .050 chain (used) in a well used .043 (NK)more than a few times. as long as the chain goes around n around the bar freely.
Tsumara tips (48PV84) are for .050/.058 so the chain Drive Link is .008" narrower than the nose groove. There is an extreme amount of stress on the nose and sprocket when bore cutting and that is how Tsumara sold this replacement tip. They now sell a 4 rivet tip (6 Rivet tips NLA) that replaces them.

 

[hacskaroly]

but I dont want to mess anything up.

I don't think you will mess anything up, though with more risk of chain jumping, you might get some drivers burred up that will need to be hit with a file. During use, you might want to check the bar more often, not sure if the chain may have a tenancy to lean to one side or the other and wear it unevenly.

 

[sixonetonoffun]

Feeler gauge and caliper might tell a lot.

I wiggled the 050 chain on the 288 bar side by side compared to a new Sugi .050 and chain using the wiggle gauge it "felt" very much the same.

What I hate is how 28" bars have so many drive link count changes from brand to brand. Otherwise it would be a go to size for me I think. Next light bar I get will probably be a 32" just to stay 105dl

I doubt anyone will "tell you to use the wrong chain on your bar". They may say run what "fits".

 

[huskihl]

You can use a narrow chain in a wider groove as long as your chain and bar are perfect left and right. There’s a whole lot more slop than that in an old worn out bar with a proper brand new chain on it

 

[davidwyby]

Buy .050 bars. Run them until sloppy. Run .058" chain until sloppy. Buy .063" chains. Run until sloppy. :-D

 

[MG porting]

I bought a bar and chain combo once and I didn't think to look at the chain until I started bucking the log both were supposed to be .064 but when I was cutting I know right away there was definitely something wrong start my cut everything was good until a little over quarter way in then the damn thing started cutting sideways so I took the chain off and it was .058 to big of a difference between those two. I always check now. Lol

 

[Wilhelm]

I have heard you can run .050 chain in a .058 bar and it will work fine, was curious if anyone actually has done it? Ive seen replacement bar tips stamped .050/.058 before.

I run a couple .050" loops in .058" bars, I also run .058" loop in a well worn but healthy bar that easily fits .063".

You can use a narrow chain in a wider groove as long as your chain and bar are perfect left and right. There’s a whole lot more slop than that in an old worn out bar with a proper brand new chain on it

That!
Sharp chain, even cutters, well dressed bar rails - the chain will ride on top of the rails.