.325 vs 3/8 vs.404 race chain

[Jake Dykstra]

Anybody using .325 race chain? Thought I read somewhere that someone trued .325 and it wasnt as fast as 3/8?
Maybe .404 is the fastest?
My brain says narrow kerf is better but??

 

[jakethesnake]

Depends on what you’re pulling it with

 

[cus_deluxe]

.325 might be faster on a small saw, like if theres a 45cc and under class or something. basically every other scenario 3/8 is faster, until you get to big saws, even then a lot of guys still run 3/8”.

 

[JB-PlantHeirloom]

I would guess it follows go-kart chain selection. More torque means picking a bigger rivet and side plate.

At an auction I bought a small box of chain that weighed 160 pounds. Turns out it was oil field chain and the rivets where like 1" bolts. Sold it for a good profit, but, I had to ship it by uship. I do not known how much torque i t was designed to withstand, but, I imagine it was measured in 100s of foot pounds.

 

[Woodwater]

The narrower the cut, the faster a chainsaw can pull the chain. but you have to find the optimal setup for a saw.

 

[species8472]

I use 325 on a661 race saw and 3/8 on a 660 race saw. The 325 is faster in our wood over here.

 

[Wilhelm]

Due to the narrower kerf and smaller bite of the tooth one should be able to run a bigger sprocket on .325" compared to 3/8" , lest .404".

Then again, a "race chain" is rarely a new full length cutters chain.
As a tooth is ground/filed back the kerf of the chain reduces.
A worn 3/8" can and will cut faster than a new .325" chain, same length same log, same saw.
Then again, a new 3/8" chain cuts slower than a new .325" chain - same saw, same log, same bar length. Both Stihl RS.

But, I don't know anything about "race chains"!
I merely mess with "play chains" for my own entertainment.

 

[cus_deluxe]

I use 325 on a661 race saw and 3/8 on a 660 race saw. The 325 is faster in our wood over here.

racing in hardwood is something i didnt consider haha. not really a think where we are.

 

[cus_deluxe]

chip clearnace i think becomes an issue in softwoods around here. 3/8” takes a bigger bite and has much more room between cutters to allow chips to exit.

 

[Bjorn]

chip clearnace i think becomes an issue in softwoods around here. 3/8” takes a bigger bite and has much more room between cutters to allow chips to exit.

Yes, 3/8 have longer distance betwen the toofs. More space for chips.

 

[Dolkitafreak]

Then again, a new 3/8" chain cuts slower than a new .325" chain - same saw, same log, same bar length. Both Stihl RS.

Too many variables to say that often. On a stock 346xp in 12” cherry (hard wood), oregon .325 full chisel non safety was slower than 3/8 LGX both 7 pin 16”. Need specifics ti throw out things like that.

 

[Wilhelm]

.325" 7pin sprocket has a smaller OD than 3/8" 7pin, chain moves slower around the bar.

Of course there are a bunch of variables, You just brought one up.
This is why the answer isn't simply "xyz" pitch chain is the fastest.

Chain tooth sequence also matters...

 

[JB-PlantHeirloom]

What is that, a FULL HOUSE vs. Full comp ?

 

[Jake Dykstra]

Cutters on Cutters on Cutters!

 

[Wilhelm]

That is a custom made Full House (72DL with 72 cutters) Oregon EXL!

Or, my "JMester Chain" as it has been made for me by my friend @jmester

I need to find the time to play with it, it is an excellent conversation starter.
I have a couple videos of it on my YouTube channel.

 

[Woodwater]

double full of cutters

 

[jmester]

I see one of those nice stihl chain boxes in that pic @Wilhelm. I really do like them. Fits well in my wedge pouch to be able to carry a spare chain when falling timber. For when the dirt, rocks or barb wire jump out a hit my chain

 

[Wilhelm]

I see one of those nice stihl chain boxes in that pic @Wilhelm. I really do like them. Fits well in my wedge pouch to be able to carry a spare chain when falling timber. For when the dirt, rocks or barb wire jump out a hit my chain

Yes, You got me hooked on those boxes!
Whenever I am at my Stihl dealer I look whether they have any of these boxes in stock, if so I take them all.
I have 20-30 of them by now.
It's all Your fault, I didn't even know about them before You gave me the part number!

 

[davidwyby]

20” 23rs on a larger rim on a torquey ported 346 is fast.