.404 overkill?

[redtractor]

There are 3 rolls of .404 Oregon chain that have been in the shop for years. As I (very) slowly put together a 385xp, I can't help but wonder about the two together. Has anyone tried this saw and chain set-up?

 

[Lee H]

I have never run a 385 but i do have a Sachs Dolmar 133 @ 85cc's
and the 143 @ 95cc's and they pull 404 fine. But i think if i had my
choice i would go 3/8.

 

[fordf150]

Just put 404 full chisel skip on a 7910 of mine. A bit grabby is my only complaint but I've never ran 404 until now so it's a learning curve for me

 

[Keith Gandy]

Heck ya use it !! I have a MMWS 390xp with a 28" Cannon .404 with Stihl skip and full comp setups. U talkin about a noodling machine!!!!! That Big Husky teamed up with 404 throws a wide kerf noodle with authority!!!

 

[Keith Gandy]

404 pulls usable torque out of a saw if it has the nuts to pull it!! Ive tried 404 on several 70cc range saws and wasnt impressed though. They will pull it but not like the bigger saws

 

[Nitroman]

All I run on the 3120 and 394. I used to run the 3/8 Stihl but I hit some mild abrasive once, and I didn't have a file. It was a long ride home. I have never had to do that with .404.

 

[redoakneck]

Ported 385 , 32" , .404,

17 minutes, 1 full tank

 

[tickbitintn]

I have run .404 on a 33"cannon roller tip on a 385 i had for a bit and it pulled it fine.... and yes it will sling some big noodles...

 

[Jimmy in NC]

404 is good stuff. Wear like crazy. My MMWS runs .404 -28" no problem. Anything bigger gets .404 most of the time. The 372 goes back and forth.

Try it and run it, you might be surprised.

 

[exSW]

Ported 385 , 32" , .404,

17 minutes, 1 full tank

I have run .404 on a 33"cannon roller tip on a 385 i had for a bit and it pulled it fine.... and yes it will sling some big noodles...

I used a .404 32" on my Zoo City Saws Jred 2186(Husky 385). Ran it just fine. Could have been sharper or the rakers a little lower. First time I messed with.404 also.

 

[angelo c]

I run .404 on my 661s

3/8ths factory new Stihl RS chain 28" = I can usually get 3 maybee 4 tanks before it needs to be sharpened.

404 factory new stihl RS chain 28" = I can usually get 7-10 tanks before it needs to be sharpened. But even when "dull" it still cuts pretty good.


I will say that .404 is more self feeding. Not much pressure is needed.

and most of the time it's just as fast as 3/8ths - see attached. (these were done with only a muffler modded 661)


special note: I think .404 RM is hard on the saw.

interesting special note on the RM...why do you supposed that's so ?
RM seems to be easier in the long run on the "operator"...especially the ones 'round here that can't file worth a darn( but think they are pros)

 

[Redbull661]

I'd guess the rounded top plate is harder to pull through the wood...creates more vibs. I ran some 36" 404 RM and RM full skip yesterday and it was like holding onto a jack hammer...well the full skip was better but still.

Now 36" 404 RSLF is soo smooth it feels like your not even cutting the wood.

 

[Keith Gandy]

I'd guess the rounded top plate is harder to pull through the wood...creates more vibs. I ran some 36" 404 RM and RM full skip yesterday and it was like holding onto a jack hammer...well the full skip was better but still.

Now 36" 404 RSLF is soo smooth it feels like your not even cutting the wood.

I thought the fullcomp would be alil smoother than skip but for me it wasnt. Pretty smooth if ran at WOT. The fullcomp pulled through the wood better than the skip though

 

[CR888]

If you run large saws .404 is better value IME. More wood cut between sharpening & more sharpening's per cutter. Less cutters to file/grind per size of loop & its the same price as smaller chain. Very underated chain IMO. Oh & when you noodle with it....well ya'll be hooked.

 

[Keith Gandy]

If you run large saws .404 is better value IME. More wood cut between sharpening & more sharpening's per cutter. Less cutters to file/grind per size of loop & its the same price as smaller chain. Very underated chain IMO. Oh & when you noodle with it....well ya'll be hooked.

Ive noodled with my 064 with 3/8 skip but quickly picked my 390 back up with 404 for noodling very quickly. No substitute for chip displacement when noodling

 

[junkman]

I'd guess the rounded top plate is harder to pull through the wood...creates more vibs. I ran some 36" 404 RM and RM full skip yesterday and it was like holding onto a jack hammer...well the full skip was better but still.

Now 36" 404 RSLF is soo smooth it feels like your not even cutting the wood.

The .404 rs smooths out after you fix it on the silvey .Has way too much hook being round off the roll when round ,makes it super grabby .

 

[ajschainsaws]

Over here it's been 404 for years anything over 30" bar was 404 chipper chain or full chisel usually Oregon 59L or 59A
Or Carlton and sometimes sabre chain if you could get it
I've just done a loop of stihl 404 full chisel for the solo twin so that should be fun

 

[Black Dog Chainsaw]

If you have the chain available I would be going to 404 right away. it holds an edge way longer than 3/8 if you're out cutting all day long. To many people hate on 404 b/c it doesn't cut as fast as 3/8. That's true but in every day cutting situations it holds it's edge longer in dirty and less than perfect conditions. I may cut slower but I have to stop half as much to sharpen my chain too. Also 404 bar tips can usually be found cheaper since most guys want 3/8. I don't know if I would use 404 full comp on a 36-42" bar with the 385 but I think a 24-32" bar is out of the question.

The stihl chain comes out grabby right away but Oregon is what you have. I have found 404 carlton and oregon chisel full comp to run pretty smooth. I would caution to not take your depth guages down to far and leave them on the slimmer side of 0.020 to start with. Too many guys cut some poplar and knock their rakers down to .030-.035 and then as soon as they hit hard wood the rough ride begins.

I use 404 058 (0.020 rakers) on my 24" 7900 in hardwood and love it!

 

[Black Dog Chainsaw]

Over here it's been 404 for years anything over 30" bar was 404 chipper chain or full chisel usually Oregon 59L or 59A
Or Carlton and sometimes sabre chain if you could get it
I've just done a loop of stihl 404 full chisel for the solo twin so that should be fun

Careful using the term chipper chain. Most guys use it interchangeably with semi chisel but there is a difference. Chipper is fully rounded on the side plate and semi-chisel has a flat side plate. Chipper keeps an edge the longest of all the chains but doesn't cut real well and is SLOW! Chipper is usually found in the USA on older mag saws or 2 man saws.

chipper left
semi chisel (middle 2)
chisel right side

 

[Black Dog Chainsaw]

Another real life look at cutter styles.
chipper left side
semi-chisel center
chisel right