.404 overkill?

[mdavlee]

I like 404 on 20 and 25 inch bars on my 046. Works fine on a 385.

 

[redtractor]

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.

This 385 will have a muffler mod, base gasket delete and a little ignition timing advance, so it'll be a bit better than stock. What's getting me is that Oregon is only offering one bar in.404 in large Husqy and .063 in 36". That's the size chain available and we are an Oregon dealer so, as far as cost, I've been looking in house. I had been thinking maybe 32" but I guess I need to broaden my search.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

Some 50cc saws used to come with 1/2 inch pitch.

 

[Black Dog Chainsaw]

This 385 will have a muffler mod, base gasket delete and a little ignition timing advance, so it'll be a bit better than stock. What's getting me is that Oregon is only offering one bar in.404 in large Husqyand .063 in 36". That's the size chain available and we are an Oregon dealer so, as far as cost, I've been looking in house. I had been thinking maybe 32" but I guess I need to broaden my search.

keep in mind there is a ton of bars out there in D096, D196, and D007 mount that will fit the D009 Large husky mount. These older mount bars for homelite and poulan pro etc would have a better chance of being 404 chain and tend to be found cheaper. They may need to be slightly altered but nothing big since the slots are all 9.5mm. You can also get one of Mikes adapters to use a 12mm D025 Stihl mount on that saw. Also the old Mac bars in 8mm have the same size tail mount so the slot can be milled open to accept 9.5mm husky bar studs. If you have 25', 50', or 100' rolls of chain you can spin chain to whatever drive link count a older bar might require. For example an old D007 20" 3/8 bar is 70DL not 72DL like is common today. Just saying there are cheap ways around bar and chain selection. If you have cheap 404 chain available and find a cheap old D196 bar with 3/8 tip you can always find a $10-$15 404 tip for it. I know I have a dozen spare tips for odd bars sitting around... I'm sure there are plenty more like me on here that can help you find a 404 tip for an odd older bar... I actually like doing this b/c i'll end up with an odd DL count and that will keep others from snatching a chain out of the pickup that's not theirs (proprietary to your saw only! )

for instance here is an old windsor bar that is marked "poulan pro" that will fit the D009 that is a 36" 404 063 For $71. This older 3 rivet tip windsor is excelent steel and will hold up better than todays Oregon bars. I have been beating on my old 3 rivet tip bar for 5 years now with plenty of life left yet. The only difference on this bar is the bar adjuster holes are much bigger. You can leave them alone or pool them with a mig welder, grind flat and re-drill proper D009 holes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-Poulan-Sprocket-Nose-Guide-Bar/112055577272?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20131003132420&meid=c28506cda2a94774a40a1609ed13e10d&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=172286820049

 

[ajschainsaws]

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

I see what your meaning it's just what you get used too saying too customers do you want chipper or chisel is the usual question the 59ac Oregon is still classed here as the chipper chain and the 58L and 59L is classed as the square corner chisel with the ramped depth gauges. and the 26x 27x is classed as full chisel
some of the Dolmar owners just like the Dolmar 103 404 chain

This is a chain I like in the photo

 

[junkman]

This 385 will have a muffler mod, base gasket delete and a little ignition timing advance, so it'll be a bit better than stock. What's getting me is that Oregon is only offering one bar in.404 in large Husqyand .063 in 36". That's the size chain available and we are an Oregon dealer so, as far as cost, I've been looking in house. I had been thinking maybe 32" but I guess I need to broaden my search.

Talk to @Redbull661 he has a lot of test chain with only a few cuts on them like new stihl chain ,he can make any dl size you want ,i got a bunch for a 32 inch bar from him .

 

[Keith Gandy]

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 .

Ya Brian my 404 setup with rs full comp is rough but it slings some chips. U r talking about square grinding the chain to smooth it out?

 

[hseII]

Ported 385 , 32" , .404,

17 minutes, 1 full tank

Why did you make so many "Randy Stools" out of that poor tree?

It's easier to handle long, according to TeeWon.

 

[hseII]

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.

Keep Talkin', Debil.

 

[hseII]

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!

A Coma is this[emoji117] ,

Google it, and learn to use it.

 

[hseII]

This 385 will have a muffler mod, base gasket delete and a little ignition timing advance, so it'll be a bit better than stock. What's getting me is that Oregon is only offering one bar in.404 in large Husqy and .063 in 36". That's the size chain available and we are an Oregon dealer so, as far as cost, I've been looking in house. I had been thinking maybe 32" but I guess I need to broaden my search.

Left Coast Supplies, GB Bars.

You'll love the bar, but Don't get attached to the paint.

 

[hseII]

Talk to @Redbull661 he has a lot of test chain with only a few cuts on them like new stihl chain ,he can make any dl size you want ,i got a bunch for a 32 inch bar from him .

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Not out in da opens!

 

[redoakneck]

Why did you make so many "Randy Stools" out of that poor tree?

It's easier to handle long, according to TeeWon.

All firewood, roll rounds into loader bucket, loader to the splitter pile.
Tree was a heavy leaner, so I didn't want to mill it.

 

[junkman]

Ya Brian my 404 setup with rs full comp is rough but it slings some chips. U r talking about square grinding the chain to smooth it out?

I
Yes make it square.round about ripped the saw out of my hands

 

[Brewz]

I love 404 in dirty hardwood
As said, stands up to more punishment than 3/8 but can be rough in smaller timber

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

I was persuaded to stick with 3/8 on my 395, by a guy who will probably forget more than I will ever learn about tree stuff. Will eventually try .404 but not in any hurry yet. Still too much to learn and experiment with, with 3/8.

 

[Moparmyway]

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!

404 RS is .035-.040 off the roll

 

[Jimmy in NC]

404 RS is .035-.040 off the roll

Ive never run .404 under .030" everything in manufacturer specs suggest at least .030". At first I thought it was silly and then I realized that it makes sense as there is more distance between the gauge tooth and cutting edge; progressive filing.

 

[Brewz]

I run mine at .035
No fun is small stuff, but 404 is not meant for that.
In big timber it drags you in as it tears the timber out...... I love it.

I dint give 2 hoots if its a touch slower per cut. The time is made up in not having to sit and file the chain every tank of fuel

 

[Black Dog Chainsaw]

I looked at my raker gauge that I use on 404 chain last night, and I wasn't wrong... It's a 0.020 guage. I may try knocking down to 0.025 now that ya'll say 0.030-0.035, but at 0.020 it runs so smooth in all the hard woods (white and red Oak, mulberry, cherry, dead dry elm, etc). I don't cut poplar, soft maple, or pine... I don't mind a grab but I don't want chatter either.

I also looked and I'm using older Oregon 58B (404 full comp chisel 058). Not sure what the "B" signifies but 58B is what's stamped on the the drive links. Pretty sure the old roll packaging still has "Omark" printed on it... Old stuff... Looked up the new recommendations for Oregon 58/59 404 chain... It says 0.025 depth guage. So maybe I'm a little under and you guys are a little over...???

http://www.oregonproducts.com/pdf/chain/59CL_F_B0601.pdf

Ive never run .404 under .030" everything in manufacturer specs suggest at least .030". At first I thought it was silly and then I realized that it makes sense as there is more distance between the gauge tooth and cutting edge; progressive filing.

What chain are you running? Stihl RS?