High Quality Chainsaw Bars Husqvarna Toys

chain guide for newbies...

sonoransaw

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I was wondering if I could get some general guidelines for chains and bars. I really don't know much about them. I currently have five bars and chains for my saws. I swap them occasionally and just go by whether I can get things to fit and work. I know that can be a crapshoot. I've heard that the drive links are different thicknesses to accommodate the bar groove (which widens as it wears). Can I just see if the chain fits fairly well and go with it? Do I need to use measuring tools to get a more accurate idea first? Do I need to read and match labels stamped on the bars and chains? I'm reading online as much as I have time for, so if I'm asking stupid questions that you think are obvious, feel free to ignore...I'll figure it out eventually...Thanks!
 

Ryan Browne

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If it fits well in the bar groove, that's good enough for the gauge (thickness). It's pretty easy to visually distinguish between .050 and .063 once you've seen them side by side a few times. .058 is a little tougher, but I don't see much of that. Gauge of chain and bar must be the same.

Pitch of bar, chain, and drive sprocket must be the same too. There's 4 semi common ones, 3/8loprofile, .325, 3/8, and .404. .404 is generally only on big saws, 90ccs+. Pitch is the distance between rivets, and more generally the size of the chain. Again, once you see them side by side, it's easy to see which is which. Drive sprockets are labeled.
 

Homemade

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Three measurements to keep an eye on. Pitch, gauge, and length.

Pitch is the length between three rivets divided by two. Common sizes are 3/8, .325, and .404. The 3/8 low profile is a bit of a highbred of 3/8 pitch with .325 cutters on top.

Gauge is the thickness of the drive links. .050, .058, and .063 are the common sizes. Once a bar starts to wear you can get a thicker drive in.

Length is commonly chose in inches but counting drive links is the best way. A 20” bar can have 72 drive links and sometimes they have 70.

Most popular chain manufacturers have a number stamped on them and you can look up which size of pitch and gauge it is.
 

3browns

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This can also be your friend

https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/part-finder

As long as you know your pitch and gauge, etc which should be stamped or engraved on your bar near the mount holes, you can see what types of Oregon chain fit your various saws and whether the various bar mount specs interchange as well

Screen Shot 2020-01-14 at 6.25.37 AM.png
 

sonoransaw

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Thanks, guys....all most helpful....excited to finally get a handle on this stuff...
 

Philbert

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The chain, guide bar, and drive sprocket must work together as 'a system'. Each part must match / be compatible with the other two. Info on the guide bar is a good starting point, if it is readable. Go to each manufacturers' web site where you can download more chain information, manuals, etc.

Chain Gauge Measuring Tools.png
STIHL 0000 893 4105 (3).png
STIHL 0000 893 4105

If you are using the same chains and brands regularly, you will learn each company's numbering / ID system.

I use these to sort chains from a number of different manufacturers.

Phibert
 

Philbert

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angelo c

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STIHL https://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent.../STIHL-Saw-Chain-Selection-Identification.pdf

Oregon in @angelo c 's post above, also: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/869194/

Carlton http://www.carltonproducts.com/ (Product Catalog)

TriLink http://trilinksawchain.com/downloads/Product_Knowledge_Guide_2018.pdf

Lots of other technical documents by STIHL, Oregon, Carlton, etc. floating around. This stuff covers most of the basic stuff (an a lot more).

Philbert

HE has spoke.
 

chipper1

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Length is commonly chose in inches but counting drive links is the best way. A 20” bar can have 72 drive links and sometimes they have 70.
Kinda like an 84dl can be either 24 or 25 lol.
Now that being said a different bar shape can have an effect on the dl count.
 

sonoransaw

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Thanks, 3browns....if I can get on my game with these, I'll be ready for the pro saw when it comes along...and no doubt appreciate it more....
 

sonoransaw

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This chain seemed to fit ok but then at the end of the bar the drive links don't fit the sprocket properly....Is this just because the various companies want you to exclusively buy their brand of components rather than interchanging?

jCllaDI.jpg
 

dahmer

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This chain seemed to fit ok but then at the end of the bar the drive links don't fit the sprocket properly....Is this just because the various companies want you to exclusively buy their brand of components rather than interchanging?

jCllaDI.jpg
Make sure bar and chain are the same pitch.
 

sonoransaw

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Ok, so would one of those plastic guides Philbert posted above tell me the pitch of both chain and bar? Like the Oregon one above....would it work to check any bar or chain? Or do I have to get the different brands?
 
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