Let’s Talk 404

[Willard]

They used to make 050 .404 I 'think', but nobody nowadays does anymore. For .404 .063 works well. I love cutting with a nice .404 chain, last week I noodled non stop 3 tanks of pine with my hopped up 660 & it was soft & fast. I was making some mulch for yard citrus trees & plant. After the chain was no where near blunt I touched it up on the grinder but it didn't really 'need' it.

I probably already posted this pic in this thread, Lol.
Oregon 50AL chisel bit . Got about 30 feet new on the roll and another 30 used.

 

[RI Chevy]

Nice. Looks like good strong chain!

 

[Wilhelm]

So, why is .404 pretty much only in .063 gauge? I run everything 3/8 .050 and was thinking of converting a 20” bar (seeing how I have several) to .404 by changing the tip. This would be for playing with and having a super durable chain for stumping. But I can’t find hardly and .404 in .050 gauge.

I already have a bar in .404 x .058,and trying to find a chain for that is like looking for 1/2” pitch chain.

The .404" I have is .050", I have no idea if it was old stock or recent production.
Bar is hard nose.

 

[Homemade]

I do have one 20” bar in .058 and a .404 tip, but that is just as hard to find.

 

[Willard]

The .404" I have is .050", I have no idea if it was old stock or recent production.
Bar is hard nose.

.050 CP, JP, LP, AL .404 hasn't been made for over 30 years. But they are listed in my 1982 Oregon catalog.

 

[Willard]

Nice. Looks like good strong chain!

My 066 Mag - 25" cuts faster with the 50AL .404 right off the roll then a 72LGX right off the roll.
Doesn't cut a kerf much wider then the 72 too, as the 50AL is .058 on the upper half of the drive links between the cutters.

 

[RI Chevy]

Nice. I have to get some .404 and try it.

 

[Willard]

Nice. I have to get some .404 and try it.

But you won't easily find this .050 AL and with the straight up front depth gauges. You might find some .058 but is .063 between the cutters.

Bailey's still sells the square ground Oregon 68 CL & full skip CJ. .063

 

[psuiewalsh]

I do have one 20” bar in .058 and a .404 tip, but that is just as hard to find.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32-404-058...:-dYAAOSw~gRVqVJZ:sc:USPSPriority!19362!US!-1

 

[Homemade]

Looks like a deal accept there’s not enough there. It lists only 61dl and a 20” bar needs 65-66. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[huskihl]

Looks like a deal accept there’s not enough there. It lists only 61dl and a 20” bar needs 65-66. Thanks for the heads up.

It says 100 drive links. 32" chain

 

[psuiewalsh]

My maths says you can start with 100 and take away enough to work.

 

[Homemade]

It says down 61. My understanding is that it was a 100dl loop that was chopped down already. And only 61 do remain. I could be miss reading it too.

 

[psuiewalsh]

I read that as an internal inventory control location. Box 61 down something.

 

[Homemade]

Ahh

 

[ferris]

I tested 404 against 3/8 on Stihl 462 with a hard nose bar.
Both stihl RS chains

Cut times 404: 9 sec & 7 sec

Cut times 3/8: 7,5 sec & 6 sec

I also make 2 cuts with a sprocket nose bar.
Cut times 3/8 sprocket nose: 6 & 5,5

 

[RI Chevy]

Do you always keep your chain that loose?

 

[Homemade]

Exactly what I thought. I know your supposed to keep them slack on a hard nose, but I’m surprised it stayed on when you were piss revving it. Taking this test for what it is, I wonder at what length does .404 become the advantage over 3/8

 

[RI Chevy]

I think it just stays sharp longer. No "real " advantage over 3/8 that I know.

 

[Cat 525]

Heavier built chain for sure and does take more power! The kickback when plunge or bore cutting was a lot worse. Just gradually got away from it!