Ported Stihl 50cc saws - Optimum Bar and chain setup

[RI Chevy]

What bar and chain setup is better for ported 50cc work chainsaws?

The age old questions of extra torque vs. higher chain speed.

With ported 50cc work saws, is it better to use a bar and chain setup that utilizes the lower end grunt or the higher speed RPM's for better cutting?

Specifically, 3/8 or .325 bar and chain setups.

I prefer to utilize the higher RPM's that the ported saw makes (Stihl 026) to get a faster chain speed (.325 chain) providing me with a smoother, stable cut. Others prefer to use the lower end power band that the ported saw makes with 3/8 chain. The 3/8" chain generally makes the ported saw work a little harder utilizing lower RPM's during the cut.

Does running a ported saw at slightly higher RPM's good or bad for a worksaw?

Does running a ported saw at slightly lower RPM's provide for a longer life for a work saw?

They both produce fairly equal results, and work well, just wondering what all of you guys use with your ported 50cc saws.

Questions, questions, questions??? LOL

What do you guys think?

 

[Ryan Browne]

Subscribed. I've got 2 stock 50cc saws running 3/8x60dl setups, and one ported 50cc running .325x72dl. I'm interested to hear what everyone else is running.

 

[RI Chevy]

Ryan:

Which setup do you like best and why?
What saws are running which?
Do you prefer one over the other?
Do you prefer to use the torque that the ported saw makes or the higher RPM's that the saw makes for your ultimate cutting?
Come on now, spill it. LOL

 

[paragonbuilder]

I'd say .325 is probably the best all around 50cc chain whether you are cutting limbs screaming, or bucking wood too big for a 50cc saws[emoji33].
But if someone wants to stick with one chain size for all their saws, 3/8 works just fine as well.

As far as utilizing torque, you don't need 3/8 to do that. Just file or grind a more aggressive chain on your .325.


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[RI Chevy]

We discussed this between us before a little Dan. Does running the saw at higher RPM's hurt the longevity? Is it OK? Just trying to get a better understanding.


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[sunfish]

On ported 346xps' I run both .325 & 3/8, 16" & 18" bars. Not a whole lot of
difference. I prefer 3/8 slightly but don't know why?

 

[dall]

lol jeff when ported a saw gains rpm the 026 stock stihl spec says 14000 most ported 026 is closer to 15 or over 15
if you want to run a ported saw at stock specs you will need extra plugs for being to rich
as far as life expectancy let the saw run and breathe where it wants to
maintaining the saw is where life of the saw is
i run 325 chain and 8 pin sprocket for work

 

[RI Chevy]

I hear you Dallas.

Whenever I run 3/8 B&C on my 026, saw produces lower RPM's. Whenever I run .325, saw produces higher RPM's. Same size bar.
My setup I use now is .325 16" bar 8 pin rim. Seems best to me. Just want to be sure I am doing the best for the saw.
It's hot out today and just puttsing around here looking for info. Lol

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[dall]

It's hot out today and just puttsing around here slacking like normal. Lol

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fixed for accuracy

 

[PA Dan]

I hear you Dallas.

Whenever I run 3/8 B&C on my 026, saw produces lower RPM's. Whenever I run .325, saw produces higher RPM's. Same size bar.
My setup I use now is .325 16" bar 8 pin rim. Seems best to me. Just want to be sure I am doing the best for the saw.
It's hot out today and just puttsing around here looking for info. Lol

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.325 and a 16" bar is my favorite! Used it on Sarah's saw bucking up some of this and loved it!

 

[RI Chevy]

fixed for accuracy

LOL. You need another coffee. [emoji2]

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[paragonbuilder]

We discussed this between us before a little Dan. Does running the saw at higher RPM's hurt the longevity? Is it OK? Just trying to get a better understanding.


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No. Not enough to matter anyhow. The Saw needs to run where it's power band is. It's something that can be felt. Not sure how to explain it. If 3/8 pulls it below this, the chain is too aggressive. If .325 runs above it, it needs to be dogged in or filed more aggressive.



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[angelo c]

what is this "porting" and is it dangerous ?....

everybody talking "port" this "port" that ...
do you need to run special oils ?

 

[PA Dan]

what is this "porting" and is it dangerous ?....

everybody talking "port" this "port" that ...
do you need to run special oils ?

Yes the RED kind![emoji23]

 

[dall]

I'm done

 

[PA Dan]

I have a nice 3/8 chain from @MikeLee to try out on Sarah's saw as soon as I get a 3/8 small spline rim. Can't wait to see how that runs in her 026!

 

[Johnmn]

@PA Dan have you tried the 3/8 lp?

 

[RI Chevy]

Keep us posted PA Dan. Very interested in the outcome. [emoji106]

I hear you Dan. When we meet up, I will have you take a few runs and see if I am on the right track. I think that was what I was trying to figure out. I just didn't state it as eloquently as you.

Come on Dallas. Don't ne like that. LOL

 

[PA Dan]

@PA Dan have you tried the 3/8 lp?

That would be the picco chain correct? If so yes I did a test last week and took some videos. The picco ran very well in the test log! I had my son run the camera and he didn't get them loaded and he's away right now. Think I'll do another video with a couple different chains.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Yes the RED kind![emoji23]

Blue is better! [emoji41]
Hi Dallas


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