Regular .325 chain on a nk bar?

[Farmchuck]

Hello all. I have a 550xp, I just recently acquired a new Oregon speed cut 16" .50 nk bar. I have several loops or Stihl .50 .325 16" chains, both chain & bar are 66dl, but I don't believe the Stihl chain is narrow kerf. Will it work on the nk bar or will I have clearance issues?

 

[jake wells]

Hello all. I have a 550xp, I just recently acquired a new Oregon speed cut 16" .50 nk bar. I have several loops or Stihl .50 .325 16" chains, both chain & bar are 66dl, but I don't believe the Stihl chain is narrow kerf. Will it work on the nk bar or will I have clearance issues?

i have ran regular chain on a NK bar why don't you try it out? it worked for me.

 

[KenJax Tree]

It won't work on the 5 series saws. The chain rubs on the clutch cover.

 

[jake wells]

It won't work on the 5 series saws. The chain rubs on the clutch cover.

worked fine on my 545 i had back a few years ago ran stihl 23rs on it.

 

[KenJax Tree]

worked fine on my 545 i had back a few years ago ran stihl 23rs on it.

Hmmm...i could be wrong. I know some it works on and others it doesn't. Ask @SawTroll he knows.

 

[jake wells]

Hmmm...i could be wrong. I know some it works on and others it doesn't. Ask @SawTroll he knows.

no i will pass.

 

[concretegrazer]

It depends on the bar. I've ran rs on a nk bar on my 550 without issue. I think it was @Joe Kidd that said he has seen some issues.

 

[Farmchuck]

Guess my best bet is to just try it & see. Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[SawTroll]

Hmmm...i could be wrong. I know some it works on and others it doesn't. Ask @SawTroll he knows.

As far as I know it normally works on 346-family saws, but basically not on 550-family ones. It may be a matter of production tolerances though, so exceptions doesn't really surprise me.

Since those components aren't designed/meant to work together, it is just a bonus when they do, not a flaw when they don't.

Regardless, it should be possible to make it work on at least most saws where it doesn't work in the first place, by using shims around the bar bolts, next to the bar (making the bar artificially thicker at that point).

 

[Farmchuck]

As far as I know it normally works on 346-family saws, but basically not on 550-family ones. It may be a matter of production tolerances though, so exceptions doesn't really surprise me.

Since those components aren't designed/meant to work together, it is just a bonus when they do, not a flaw when they don't.

Regardless, it should be possible to make it work on at least most saws where it doesn't work in the first place, by using shims around the bar bolts, next to the bar (making the bar artificially thicker at that point).

Good idea! I suppose some flat washers would do the trick?

 

[jakethesnake]

Should

 

[SawTroll]

Good idea! I suppose some flat washers would do the trick?

Something like that - and it may vary if they should be used inside or outside the bar - or both. Many washers likely is thicker than needed though, I'm thinking really thin ones in the first place.