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HELP! Stihl 18" .325 x 50

Freak007

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Looking to get a nice 18" .325 x .050 bar for my MS261. Not a fan of the gaudy graphics on the new Stihl bars, so hoping to find something else. I am not looking to pay Cannon prices.

The Tsumara 201SR2 looks like it would be just the ticket, but I cannot seem to find one.

Sugi also lists both laminated and Light in their catalog, but again I cannot seem to find one of those either...

I'd even be happy with a plain Stihl E bar, but from what I am finding the Stihl Light 04 is basically the only viable option?
 

Freak007

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Freak007

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Thank you.

I'll keep this in mind. Not sure I want to spend the money on a "light" 18" bar. Especially when it is 2x the price of the Light 04...

I may have to do some soul searching and decide just how much I dislike those graphics. 🤣
 

Freak007

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I’ve been a big fan of the Oregon VersaCut bars. They’re cheap and light. I’ve also been impressed with the pro style Forester bars.

View attachment 466893

Looks like Versacut is available in .050. My local dealer didn't have it, but it is easy enough to order. Price is reasonable, doesn't look like a bad option.

The Forester bars you are referring to is the one with the replaceable sprocket?
 

jacktheripper

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Looks like Versacut is available in .050. My local dealer didn't have it, but it is easy enough to order. Price is reasonable, doesn't look like a bad option.

The Forester bars you are referring to is the one with the replaceable sprocket?
Correct. The pro and the platinum are both good.
 

Freak007

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I am not finding the Forester Platinum, Featherlite, or replaceable sprocket bars in .050, only in .063

I also remember seeing somewhere, that someone had the epoxy insert fall out on a featherlite bar. Apparently they are not dovetailed in like the Sugi and Tsumara bars...

I am finding these, but not sure how they compare to the Stihl E/Light 04.

As much as I dislike the graphics on the new Stihl bars, I don't want to go backwards in quality to avoid it.

 

sawmikaze

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I’ve been a big fan of the Oregon VersaCut bars. They’re cheap and light. I’ve also been impressed with the pro style Forester bars.

View attachment 466893

Those things don't last at all, I bought one when they first came out that wasn't bad but the most recent one lasted about 2 months of daily use and you could probably bite it in half.
 

PA Dan

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This is a small mount (3005) bar.

The 3003 bar is 3003 008 3317, or 3003 812 3317 (Farm Boss graphics)

However, the new bars use the same part numbers as the old E bars. So, unless someone has some old stock, ordering either of those numbers will get you a Light 04.
My bad
 

Freak007

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Those things don't last at all, I bought one when they first came out that wasn't bad but the most recent one lasted about 2 months of daily use and you could probably bite it in half.
Noted.

I have never used them, but I do know the Versacut is made in China. Oregon markets them as a "prosumer" bar, but I don't know any professional that would be satisfied with less than 2 months on a new bar...

Since "two months of daily use" can vary substantially from one person to the next, do you by chance remember what chains you were using, and if/how many you wore out on that bar?
 

jacktheripper

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Those things don't last at all, I bought one when they first came out that wasn't bad but the most recent one lasted about 2 months of daily use and you could probably bite it in half.
I’m just a firewood noooob. And I have many saws that I rotate through to share the load lol
 

Outback

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You can sand off or spray paint the stihl bar if you really can't stomach the "art"....... The paint job really shouldn't be the deciding factor.
 

Duane(Pa)

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Murphy's law says if you want the bar to stay nice, it will peel right off. If you want it to go away it will be there forever!
You can sand off or spray paint the stihl bar if you really can't stomach the "art"....... The paint job really shouldn't be the deciding factor.
 

sawmikaze

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Noted.

I have never used them, but I do know the Versacut is made in China. Oregon markets them as a "prosumer" bar, but I don't know any professional that would be satisfied with less than 2 months on a new bar...

Since "two months of daily use" can vary substantially from one person to the next, do you by chance remember what chains you were using, and if/how many you wore out on that bar?

Either full or semi chisel chains, depended on the job.

On a 261.

I don't know how many chains, I can't keep track of that stuff. The rails were super soft and the noses let go with any substantial use. I think it's like a lot of things these days, the price is going up and the quality is going down.

I agree the new stihl bars look like a snow cone at a pride parade, but they are a better quality compared to the versacuts.

As far as the forester goes I couldn't tell you, I never used one for any measurable amount of time.
 

el33t

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Thank you.

I'll keep this in mind. Not sure I want to spend the money on a "light" 18" bar. Especially when it is 2x the price of the Light 04...

I may have to do some soul searching and decide just how much I dislike those graphics. 🤣


On this side of the pond:

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This includes 23% VAT (consumer sales tax).
 
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