HELP! Stihl 18" .325 x 50

[Freak007]

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.

You're right. The graphics shouldn't be *the* deciding factor. But they are definitely *a* factor, especially if there are others high-quality options that don't look like they came from you 4 y/o niece's art class.

 

[Freak007]

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.

I appreciate the candid feedback. I'd take an ugly but quality bar over pretty junk any day...

 

[Freak007]

GB Titanium®ProTOP Chainsaw Bar SN18-50PA

GB®’s premium professional chainsaw bar is designed to out-perform all other products on the market. Features & Benefits include: • One-piece Titanium alloy steel body • Laser-cut for precision shape and fit. • Precision-ground grooves. • Hardest wearing rails in the world. • Easy nose...

www.northamericasupply.com

On this side of the pond:

Prowadnica GB Titanium ProTOP .325″, 1,3 mm, 45 cm w sklepie GRUBE

Prowadnica GB Titanium ProTOP 45 cm: doskonała trwałość i wydajność dla profesjonalistów. Zamów już teraz!

grube.pl

View attachment 466961

This includes 23% VAT (consumer sales tax).

Ok, when I look at GB website, they don't show a .325 x .050 in the pro-top. I *think* the 1st link is for a 3/8, the page doesn't specify. The Stihl PN they list is a 3/8...

The second certainly seems to be what I am looking for... But I cannot seem to find a North American source. I'll dig deeper on that one...

 

[el33t]

Ok, when I look at GB website, they don't show a .325 x .050 in the pro-top. I *think* the 1st link is for a 3/8, the page doesn't specify. The Stihl PN they list is a 3/8...

Sorry, I had several pages open and posted this link, even though I had already noticed that it was 3/8 (PA instead of PN). Unfortunately, in other places with delivery to the US, it costs over $100.

 

[sawmikaze]

I appreciate the candid feedback. I'd take an ugly but quality bar over pretty junk any day...

If you're only gonna use it occasionally or for photo ops it's fine, if you're gonna actually use it all the time I personally wouldn't waste your money, that sugihara bar that was posted is a good option. They last a good while.

 

[Lions fan]

There's a .325x .050x 74DL Total Super Bar on Ebay. Offer him $50 and see if he bites.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

The sugihara bars are some of the toughest bars I've ever used , they barely discolored with a slight pinch in the rail and a incredibly hard to bend.
They are lighter? Not really, compared to the other light bar options.

 

[HumBurner]

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.

Yup

Not meant for daily drivers, in my opinion. I also bought one early in their days, and the laminate split/separated along the last third of the bar, as well as the nose rails separating.


I bought one Forester bar and was not pleased with it either. The nose came loose/uneven with the rails. After retightening and putting in a new bolt, it still sat uneven with the rails. It worked, but the nose got looser and looser over time. Replaced with a new nose after 20 tanks or so and still wouldnt stay tight.

Maybe I am a magnet for lemons......

 

[sawmikaze]

Yup

Not meant for daily drivers, in my opinion. I also bought one early in their days, and the laminate split/separated along the last third of the bar, as well as the nose rails separating.


I bought one Forester bar and was not pleased with it either. The nose came loose/uneven with the rails. After retightening and putting in a new bolt, it still sat uneven with the rails. It worked, but the nose got looser and looser over time. Replaced with a new nose after 20 tanks or so and still wouldnt stay tight.

Maybe I am a magnet for lemons......

Not a daily driver at all...

 

[sawmikaze]

The sugihara bars are some of the toughest bars I've ever used , they barely discolored with a slight pinch in the rail and a incredibly hard to bend.
They are lighter? Not really, compared to the other light bar options.

I agree, I have a 28" sugi that has an incredible amount of time on it that could definitely use a new tip, but the rail wear on it has been really good.

 

[Freak007]

Sorry, I had several pages open and posted this link, even though I had already noticed that it was 3/8 (PA instead of PN). Unfortunately, in other places with delivery to the US, it costs over $100.

That's what I am finding also. The .325 x .050 exists, but not in the GB catalog, and not in North America.

Getting one here puts it at the same price as the Sugi, which is a great bar. Might as well order the Sugi.

If you're only gonna use it occasionally or for photo ops it's fine, if you're gonna actually use it all the time I personally wouldn't waste your money, that sugihara bar that was posted is a good option. They last a good while.

The sugihara bars are some of the toughest bars I've ever used , they barely discolored with a slight pinch in the rail and a incredibly hard to bend.
They are lighter? Not really, compared to the other light bar options.

I agree, I have a 28" sugi that has an incredible amount of time on it that could definitely use a new tip, but the rail wear on it has been really good.

Definitely a tool that will be used. I have nothing against Sugi bars. But for this application, I would prefer a solid bar. It's hard to justify the cost of a light bar for 18"... It is on my short list.

Yup

Not meant for daily drivers, in my opinion. I also bought one early in their days, and the laminate split/separated along the last third of the bar, as well as the nose rails separating.


I bought one Forester bar and was not pleased with it either. The nose came loose/uneven with the rails. After retightening and putting in a new bolt, it still sat uneven with the rails. It worked, but the nose got looser and looser over time. Replaced with a new nose after 20 tanks or so and still wouldnt stay tight.

Maybe I am a magnet for lemons......

Thank you for the feedback

It is hard for me to seriously consider the Forester bars when a Stihl Light 04 or Oregon Powercut can be had for basically the same money. I just don't see the value for the money...

 

[el33t]

That's what I am finding also. The .325 x .050 exists, but not in the GB catalog, and not in North America.

Getting one here puts it at the same price as the Sugi, which is a great bar. Might as well order the Sugi.

It is listed as a new product on their recently launched website, so the lack of availability is understandable. Perhaps you should inquire with the US distributor (e.g. wallingfords.com), since it is available in Europe at a price less than 50% higher than Light 04?

TITANIUM PROTOP - GB Forestry Equipment

CHAINSAW GUIDE BARS

gbforestry.com

 

[Mad Professor]

GB Titanium®ProTOP Chainsaw Bar SN18-50PA

GB®’s premium professional chainsaw bar is designed to out-perform all other products on the market. Features & Benefits include: • One-piece Titanium alloy steel body • Laser-cut for precision shape and fit. • Precision-ground grooves. • Hardest wearing rails in the world. • Easy nose...

www.northamericasupply.com

On this side of the pond:

Prowadnica GB Titanium ProTOP .325″, 1,3 mm, 45 cm w sklepie GRUBE

Prowadnica GB Titanium ProTOP 45 cm: doskonała trwałość i wydajność dla profesjonalistów. Zamów już teraz!

grube.pl

View attachment 466961

This includes 23% VAT (consumer sales tax).

GB bars are good stuff. Not much dealer support/Dealers in USA though.

They also make long 3003 mount bars in 3/8 picco/lo pro. I use those for CS milling.