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.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

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.






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.


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...

36$ is pretty cheap for a lite bar.

 

[Freak007]

View attachment 46735436$ is pretty cheap for a lite bar.

It is super cheap. Unfortunately I have heard stories/seen pics of the epoxy inserts falling out of those bars. Apparently they are not dovetailed like the Sugi and Tsumura bars are.

Also, I haven't seen that bar available for a Stihl.

 

[Freak007]

For those who may care, and for the sake of sharing information. I think I figured out (with 99% certainty) the difference between the Tsumura PK and SK bars...

As I dig through the Tsumura catalog, I see they list the SR/SK as "Replaceable solid sproket nose slim guide bar. SR type is a .325 pitch guide bar with low kick back specification" (11 tooth).

SK is the lightweight version of the SR.

They don't list a "PK" bar, but in the replacement nose sections, they list "48SR82" as an .325 x .050 11 tooth replacement for SR/SK bars.

They also list "48PV82" As a .325 x .050 12 tooth replacement for FV/FK bars... It seems FK is likely PK. SR/SK bars are *only* .325 where FK/FV are .325 to .404

SR/SK = Narrow Kerf
PK = Standard Kerf

Still not sure what difference it makes, beyond making sure you order the correct tip if you have to replace one, because they list both the SK and the PK as being compatible with Oregon 95 chain, which I understand to be NK only?

Regardless... that's what I have come up with.

 

[Freak007]

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

Much appreciated! Another one added to my list to look for...


I really appreciate everyone's insight and help. So far I guess I have identified a couple part numbers that I will search for.

GB - sn18-50pn
Tsumura - 201SK2 or 201SR2
Sugihara - ST2M-0J45P-A or ST2U-0J45P-A
Cannon - CSM-S1-18-50-2

So far, The only ones I have been able to find new are the Sugi ST2U, and Cannon, and new they are a bit more than I would like to pay... Although the Sugi price isn't terrible, so it may be where I land if I can't find something else. Based on what I am seeing for Husky bars in similar sizes, the GB and Tsumura Solid seem like they should be in the $60 range, if I can find one.

Archerplus told me that they have (for the first time) decided to import some of the Tsumura 201SK2, but they are not expecting them to arrive until closer to Christmas.

I guess I'll be reaching out to some vendors tomorrow to see what I can find, now that I have a pretty good idea of what is out there.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

FWIW, I have been using Stihl 23 RS Pro (supposedly NK?) on "regular" bars with no ill effects. I don't have any nub chains, so I'm not saying they wont pinch, but so far, I can't tell any difference.

For decades, Stihl 325 chain was .063 and Husky used .050 It is taking a while to get AM bars for Stihl mount .325/.050

You couldn't GIVE me a .325/.063 chain today!

 

[Freak007]

FWIW, I have been using Stihl 23 RS Pro (supposedly NK?) on "regular" bars with no ill effects. I don't have any nub chains, so I'm not saying they wont pinch, but so far, I can't tell any difference.

For decades, Stihl 325 chain was .063 and Husky used .050 It is taking a while to get AM bars for Stihl mount .325/.050

You couldn't GIVE me a .325/.063 chain today!

I have a few loops of 16" .063 left that I will use up on the 026. But setting up my "new" 261 I would prefer the longer bar and with the Stihl 23 Pro and 33 X-Cut chains, I see absolutely no reason to stay "married" to the .063. Once what I have is gone, the 026 will also get an 18 x .050.

But, as I have seen, finding a true NK bar for a Stihl is definitely a challenge. I do know the Light 04 and E bar are both thinner than the Tsumura FV (.166 vs .175), so I guess they qualify? I'd like to find something "nicer" if I can though...

I know alot of guys are running the Stihl 23 and Husky 33 chains on a standard bar. But I haven't heard for certain if they are able to use that bar for the full life of the chain. I'd be very disappointed to learn the hard way that I can only use half the chain life, especially if a little effort in preparation can prevent it.

On the flip side, I do have a bench sander, and access to a full machine shop, so it shouldn't be too difficult to shave .005 off each side if it came down to it. But then if I ever had to replace the nose, I'd have machine it down also. And with that comes the question of rivet strength amd such... Just a situation I would like to avoid completely if possible.

 

[sawmikaze]

I have a few loops of 16" .063 left that I will use up on the 026. But setting up my "new" 261 I would prefer the longer bar and with the Stihl 23 Pro and 33 X-Cut chains, I see absolutely no reason to stay "married" to the .063. Once what I have is gone, the 026 will also get an 18 x .050.

But, as I have seen, finding a true NK bar for a Stihl is definitely a challenge. I do know the Light 04 and E bar are both thinner than the Tsumura FV (.166 vs .175), so I guess they qualify? I'd like to find something "nicer" if I can though...

I know alot of guys are running the Stihl 23 and Husky 33 chains on a standard bar. But I haven't heard for certain if they are able to use that bar for the full life of the chain. I'd be very disappointed to learn the hard way that I can only use half the chain life, especially if a little effort in preparation can prevent it.

On the flip side, I do have a bench sander, and access to a full machine shop, so it shouldn't be too difficult to shave .005 off each side if it came down to it. But then if I ever had to replace the nose, I'd have machine it down also. And with that comes the question of rivet strength amd such... Just a situation I would like to avoid completely if possible.

50 gauge NK cuts faster...obviously.

But there's things about it I don't like.