Why is there an 0.050 AND 0.058 gauge

[r7000]

and I am also tempted to ask why both a 0.325" and 0.375" pitch exists.
but for gauge (thickness of the chain drive links that ride in the bar groove) does any one know why (technical or historical) the 0.050" and 0.058" both exist? For 8-thousandths of an inch it seems stupid.
Dealing with a rancher 450 which has on it a 20" bar 0.058 gauge needs replacement, which i am pretty sure is a husqv bar and is what came on the saw when bought.

 

[Leafy]

Also interested what knucklehead decided that they needed to be different by less than 3 human hairs width.

 

[Fish]

Also interested what knucklehead decided that they needed to be different by less than 3 human hairs width.

Pubic or head?

 

[Stump Shot]

In days long gone past, when just the hard nosed bars where all that was available you would start out with gauge .050" and when it wore out and didn't cut good any longer you would have it ground out and resurfaced to the next gauge, .058" and when that wore out .063" gauge would be utilized before expiring the bar. If too large of a jump were made there would not be enough support for the chain and rapid wear would render the bar useless in short order. Then the sprocket tip happened.
Flash forward to today, the majority of bars are made to simply be thrown away, very few shops even have a bar shop in them any longer, let alone someone that even knows what one is or how to use it. So the manufacturers decided in an effort to keep folks buying from them to pick a gauge the other guy didn't. Husqvarna .058" and Stihl .063". Both have .050".

 

[KZ1000]

I ran .058 vars for years and when .063 would slide around the bar I changed. Never needed a bar shop, grind the edges and keep the top flat.

 

[Homemade]

For inquiring minds to ask questions.

 

[Deets066]

For guys to run .050 race chains in .058 bars

 

[huskyboy]

I don’t like .058, .050 and .063 for me.

 

[Wilhelm]

.043"/1.1mm
.050"/1.3mm
.058"/1.5mm
.063"/1.6mm

The reasons for their existence can be plenty, I guess some even make sense.
But nowadays I am pretty sure it's mostly marketing.

I once walked into one of the two local Stihl shops and asked for Stihl Rapid Duro 3 chain in .058".
Guy who turned out to be the owner said there is no such thing, .063" for Stihl saws only. Unrelated to chain gauge, but the guy was also extremely impolite about a second inquiry I made so I walked out and never stepped into that shop again.
I did get an original in box Stihl RD3 loop in .058" off eBay eventually.

The different pitch sizes make sense to optimally utilize a specific chainsaws power - larger pitch=larger tooth/cutter profile=larger cc saw.
You won't be using .404" on a 40-50cc saw as the engine would simply stall.
Then again if You'd be using .325" or 3/8" LowProfile/Picco on a 80+cc chainsaw You wouldn't be able to fully utilize the saws power.
General consensus is that .325" cuts smoother than .375" (3/8") does - shorter pitch means more teeth for the same bar lenght.

 

[Carhartt]

When your done with this, explain to me why 1 7/8 and 2 in balls coexist.

 

[KZ1000]

When your done with this, explain to me why 1 7/8 and 2 in balls coexist.

So you don't take your log splitter instead of your boat to the lake silly!!!!

 

[r7000]

Is tooth height, profile, kerf and whatever else not independent, or can be indepedent, of pitch and gauge?

Pitch being distance longer of shorter between links I would think its only purpose is a smaller pitch offers a tighter bend radius at the bar tip as well a smaller diameter drive sprocket?

 

[jakethesnake]

Not exactly. The hard nose bars for example you could run any pitch on so long as the guage is correct. They can all make the bend around the nose. 3/8 and .325 sprockets are pretty damn close in diameter Tooth spacing for sure are closer together on smaller guage. But hieght can vary

 

[jakethesnake]

Height

 

[Ryan Browne]

It's so you are more likely to be stuck only being able to get what you need from a particular source. Stihl puts .325 .063 bars on a ton of saws. If you need a chain for one of them and don't have time to wait for an online order, you're stuck with shopping at the stihl dealer. Same with husky and their .058 nonsense.

 

[GCJenks204]

It's so you are more likely to be stuck only being able to get what you need from a particular source. Stihl puts .325 .063 bars on a ton of saws. If you need a chain for one of them and don't have time to wait for an online order, you're stuck with shopping at the stihl dealer. Same with husky and their .058 nonsense.

Except up here where even the .325 is .050...

 

[KZ1000]

Except up here where even the .325 is .050...

Why yes! But where I come from in redneck territory .325 .050 = .375 so you have 3/8's and all is good!

 

[Fish]

These days, one's ball size is very important!!!

 

[Cat 525]

So when you grab the wrong gauge for the right bar when it's brutally cold out you can freeze your hands and cuss husky or whoever! Just more money for the makers!

 

[Fish]

It is important to not wander into the wrong bar!!!!