Thread: Stihl .325 chain

I've been running Stihl 26RS chain on my 026. I like the way it handles, but when new the teeth are a lot shorter than other types of saw chain.
I actually looked at the 'safety sheet' that came with the new chain I bought today, and Stihl lists a 33/36RM chain for the 026. It also specifies a 13/64" file for that chain, as opposed to the 3/16" for the 26RM.
Any Stihl chain users out there familiar with these two types of chain and the differences?
I don't think I want to spend another $75 or so right now swapping out the bar, chain and sprocket to 3/8".

The saw is runnig GREAT! I think it just wasn't fully broken in yet when I got it, the running/power issues I had at the beginning have virtually disappeared. Been running Stihl 50-1 with prem. fuel, just like every other 2-cycle machine I own and it now runs and starts perfectly.

Hmmm.... 26RS is a good chain. I would use a 3/16 file for it like ya said. With a 026 I see no reason to jump up to 3/8 chain. I think the lil 026's do just fine with 26RS. There are acouple guys around here that run 3/8 chain on their 026's and they run the RM semi chisel chain. Course they run 46RS on their 046's too. Sometimes people think bigger is better for things that wern't ment to be.

Hi Brian, this topic was recently discussed wasn`t it? I don`t remember the title of the thread, but I suggested to someone that there are other .325 chains with much larger teeth. For example, Oregon 21LP which is a chisel that cuts very well on saws this size. Carlton also makes a .325 Narrow Kerf chain that has a larger tooth from what I am told. Jeff Sikkema can set you up with some of that. I understand that you and many others are diehard Stihl chain fans, but I would suggest that you try some of the new competition sometime. I don`t think that the new Stihl chain is as good as it used to be so you might end up liking a different brand if you try it. Russ

ra-ra-ra - what exactly is it that the stihl chain has that the cheap oregon does not - higher chrome content? my f... a... - maybe a decade ago - not so anymore - all the same commercial s... today - sorry - except for the pretty green/yellow wanklink

No green link on RS chain It is yellow, meaning it will cut, Green link on the safty chain.
I ask the pro cutters the difference. They say the Stihl chain definitely lasts longer, but sharpens harder. I got some Stihl files for them to try. Now they are not complaining about the sharpening.

I have noticed that the newer Stihl chain is easier to punch
out the rivets than the older chain. The dealership in town has
some old reels of chian, they are a lot harder to break. I do
like Carlton chain.
As far as recommending file sizes, I like to look at the chain
as cutter height varies a lot. And as the chisel gets filed back
a smaller diameter file may be needed. Stihl offers a wide range
of sizes for that reason, but most people do not get that involved
in chain sharpening.
Oregon makes good chain as well

We sell Stihl and Oregon now for 20 years. Seems to keep everybody pretty happy.

I was just looking oat the pamphlet that came in the chain box again, and I see where I made my mistake. I thought that the 33RS was a .325 chain, but it's 3/8.
What I'm interested in is if Stihl (or Oregon) makes another style chain in .325 besides the 26RS (which I like, but teeth are shorter) or the 26RM (which I don't like). I prefer the chisel style teeth, they seem to cut faster and straighter for me than the RM.

Hey Brian, check out these Oregon chains, top to bottom, 73LG which is 3/8s chisel, 21LG which is .325 chisel and 34LG which is also .325 chisel. Notice how close in size the 21LP and 73LG are. Sabre and Carlton also make narrow kerf, NK, chains that are similar in size to the 21 LP. Russ

Whoops! Should have refreshed my memory before listing the order. Revised listing, top down, 73LG, 34LG, 21LP

That is exactly what I was looking for. I assume that the 21LP is .063 gauge?

Hi Brian, no actually all of the chains I`ve shown are .058, I believe you want 22LP for .063. Russ