Bar mounting question.

[AOD]

Is there anything wrong with running a bar that's slot is a bit big for the bar studs?

I have a heck of a time finding bars that fit my PP330. The one it came with was a cheap Poulan 22" bar thats too much for it, so I modded an old 20" Jonsered bar to fit over the studs, and it worked allright but was still too much for that saw, so I found an old Homelite 16" hardnose that fits good but the slot is too wide. The chain circulates around the bar easily and it sounds good when running it in free air. As long as I have the cover nuts good and tight and the chain properly tensioned I don't see any problem.

Bars for this saw seem to be hard to find. The Bailey's bar selector keeps giving me .325 bas but that saw is running 3/8", and the Oregon bars in the catalog don't list that model, although I have a hunch it uses the same bars as the Macs.

 

[alderman]

Just a thought.

If you cross indexed the .325 to find the proper mount, wouldn't the 3/8 also index to that same mount set up?

 

[AOD]

If you cross indexed the .325 to find the proper mount, wouldn't the 3/8 also index to that same mount set up?

I've tried that and got lost in all the .325 ArborPro bars and other stuff that's not available or won't easily cross reference to 3/8". I might go back on Baileys site and futz around some more.

 

[super3]

Go to the hardware and get a couple of spacers. File down to fit.

 

[Modifiedmark]

That 330 uses a K041 mount, and yes the full 3/8's version's are a little harder to find. There really hard to find in a power match type bar.

Try a small Husky K095 bar. You will have to file the adjusting holes up and into the bottom of the bar slot for it to oil, but it should be fine.

Compare the two side by side and you will see what I mean right away. The bar slots are the same size but the K041 oils throught the adjuster hole, and the K095 has a seperate oil hole.

 

[AOD]

Yeah I think I had one of those Husky bars once that was the wrong size. I should just convert it to run .325 and have a wider variety of bar mounting options. But in the meantime, will it do any harm to run it with the Homelite bar on it? I mean, most saws have a little play in the bar slot on the studs, what will a bit more hurt as long as the nuts are tight?

 

[AOD]

Here's what I found...

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=ORPM+18+EP50&catID=695

I think that's it, a bit of an oddball, and expensive. I think I am better off converting to .325, but I would need a clutch removal tool.

 

[Modifiedmark]

No don't use the Homelite bar your asking for trouble, it will bugger up the studs in time, and the oiler holes are way off on it.

The small Husky bars in 3/8's are easy to find. If you wanted to switch to .325 that might not be a bad idea, on that saw, as like you said the K041 bars in .325 are all over the place.

I tried a quick comparison on my PP365 between .325 8tooth and 3/8's 7 tooth and really didn't see much difference, between the two.

The Poulan clutch tool is a good investment and was only like $4 from the dealer.