Husky 346xp

[twiztedsix]

I know down here in Texas, my rep said they wont release the 261 until all the 260's are gone, he said that there were about 400 left in the warehouse. I don't know if they already have the 261's in stock and are just waiting until all the old ones are gone though.

 

[PLAYINWOOD]

Yes, it'll pull 3/8, but you significantly hurt the cutting speed of the saw. Even on a ported saw, it will cut faster with .325.

Stihl makes .325 RSC, just like your "pro" 3/8. It's about matching the chain to the power head.

It's no secret that the 346 and 5100 will cut circles around a 260. I'm anxious to check out the MS261 though.

Brad you're gonna have to send that .325 to Canada for a proof run.

There is no .325 chain anybody has ever seen up here that will out cut properly filed 3/8's chain,8 pin, 9 pin its does not matter.Stihl,Oregon Carleton, whatever.



Race chain?? 3/8's comes into its own then and spanks .325.

As for saws, I have a ported 5100 and am eyeballing a 2152?(red 346 NE), and sold my 026 long ago.

 

[SawTroll]

I have both pitch chain for my ported 346xp and i far prefer the 3/8. I do only run a 16 in bar. I think allot depends on the wood your cutting, the 325 is not much good in spongy soft wood imo , i have not tried it in skip tho. We have no hard wood and all my big saws have 3/8 so it works out well that way too.

Sure, it always will depend on the exact chain model, and the wood + a few less important factors.

Porting the saw will favour 3/8", if both rims are 7-pin - but an 8-pin .325 one may even the odds.....

Anyway, the only way to really know is to try the options in your own wood, and as similar as possible chain models.

 

[SawTroll]

Yes, it'll pull 3/8, but you significantly hurt the cutting speed of the saw. Even on a ported saw, it will cut faster with .325.

Stihl makes .325 RSC, just like your "pro" 3/8. It's about matching the chain to the power head.

It's no secret that the 346 and 5100 will cut circles around a 260. I'm anxious to check out the MS261 though.

Yes, but Oregon 21LP is faster than 25RSC on my saws - but not by enough the care about for practical work. It basically is a scaled-down 73LP.

The 21LP also has quite a bit longer cutters, that will last longer.

 

[hamish]

Brad you're gonna have to send that .325 to Canada for a proof run.

There is no .325 chain anybody has ever seen up here that will out cut properly filed 3/8's chain,8 pin, 9 pin its does not matter.Stihl,Oregon Carleton, whatever.



Race chain?? 3/8's comes into its own then and spanks .325.

As for saws, I have a ported 5100 and am eyeballing a 2152?(red 346 NE), and sold my 026 long ago.

Hell yes there is alot of .325 chain up here that will out cut a 3/8" chain!! Same saw .325, cut with it then swap over to 3/8" i dont care if it is a 2cc saw or an 100 cc saw .325 will cut faster in out conditions (i'm only two hours away from you about...........and you dont have alot of trees left down there)

PS the 2153 is the red sister of the 346.

 

[SawTroll]

....
PS the 2153 is the red sister of the 346.

Yes, the 2152 is the sister of the 353.

 

[troutfisher]

A 346xp (45cc) pulls 3/8 just fine.........

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Troutfisher_photo/?action=view&current=346TL-1.mp4

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Troutfisher_photo/?action=view&current=346TL.mp4

 

[lone wolf]

Brad you're gonna have to send that .325 to Canada for a proof run.

There is no .325 chain anybody has ever seen up here that will out cut properly filed 3/8's chain,8 pin, 9 pin its does not matter.Stihl,Oregon Carleton, whatever.



Race chain?? 3/8's comes into its own then and spanks .325.

As for saws, I have a ported 5100 and am eyeballing a 2152?(red 346 NE), and sold my 026 long ago.

Are you saying on a 346 the 3/8 is faster?

 

[J.Walker]

Yes, it'll pull 3/8, but you significantly hurt the cutting speed of the saw. Even on a ported saw, it will cut faster with .325.

Stihl makes .325 RSC, just like your "pro" 3/8. It's about matching the chain to the power head.

It's no secret that the 346 and 5100 will cut circles around a 260. I'm anxious to check out the MS261 though.

I'm running Stihl 325 on my 2153 and 3/8's square ground on my 346. To me the 346 is faster.


.

 

[lone wolf]

I'm running Stihl 325 on my 2153 and 3/8's square ground on my 346. To me the 346 is faster.


.

On pine or hardwood ? logs or branches, and what bar?

 

[J.Walker]

Mostly hardwood logs under 12" Some pine, but pine is where the square ground chain flies.
For cutting branches 325 chain works well. Don't think it grabs real bad.
Both the 2153 and 346 have 16" bars. Both saws are ported but by different builders. Oh-yeah the 2153 is using a 357 carb.



.

 

[lone wolf]

Mostly hardwood logs under 12" Some pine, but pine is where the square ground chain flies.
For cutting branches 325 chain works well. Don't think it grabs real bad.
Both the 2153 and 346 have 16" bars. Both saws are ported but by different builders. Oh-yeah the 2153 is using a 357 carb.



.

Mine is stock do you think 3/8 in 16 - 18 oak would be slower than 325?

 

[J.Walker]

Red Oak is easy to cut, 3/8's should be fine.
The thing I find with 325 chain is I'm always searching for the perfect type of chain. Something like 3/8 chain. so why not just run 3/8's.


.

 

[SawTroll]

Mine is stock do you think 3/8 in 16 - 18 oak would be slower than 325?

My findings and some thoughts;

The .325 chain has to be Oregon LP or Stihl RSC, and it will be faster than 3/8" on any stock 50cc saw, I believe. At least that is the case on mine.
I am pretty sure the same may be the case on some larger saws as well, if the gearing is right. If you are comparing 3/8"x7 to .325x7 on a good 60cc saw, the 3/8 is bound to win - the same may happen on modded 50cc saws.

The bad impression of .325, that many have, most likely is because of all the crappy chain that is sold in .325 - 3/8" chain is more "uniform" in design and performance.

 

[lone wolf]

My findings and some thoughts;

The .325 chain has to be Oregon LP or Stihl RSC, and it will be faster than 3/8" on any stock 50cc saw, I believe. At least that is the case on mine.
I am pretty sure the same may be the case on some larger saws as well, if the gearing is right. If you are comparing 3/8"x7 to .325x7 on a good 60cc saw, the 3/8 is bound to win - the same may happen on modded 50cc saws.

The bad impression of .325, that many have, most likely is because of all the crappy chain that is sold in .325 - 3/8" chain is more "uniform" in design and performance.

That makes good sense thank you.

 

[J.W Younger]

I've done some seat of the pants testing with my 5100 with oregon and windsor .325 square filed on a 16" 66 d/l bar and with oreogn3/8 in lp,lg,cl and carlton all in 3/8 usin a 64 d/l bar.The oregon is faster than the carlton and I belive it is because of the cutter shape where the top and side plates meet.The carlton has more material in the inside corner.It seems to be the same problem with the .325 oregon due too the cutter being shorter just does not clear chips as well.
Of corse filing angle as well as cutter lenght and more variables all come into play but I belive the 3/8ths wins except with the carlton for the reason mentioned.

 

[SawTroll]

The bottom line is the same as usual - there is no universial answer - everyone has to find out what works best for him, in his wood, with his saw(s) (could be "hers" as well).

That means trying the different options!

Then again, consider how much minor differenses in cutting speed really matters to you......

 

[J.W Younger]

The bottom line is the same as usual - there is no universial answer - everyone has to find out what works best for him, in his wood, with his saw(s) (could be "hers" as well).

That means trying the different options!

Then again, consider how much minor differenses in cutting speed really matters to you......

Yeah, but ani't it cool to have a really fast chain?

 

[SawTroll]

Yeah, but ani't it cool to have a really fast chain?

Sure, I like to "play" a bit some times - with pitch, chain model and gearing!

 

[J.W Younger]

One thing I should have mentioned is all my testing with .325 has been with a 8 pin to keep the sprocket size close.I don't belive a 7 pin.325 would in any way be better since I've had no bogging issues with the 8 but one never knows.