346xp best sprocket/chain combo

[Derf]

My 346xp came stock with .325 chain and 7-pin sprocket, but I've read that it can pull 3/8" pretty well (at least on 16"/41cm bar). Ported it supposedly cuts faster with 3/8" than with .325".

Q: Would 3/8" work better on a 7-pin rim or an 8-pin rim?

Q: Would 3/8" 7-pin still be faster than .325" with 8-pin?

 

[SquareFile]

346xp is not going to pull a 3/8-8. I'm not for sure if one is available in small hub except from danzco.

There's a lot of variables to your other question. Mostly the power of your saw and your sharpening skills to setup a chain for your saw. Its very easy to make a 3/8" chain suck the life out of a 50cc to where .325 will be more forgiving. The best way is to do the test yourself.

 

[MGoBlue]

GB makes one (8 pin). I just got it from LCS and put it on my 357.
I run 3/8 on my 346 w/ a 16" bar. Does just fine but I'm not sure about .325 so I can't comment as to which is faster.

 

[SquareFile]

GB makes one (8 pin). I just got it from LCS and put it on my 357.
I run 3/8 on my 346 w/ a 16" bar. Does just fine but I'm not sure about .325 so I can't comment as to which is faster.

Isn't a 357xp standard hub not small hub like a 346xp?

 

[CR888]

Lots more chain options in standard 3/8 if you want to run square or skip compared to 325. Actual cutter size is quite similar but the shorter pitch of 325 can be smoother. l run both but genrally prefer .325. We always tend to want to change the way an oem sets up their product but often the oem knows best and gets it right. Having said that oem's have both factory fitted .325/3\8 to 50cc units. l believe a seven pin is the better option for both chains.

 

[sunfish]

I run 3/8 and .325 chain on 346s'. Like em both and can't say one is better than the other.

 

[weedkilla]

I reckon you can gauge how well a 50cc saw will pull 3/8 7t by throwing a 325 8t on there.
Pretty similar chain speed.

After that it's just a matter of personal preference, smoothness of 325 on small limbs vs 3/8 being a slightly wider kerf and slightly longer between sharpenings. Commonality of chain also comes into it of course if you buy rolls.

The husky laminated nk 325 bar is about the lightest setup on a 346, and you can run standard 325 chain. That has its appeal too.

 

[SawTroll]

Isn't a 357xp standard hub not small hub like a 346xp?

The 357xp can be either, depending on when and where it was bought, and if the owner(s) have changed anything. Both options are in the IPLs.
It is the same with the 560xp family saws.

 

[SawTroll]

Try .325x7, ,325x8 and 3/8"x7 with a similar kind of chain (like Oregon LPX), and see what fits your cutting the best. There are a lot of variables (like the wood and the operator) that will have impact on what is preferable.

 

[Franny K]

The 357xp can be either, depending on when and where it was bought, and if the owner(s) have changed anything. Both options are in the IPLs.
It is the same with the 560xp family saws.

There are a lot of ipl's I pulled up the most modern non epa one and found it shows a 0.325 7 as a choice which I believe would make it a small spline. However the only way to buy the drum (via that sheet) is in a kit with a 3/8 7.

 

[sunfish]

The 357s' I have are standard spline.

 

[David Young]

I think if you are doing all around cutting .325x7 is tough to beat ecspecially if you are running it stock. 3/8 and the .325 8 pin may be a little faster but are tougher to keep "happy"

the thing I like about the .325 x 7 is its a little less grabby when limbing makes it a nicer tool to use.

David

 

[bwalker]

I have found that a ported 346 is much happier with a .325 16" combo in our upper MI hard woods. Cutting gopher wood would of course change this.

 

[SawTroll]

There are a lot of ipl's I pulled up the most modern non epa one and found it shows a 0.325 7 as a choice which I believe would make it a small spline. However the only way to buy the drum (via that sheet) is in a kit with a 3/8 7.

The IPLs aren't really clear at this point, but with the saws I mentioned, the drums that are listed for 3/8 are standard 7-spline, and the ones that are listed for .325 are small 7-spline.

They don't mention the .325x8 rims, or the small spline 3/8"x7 rims - but they do sell them anyway.

 

[SawTroll]

I think if you are doing all around cutting .325x7 is tough to beat ecspecially if you are running it stock. 3/8 and the .325 8 pin may be a little faster but are tougher to keep "happy"

the thing I like about the .325 x 7 is its a little less grabby when limbing makes it a nicer tool to use.

David

Limbing actually is where .325x8 really shines, at least here!

 

[David Young]

I can see that, I think the .325 makes it nice regardless of the sprocket. when blocking or making felling cuts i like the 7 pin. I think it compromises in a couple of different areas but overall is very useable. I have an oe pp346 that hauls the 3/8's with no problem I wouldn't try it on a stock saw unless it was square ground with shallow rakers.....maybe

David

 

[David Young]

Limbing actually is where .325x8 really shines, at least here!

actually where I am is similar to MI and where you are. I went to sweden years ago and it reminded me of parts of northern vermont.

 

[sunfish]

Ported or stock 346's pull 3/8 chain just fine, but it's more about what works best and what a person likes.

 

[Big_Wood]

I run 3/8's on my 550 and did on my past 346's. The 550/346 has no problem at all running 3/8's even in stock form although I prefer to run an LPX on it to smooth it out. No problem with .325 either. I got a bunch of bars for both but I like to stay with 3/8's.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Derf]

The IPLs aren't really clear at this point, but with the saws I mentioned, the drums that are listed for 3/8 are standard 7-spline, and the ones that are listed for .325 are small 7-spline.

They don't mention the .325x8 rims, or the small spline 3/8"x7 rims - but they do sell them anyway.

Thanks for that tip, the saw came with .325" 7 -pin rim (I was just happy it wasn't spur) so I should assume it's a small spline drum? I guess I'll check to see if my standard rims even fit on it.

What did you do with your 346xp? Did you have small spline drum and keep it .325" 7?