I finally took the plunge and got a 500i at a local Ace Hardware. It came with an 18" bar which will be fine with lots of things but I also want a 36". I have the 462 and my longest bar for that is a 30", along with a 25" and a 20" so I can use those on the 500i as well. But recently I've been using my Alaskan saw mill and the 30" just wasn't long enough for some of the bigger logs so I really want the 36". My local stores (Colorado Springs) don't appear to have them in stock and look at me like I'm crazy when I mention the 36". If I'm going to order one online, where do you recommend I go?
Long bar suppliers
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Madsens in Centralia, WA. Look them up, phone them. They are professional and nice.
what is the mount # of bar. ( I am not up on the newer Stilh's)my 084 uses a Oregon # 3002 , Ahlborn Equipment - forester bars to 72" sprocket nose .050 or .063in 3/8 pitch, but they can change out the tip for . 404 or maybe .325
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It should be a 3003 mount on a 500i, correct? Are you looking for a Stihl OEM bar, or another manufacturer?
It amazes me that they sold a 500i new with a 18" bar, I wouldn't have ever imagined one coming with less than a 20"
It amazes me that they sold a 500i new with a 18" bar, I wouldn't have ever imagined one coming with less than a 20"
Sugihara, tsumura, stihl, Oregon and many others all make 36" bars in the 3003/D025 mount. Just go online and buy whichever you prefer. I love stihl light bars, but the cost is a bit much imo. Solid bars are also a bit better for an Alaskan mill as well. Also, if you're running a 36" mill, you'll need more like a 40" bar to get all 36" of cutting area out of it. Don't make my mistake... have 36" and a 40" bars. The 40" just stays with the mill.
have a 60" on a 4ft mill
Thanks for all the replies. It looks like my post was a bit hasty. I hunted some more today and actually found one in town at Big R. It's the Rollomatic ES in .050 gauge. I might have preferred .063 gauge but I don't want to open that can of worms in this thread and .050 is what they had so I got it. I don't mind that it isn't the Light bar, since the primary use will be with the mill. $109 for the bar and $62 for the chain.
As for the 500i being sold with an 18" bar, I thought it was odd as well, but perhaps that is why it was a good price, at $1,440 for the wrap-handle version.
As for the 500i being sold with an 18" bar, I thought it was odd as well, but perhaps that is why it was a good price, at $1,440 for the wrap-handle version.
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I have that same bar for my 660, the .050 isn't terrible. You can likely find Stihl chains for less than that on Ebay if you search, and if you are OK with off brand you can probably find Forester or Carlton for around $30-$35
Thanks for the good info.
I admit that I didn't do any research on the chain. Just bought it because I knew it fit and they had it... oh well. When I have to buy another I'll look around a bit more. As for Big R, it was my first time in that store even though I guess it's been there for quite a while. Kind of a strange store... albeit fun! It's one fourth cowboy clothing, (more flannel and denim than you can shake a stick at!), one half hardware of all sorts, and one fourth hunting/camping gear. They actually have a pretty large section with just horse related stuff. So I browsed around and I actually ended up buying a gun as well! I've been looking for a sidearm for critter protection while big game hunting but at a low price. I'll be hunting elk in the Rockies alone this season. I finally found a 10mm at a very affordable price and took the plunge. I probably should spend too much time in that store given the condition of my bank account. 
Bill G
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Were you able to walk out that day with the sidearm after the FBI check? I hope so!I admit that I didn't do any research on the chain. Just bought it because I knew it fit and they had it... oh well. When I have to buy another I'll look around a bit more. As for Big R, it was my first time in that store even though I guess it's been there for quite a while. Kind of a strange store... albeit fun! It's one fourth cowboy clothing, (more flannel and denim than you can shake a stick at!), one half hardware of all sorts, and one fourth hunting/camping gear. They actually have a pretty large section with just horse related stuff. So I browsed around and I actually ended up buying a gun as well! I've been looking for a sidearm for critter protection while big game hunting but at a low price. I'll be hunting elk in the Rockies alone this season. I finally found a 10mm at a very affordable price and took the plunge. I probably should spend too much time in that store given the condition of my bank account.
Also I will admit after I did the math on that chain and the shipping to your fine state I honestly would not have saved you much more than maybe $12 and we both no that is nothing compared to convenience
As of October 1st Colorado has a three day waiting period for all firearm purchases. No problem for me and it even gives you the chance to reconsider what could have been a hasty decision. Anyway, I'll pick it up tomorrow.
Bill G
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Long before Reagan got shot and the gun control folks got nasty, Illinois had a 1 day and 3 day waiting period.
I make "jewelry" for 500i saws, if interested.
As far as the bar goes, I like Sugihara and Total Super.
Stihl makes a standard and light bar I think, also, in rather long lengths.
As far as the bar goes, I like Sugihara and Total Super.
Stihl makes a standard and light bar I think, also, in rather long lengths.
We have several Big R stores around here. Very nice store. Ours stocks a bunch of Husky and some pro level Stihl equipment. They never sell any of it.
The one by our place opened during covid. They had set aside a bunch of reloading stuff when they planned the store a year earlier. When they put out the powder and primers it went fast at pre-panic prices. That was the last time I saw Bullseye, 2400, or Unique in any store. The limit was five each but I was feeling magnanimous so I only bought two.
As for waiting periods, what if I already have a gun? What bad decision am I going to rethink during the wait if I already have other guns? I never understood that logic.
The one by our place opened during covid. They had set aside a bunch of reloading stuff when they planned the store a year earlier. When they put out the powder and primers it went fast at pre-panic prices. That was the last time I saw Bullseye, 2400, or Unique in any store. The limit was five each but I was feeling magnanimous so I only bought two.
As for waiting periods, what if I already have a gun? What bad decision am I going to rethink during the wait if I already have other guns? I never understood that logic.
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My poor wording, you're correct, they aren't "off brand"
Non-OEM would have been better
Non-OEM would have been better
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