Bar and chain for milling

[JCJessen]

So I got the MS 064. (See this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/milling-with-jonsered-2083-turbo.305519/ )

Now I need some help with a 36” bar and chain to go with it.


The local dealer recommended me to go low profile:
Bar: Stihl 36” 3/8”P 1,3mm (0.050) ES: http://www.lytek.dk/shop/svaerd-36-90cm-3969p.html (193 US$)
Chain: Stihl 3/8 1,3 mm - 5gr: http://www.lytek.dk/shop/savkaede-3-8-5171p.html (40 US$)

Would that be a good choice?

The LO PRO bar is quite expensive but I haven’t found I much cheaper. On the other hand. I can get a nice 36” 1.6mm (0.63) Iggesund R2 Pro bar for only 79$ ( http://www.dansk-skovkontor.dk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_category_id=0&virtuemart_product_id=8311 ) but I am concerned that the 064 will have trouble pulling a standard 3/8 ripping chain.

Any advice would be much appreciated

JC

 

[Ferguson system]

I prefer regular 3/8" over 3/8" LP. Sturdier bar and chain and it oils much better. File the chain with a 10 degree angle opposed to a regular chain, which has a 30-35 degree angle.

Iggesund R2 for Stihl with the 3003 mount is also available in 1.5mm.

 

[Marshy]

Wow, price on bar and chain seems high but I see you are in Denmark. You might want to ask this guy (stickintheface) what he can do for a 36" bar shipped to you. I believe he is in Canada and he quoted me $60 for a 42" Oregon bar shipped to the US.

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/oregon-saw-chain-100-rolls-and-bars.305546/

Also regarding chain for milling, you might just want to buy a loop of milling chain unless you have some good background with filing and know what angles make a good milling chain. If you have the desire to learn the guys on the milling forum will be willing to share their secreates.

 

[John Lerum]

Just cut my first slabs today with a jonsered 2094 and 36" bar, it did quite well. Soft wood roughly 30" in diameter. Ive cut for over 10 years but never had a chance to mill

 

[IyaMan]

I don't use LP, but from what I understood, it is best suited for shorter milling bars, less than 28". And I think you may need to change the drive sprocket to handle LP.

I believe @BobL uses LP chain, so hopefully he can give better advice.

I am concerned that the 064 will have trouble pulling a standard 3/8 ripping chain.

You should have no problems with standard 3/8, though 36" may be getting to the edge of an 064's power, especially if milling 30"+ hardwood.

Also, consider an aux oiler

 

[CTYank]

There are all sorts of ripping chain available. Some, like WoodsmanPro 30RP are full-comp. I've found that in ~30" hickory, their 30SCS (semi-chisel full-skip) chain works just as well, besides being notably sharper off the reel. I still use that 30SCS with std crosscutting filing angles, just run the file a touch lower in the gullet for a tiny bit lower sharpness angle. A real PLUS, being able to run the same chain crosscutting & ripping. I'm not the only one who's discovered that. Oiling of chain w/32" bar on 576AT cranked to the max seems to be fine in bitternut hickory and black locust. Drive links & side straps still look like new after ~6 tankfuls. Oil & mix run out about the same time- another PLUS.

Of course all saw chain should be kept razor-sharp at all times, most especially for milling. Those 10-minute cuts can tax things a mite: chain, bar, sawyer.

 

[BobL]

I don't use LP, but from what I understood, it is best suited for shorter milling bars, less than 28". And I think you may need to change the drive sprocket to handle LP.
I believe @BobL uses LP chain, so hopefully he can give better advice.
You should have no problems with standard 3/8, though 36" may be getting to the edge of an 064's power, especially if milling 30"+ hardwood.
Also, consider an aux oiler

I'm using 3/8 LP on a 441 with a 25" bar and a modified 404 drive sprocket.
The mill I'm using it on has a max cut of 24" but above 20" I use the BIL mill alaskan (with 880 and 42" bar and 3/8 full comp semichisel) as this is such a nice machine to use.
In our hard woods 20" is as wide as I'm prepared to cut because the does stretch quite a bit.

 

[SeMoTony]

So I got the MS 064. (See this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/milling-with-jonsered-2083-turbo.305519/ )

Now I need some help with a 36” bar and chain to go with it.


The local dealer recommended me to go low profile:
Bar: Stihl 36” 3/8”P 1,3mm (0.050) ES: http://www.lytek.dk/shop/svaerd-36-90cm-3969p.html (193 US$)
Chain: Stihl 3/8 1,3 mm - 5gr: http://www.lytek.dk/shop/savkaede-3-8-5171p.html (40 US$)

Would that be a good choice?

The LO PRO bar is quite expensive but I haven’t found I much cheaper. On the other hand. I can get a nice 36” 1.6mm (0.63) Iggesund R2 Pro bar for only 79$ ( http://www.dansk-skovkontor.dk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_category_id=0&virtuemart_product_id=8311 ) but I am concerned that the 064 will have trouble pulling a standard 3/8 ripping chain.

Any advice would be much appreciated

JC

Welcome! I asked one of the works as builders on this site about putting an 066 cylinder piston set on an 064 I have. He indicated the bottom end (crankshaft, etc.) was lighter duty than 066. He recomended against using 064 with 066 top end for the rigors of milling. Now I have an 066 & a 661 tu use with up to 60" bar, 57" max milling. Prefer to share what I've been advized in hope of saving others pain. Hope everything goes safely & well for you.