3/8 vs. .325 Chain

[Cliff R]

As a general rule .325 will work best on 50cc or less saws. 3/8 LO-Pro on limbers 42cc and smaller and use 3/8 on the bigger stuff 55cc and bigger. Type of wood matters too, but the is a good rule of thumb.


+1

Exactly the same thing I've found out here. Bar length makes a difference as well. I don't like the 3/8"LP past about 14", and the .325 past 18".....Cliff

 

[BIll Uthman]

I know this is an old thread but...I have a Stihl 028super which is 50.4 ish cc's. We've used it for years with a 20 inch .325 B&C. It cuts decent but wears out much faster than a 3/8 20inch on 1 of my other saws. I ordered a 3/8 rim sprocket to replace the .325 spur. I already have a 16inch 3/8 B&C which I am going to try out. If an MS170 can pull that chain thru a 14 inch log then an 028 super should rip! Keep in mind that this is in lodgepole and Doug fir. Just my 2 cents. I don't have much hardwood cutting experience.

 

[user 122190]

I know this is an old thread but...I have a Stihl 028super which is 50.4 ish cc's. We've used it for years with a 20 inch .325 B&C. It cuts decent but wears out much faster than a 3/8 20inch on 1 of my other saws. I ordered a 3/8 rim sprocket to replace the .325 spur. I already have a 16inch 3/8 B&C which I am going to try out. If an MS170 can pull that chain thru a 14 inch log then an 028 super should rip! Keep in mind that this is in lodgepole and Doug fir. Just my 2 cents. I don't have much hardwood cutting experience.

I changed my 325 to a 375 on my ms290. All soft woods and it is an improved saw. Slows down in larger green wood. I can't put a lot of leverage on the bar, but with a sharpened chain is cuts very well with 18 inches of 375. So well next year I am going to put a 20 inch .375 B&C on it.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I know this is an old thread but...I have a Stihl 028super which is 50.4 ish cc's. We've used it for years with a 20 inch .325 B&C. It cuts decent but wears out much faster than a 3/8 20inch on 1 of my other saws. I ordered a 3/8 rim sprocket to replace the .325 spur. I already have a 16inch 3/8 B&C which I am going to try out. If an MS170 can pull that chain thru a 14 inch log then an 028 super should rip! Keep in mind that this is in lodgepole and Doug fir. Just my 2 cents. I don't have much hardwood cutting experience.

An ms170 would be pulling 3/8 LO PROFILE chain, which is quite a bit smaller than .325.

 

[BIll Uthman]

An ms170 would be pulling 3/8 LO PROFILE chain, which is quite a bit smaller than .325.

My ms170 came with the .043gauge low pro B&C. I switched it out to a .050 gauge standard Stihl B&C. I am going to put that .050 on my 028 once I get the new sprocket and put the. 043 back on the ms170. I am also curious how the full chisel does compared to the semi .325.

 

[AuerX]

Full chisel .325 on my Husqvarna 340 16".

Thing is just glorious in pine. Banshee wailing, razors all over the place

 

[BIll Uthman]

Full chisel .325 on my Husqvarna 340 16".

Thing is just glorious in pine. Banshee wailing, razors all over the place

My .325 semi chisel was my main saw for a long time. Then I got another saw with a full chisel 3/8. I never realized how slow the. 325 was.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

My ms170 came with the .043gauge low pro B&C. I switched it out to a .050 gauge standard Stihl B&C. I am going to put that .050 on my 028 once I get the new sprocket and put the. 043 back on the ms170. I am also curious how the full chisel does compared to the semi .325.

3/8 LO pro comes in both .043 and .050 gauge. I'd be truly surprised if you managed to get true full sized 3/8 pitch chain on an ms170. You'd need a 3005 mount 3/8 bar. I'd love to see some pics. Compare the size of the cutter on the different gauges you swapped out. Unless they're radically different, it's still lo pro or "picco" chain. A chain model number would solve it too. PS or PM and it's not true 3/8 chain.

 

[BIll Uthman]

3/8 LO pro comes in both .043 and .050 gauge. I'd be truly surprised if you managed to get true full sized 3/8 pitch chain on an ms170. You'd need a 3005 mount 3/8 bar. I'd love to see some pics. Compare the size of the cutter on the different gauges you swapped out. Unless they're radically different, it's still lo pro or "picco" chain. A chain model number would solve it too. PS or PM and it's not true 3/8 chain.

You're right...I will take a closer look tonight when I get home from work. The cutters on the .050 are substantially larger than the .043 but I didn't think about that. I will get back to you when I have a chance to look at it. If I need to I will just buy a new B&C. Either way, I will be happy to get rid of the 325 chain

 

[BIll Uthman]

3/8 LO pro comes in both .043 and .050 gauge. I'd be truly surprised if you managed to get true full sized 3/8 pitch chain on an ms170. You'd need a 3005 mount 3/8 bar. I'd love to see some pics. Compare the size of the cutter on the different gauges you swapped out. Unless they're radically different, it's still lo pro or "picco" chain. A chain model number would solve it too. PS or PM and it's not true 3/8 chain.

I took a close look at my saws. You are right about the mounts. 3005 vs 3003 mounts. Stihl doesn't offer a 16 inch in 3003 mount so I guess the smaller bar is staying on the 170. I was just hoping to save $85. Oh well. Thanks for being that too my attention.

 

[grizz55chev]

Similar curiosity, I have a .325 stihl all in one sharpener (you can’t just swap out the file which is a drag) and a new saw that runs 3/8 chain. Since the file is just ever so slightly smaller than the cutter would I be okay using the sharpener? It was never going to be machine perfect with me doing it anyway.

The post you replied to is 10 yrs old, don't expect a response from the OP.

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

.325” on sub 60cc’s
3/8” on 60+ cc’s

 

[mgb2504]

W

.325” on sub 60cc’s
3/8” on 60+ cc’s

Well now I’m wondering if they got the specs wrong bc this is a DeWalt 60 volt, maybe I can use the file I have. Gonna have to do more research.

 

[Kev490]

Brian, I think your 590 will like a 16"-18" .325 setup best. If your not cutting big stuff with it all the time you may like to try a 8 tooth sprocket on it.

That is considered a high speed saw, not a torquer.

I've got two Jonsered 490's both have .325 chain, .058, 7 tooth sprocket. I'm running Oregon VersaCut 16" and 20" bar with no problem . Bucking firewood and clearing fence rows. Anything from cedars too hedge.

 

[link]

.325” on sub 60cc’s
3/8” on 60+ cc’s

1/4, at 25cc to 32cc (.043 / 1,1mm).
3/8 LP, at 25cc to 35cc (.043 / 1,1mm) (narrow kerf).
3/8 LP, at 35cc to 45cc (.050 / 1,3mm) (standard / chisel).
.325, at 45cc to 60cc (=> .050 / 1,3mm).
3/8, at => 60cc (=> .050 / 1,3mm)

 

[bwalker]

I like .325 on 50cc and under, for the most part. I have tried the 3/8th on the 260 and it seemed to bog a little more. I like the 3/8 on my 361 though.

My expiereance agrees with this as it pertains to stock saws. 50cc cuts better with .325" and everything bigger with 3/8".
Now with that said I have often ran 3/8 on 50cc saws just because it's nice to buy 1 roll of chain instead of 2.
Also Stihl RS has always been the fastest cutting .325 for me.