5100s with 3/8 20" chain question

[Kramit]

New member here. Just picked up a 2012 Dolmar 5100s on cl. It still has a Dolmar 20" bar with new chain. I was wondering if with the 20" bar I should use skip chain vs lgx.

 

[Javelin]

full comp no problem on that saw

 

[Kramit]

Thanks

 

[erikvr]

3/8 or 0.325"? If you bury it in wood it won't have much power left with 20" IMO

 

[Backtroller]

A 20" Dolmar brand bar isn't really a full 20". My 18" was more like 16" and change. My Total Super bar is a true 18"

 

[nstueve]

RSLHK Stihl chain. 3/8 half skip is fun.

 

[wde_1978]

A 20" Dolmar brand bar isn't really a full 20". My 18" was more like 16" and change. My Total Super bar is a true 18"

My 20" OEM Dolmar (Oregon) bars are almost 20" from the power head with a new chain!

These are from the AMA Garden aftermarket bar that I have, but the Dolmar/Oregon bars are exactly the same length (takes 72DL 3/8").


The 36" Iggesund Forest bar I own is also up to specs (takes 115DL 3/8").


Both bars were pictured with new chains.

Just saying!
There are exceptions both directions.

20" ~ 500mm / 50cm
36" ~ 900mm / 90cm

 

[Backtroller]

True, I should not have generalized. Maybe a 20" is different. My 18" is 17" from the power head and the spikes take up even more of the available bar length leaving me with about 16"

 

[Kramit]

Erikvr, it has 3/8. I figured getting through larger logs might be easier on the saw with some skip. I'll have to look at the Stihl half skip.

 

[Kramit]

I have not used the saw for real cutting yet so forgive me if i seem like an idiot

 

[wde_1978]

True, I should not have generalized. Maybe a 20" is different. My 18" is 17" from the power head and the spikes take up even more of the available bar length leaving me with about 16"

View attachment 473713

The PS-6400/7900 OEM USA Style 1 spikes/dawgs "take" 2"/5cm (shown in the 1st picture in my previous post), that makes a 20" bar end up being a 18".

The PS-6400/7900 OEM EU spikes/dawgs are much shorter, but I never actually measured them - might check tomorrow if I don't forget.