.325" or 3/8"

buck12 · Jan 17, 2011

Thanks for the advice. I will be buying from a dealer. This is the dealer I currently buy auto and lawnmower parts from (it is NAPA store and sells Stihl, Huskey). I grew up cutting firewood and still occasionaly help my Dad. I have always borrowed one of Dad's saws but I am tired of his cheap saws and figure I am pushing forty, time to quit borrowing his stuff.

Chilly807 · Jan 19, 2011

buck12 said:
Thanks for the advice. I will be buying from a dealer. This is the dealer I currently buy auto and lawnmower parts from (it is NAPA store and sells Stihl, Huskey). I grew up cutting firewood and still occasionaly help my Dad. I have always borrowed one of Dad's saws but I am tired of his cheap saws and figure I am pushing forty, time to quit borrowing his stuff.

I personally like .325 chain, but I'm usually not in a big hurry either. I do have a Stihl 044 with 3/8 chain, anything less on that saw would be ridiculous.

My cutoff point for .325 to 3/8 is 60cc. Anything less really doesn't have the power to pull a 3/8 properly, and anything bigger is wasted on .325. My personal opinion, obviously.

Sean

magicheater · Jan 19, 2011

Country1 said:
. Having to make a double cut with a 16 every once in a while for the bigger trees is a better solution than running an 18 or 20 all the time.
I'd get one or two extra loops of chain to put on when one gets dull or you get into some dirt or rocks. Sagging and/or dull chains are the number one problem with inexperienced operators. So keep your chains tight and sharp and good luck and happy sawing!:thumbsup:

Longer bar means you bend less, I have found an 18" bar is a great compromise. Still running it after more than 20 years, many semi loads and more cords of firewood than I can count. I agree with the rest of the advice.

newbury · Jan 20, 2011

buck12 said:
I need an education on chainsaw chains. I am planning to buy a Stihl 260 pro in the next couple of weeks. It is available with a .325 or 3/8 chain. I am not sure which is best for my needs. The main use will be limbing, cutting lots of smaller to medium size trees, and cutting the occasional large tree. The saw is probably more than I need and more $ than I should spend for my uses but I am tired of cheap saws. I want a saw that will run when needed and last for years. Any guidance as to chain size is appreciated.

I'd say go with 3/8, but then my favorite saws are a pair of 660's. Seen below.

But I'd suggest you wait. Prices just went up and the new 261 is being introduced. General consensus on AS is that it's GOOD, but hard to get.
There's numerous threads on it.

kjung17 · Jan 20, 2011

I heat an old (1890) farm house with wood, so I cut a little. My "little" saw as is a Stihl 180c with a 14 inch bar and 3/8 picco chain. I love it. I use one chain a year and rarely have to sharpen or even re-tension. I can keep up with much larger saws. Great little saw.

buck12 · Jan 20, 2011

newbury said:
I'd say go with 3/8, but then my favorite saws are a pair of 660's. Seen below.

But I'd suggest you wait. Prices just went up and the new 261 is being introduced. General consensus on AS is that it's GOOD, but hard to get.
There's numerous threads on it.

Which threads are you referring to? The Stihl website list specs for the 261 but when I link to retailer sites they show the 260 and prices for it. I need a saw by February. I spend February and half of March, between deer and turkey season, doing land clearing, cleaning shooting lands, etc. I hope to make it by the local shop tomorrow. I was in the shop about a month ago and they had a 260.

czechsonofagun · Jan 21, 2011

I have chains and bar left over from Solo (R.I.P.) and I plan to use them up on my Husqvarna 455. Those chains are .325 and narrow kerf, they cut like there is no tomorrow, but I will probably go back to 3/8" when they are used up.

Chains are not a rocket science and it is possible to go back and forth if you have the swapable sprockets. They are better for your saw anyway, that's why I converted my 455 to it.

jonyyuma · Jan 21, 2011

Newbury, Nice saws, plenty of bar and chain to use. I own the 028 woodboss with a 16 inch bar and .325 chain. It is just right for my uses, and I sharpen my own chains with a jig and file. Jy.

buck12 · Jan 21, 2011

I stopped by the dealer today. He had two 260s with .325 chains and 18" bar. Said he would swap to a 16" if I prefered it. He has yet to get in any of the new 261s.

Country1 · Jan 21, 2011

Did he have an idea as to when he might get one of the 261's? The new strato saws are nice. I had a 361 (strato), sold and now have a 362 (strato) as my primary fire wood saw and it's becoming my go to saw. There's nothing wrong with the 260 though. It's an awesome saw too and a proven performer. You really can't go wrong with either 260 or 261.