oregon chain for MS290??
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Chilly807
Elite Member
3/8 and .325 refer to the distance between the centers of three consecutive rivets in the chain, divided by two.
The first picture is of a 242 Husky with .325 Oregon chain, the distance between three rivets is .650 divided by two gives .325.
The second picture is an 044 Stihl with 3/8 Oregon chain, .750 between three rivets divided by two gives .375, or 3/8".
.325 was designed to work with smaller modern high speed saws that have excellent chain speed, yet not enough torque to pull a "full-size" 3/8 or .404 chain through wood. Good for limbing, or lighter use in general. Pro type 3/8 chain cuts faster than .325, by virtue of removing more wood with each bite, but requires more power to do it.
Homeowner (casual use) saws typically use low-profile 3/8 chain that cuts slowly compared with .325, but has less potential for kickback in the hands of an inexperienced user.
I've had good experience with Oregon chains and bars, good quality and competitive pricing.
The 290 might have enough power to pull a 3/8 chain, but it'll likely cut faster with a .325 overall.
Sean
The first picture is of a 242 Husky with .325 Oregon chain, the distance between three rivets is .650 divided by two gives .325.
The second picture is an 044 Stihl with 3/8 Oregon chain, .750 between three rivets divided by two gives .375, or 3/8".
.325 was designed to work with smaller modern high speed saws that have excellent chain speed, yet not enough torque to pull a "full-size" 3/8 or .404 chain through wood. Good for limbing, or lighter use in general. Pro type 3/8 chain cuts faster than .325, by virtue of removing more wood with each bite, but requires more power to do it.
Homeowner (casual use) saws typically use low-profile 3/8 chain that cuts slowly compared with .325, but has less potential for kickback in the hands of an inexperienced user.
I've had good experience with Oregon chains and bars, good quality and competitive pricing.
The 290 might have enough power to pull a 3/8 chain, but it'll likely cut faster with a .325 overall.
Sean
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mountainlake
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Yes, stay with the .325 setup unless you only cutting small softwood. I really like 3/8 low pro on my 40cc saws with a 6 tooth driver, non safety. They cut just as fast as my 53cc and 56cc homeowner saws with that chain. Steve
