Chainsaw Repair

Chain - Grinders - Filing - Wood Milling - Tools - Welding - Machinist - Mowers - Tillers => Chain - Bars - Grinders - Filing => Topic started by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 12:57:52 pm

Title: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 12:57:52 pm
Hi, I'm having a hard time figuring out what chain to use with my saw.

It's an ms 260 with a 16 inch .325 pitch .050 67 drive link bar.

I'm mostly a multi-weekend warrior cutting clean hardwood for firewood.

What would you reccomend?
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Cut4fun on December 10, 2013, 01:32:03 pm
clean hardwood RSC or RMC
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Philbert on December 10, 2013, 02:36:53 pm
Pretty much up to you.  Are you a guy who 'maintains' a sharp edge, or runs them until they are dull?  Performance or durability minded.  Trying to buy locally or from a catalog?  Brand loyal or open minded.

The MS260 is a great 'all-around' saw which cuts well with .325 chain.  But you don't have to commit to one chain.

If you are really  uncertain, buy a few different types of chains: get a full-chisel chain and a semi-chisel chain; try a STIHL, and an Oregon or Carlton/Woodland Pro.  Try them side-by-side and see which works best for you, which cuts fastest, which sharpens easier, which lasts the longest, etc.  Also compare price to determine which is a better 'value' for you.

It's always good to have a back up chain (or two).  You might find that you are happy with many different chains, or that you like certain chains for certain conditions (e.g hardwoods/softwoods, frozen wood, limbing versus bucking, etc.).  If you are mostly bucking and limbing with a 16 inch bar, do not be afraid of 'reduced kick-back' chains, if they have the bumpers on the drive links (instead of on the tie straps).  These are mostly an issue with bore cutting and longer bars.

I'm kind of an open minded guy, and will try any chain as long as it is sharp.

Let us know what you try and what works for you!

Philbert
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 02:53:36 pm

Pretty much up to you.  Are you a guy who 'maintains' a sharp edge, or runs them until they are dull?  Performance or durability minded.  Trying to buy locally or from a catalog?  Brand loyal or open minded.

The MS260 is a great 'all-around' saw which cuts well with .325 chain.  But you don't have to commit to one chain.

If you are really  uncertain, buy a few different types of chains: get a full-chisel chain and a semi-chisel chain; try a STIHL, and an Oregon or Carlton/Woodland Pro.  Try them side-by-side and see which works best for you, which cuts fastest, which sharpens easier, which lasts the longest, etc.  Also compare price to determine which is a better 'value' for you.

It's always good to have a back up chain (or two).  You might find that you are happy with many different chains, or that you like certain chains for certain conditions (e.g hardwoods/softwoods, frozen wood, limbing versus bucking, etc.).  If you are mostly bucking and limbing with a 16 inch bar, do not be afraid of 'reduced kick-back' chains, if they have the bumpers on the drive links (instead of on the tie straps).  These are mostly an issue with bore cutting and longer bars.

I'm kind of an open minded guy, and will try any chain as long as it is sharp.

Let us know what you try and what works for you!

Philbert

Wow! This is exactly the approach I am going to take. Same as how I ended up figuring out my favourite three blades for my safety razor.

I'm open minded and enjoy maintaining the sharpness of anything chain/blade related.

I'm not brand loyal....as long as it works for MY situation.

I think I'm going to go with 3 chains and give each of them a try like you said.

I'm going to try the oregon 20BPX 067G micro chisel.

I suppose to round it out I should try a full chisel too.

What would you reccomend for a full chisel?

Also, what's another chain I should get to round out my testing experience?

I've got a granberg file-n-joint on the way so this will also be an experience for sharpening....

Thanks,
G
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Philbert on December 10, 2013, 06:03:22 pm
It's hard for me to keep up with all the model numbers.

If you have a STIHL dealer nearby (have to buy from a dealer) try one of their full chisel chains. If you are buying from Bailey's, try one if their Woodland Pro (Carlton) chains.

Granberg is a great way to get uniform, sharp cutters.

Philbert
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: jmester on December 10, 2013, 07:05:41 pm
Full chisel in stihl would be 23rsc. And 23rm for micro. Are you sure it is not .063 gauge as that is what most stihl .325 pitch saws are? Have run Oregon and stihl chain of all sizes, both are great chains, but imo stihl chain holds its edge longer in the same cutting conditions.
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 07:51:57 pm

Full chisel in stihl would be 23rsc. And 23rm for micro. Are you sure it is not .063 gauge as that is what most stihl .325 pitch saws are? Have run Oregon and stihl chain of all sizes, both are great chains, but imo stihl chain holds its edge longer in the same cutting conditions.

Definetly a .050(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/11/ejyqyde4.jpg)
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: jmester on December 10, 2013, 08:16:50 pm
Just wanted to make sure. I think,I will try and find some of those bars as well then my chain would all match from j red/husky and stihl. Thanks
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 08:35:21 pm

Just wanted to make sure. I think,I will try and find some of those bars as well then my chain would all match from j red/husky and stihl. Thanks
Cool no prob. I thought the same thing with the bar. Apparently it's a regional thing to get a .325 050
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: 660magnum on December 10, 2013, 08:43:30 pm
All my Stihl .325's are(were) .063. My 026 I changed over to 3/8" X 16"  X .050 RSC
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: jmester on December 10, 2013, 09:00:19 pm
Just looked at stihls bar and chain manual and no listing for that part number and the only .325/.050 bar they make is for an 250/251 with a 3005 bar mount pattern.
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 09:01:25 pm

Just looked at stihls bar and chain manual and no listing for that part number and the only .325/.050 bar they make is for an 250/251 with a 3005 bar mount pattern.
That's odd. Maybe it's not meant for that saw then.
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: jmester on December 10, 2013, 09:43:50 pm
Your 3003 bar is the right one for your saw. Are you in the USA? Maybe that is why i can not find them. The most up dated part #3003 008 6613 is all i could find.
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 10, 2013, 09:45:05 pm

Your 3003 bar is the right one for your saw. Are you in the USA? Maybe that is why i can not find them. The most up dated part #3003 008 6613 is all i could find.
I'm in Nova Scotia, canada
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: RoyM on December 11, 2013, 11:05:59 pm
Stihl 23RMC or RSC x 67 drive links is what was supplied with your saw. Oregon 20 semi or full chisel will also fit and work well. Gauge seems to be a regional thing, we get very little call for Oregon 22 series so don't stock it. The semi chisel is faster in clean or frozen wood, the round top chipper chain is more forgiving in dirty conditions.
Title: Re: Chain for ms 260 with .325 .050 bar ?
Post by: Gregsl on December 12, 2013, 02:14:46 pm

Stihl 23RMC or RSC x 67 drive links is what was supplied with your saw. Oregon 20 semi or full chisel will also fit and work well. Gauge seems to be a regional thing, we get very little call for Oregon 22 series so don't stock it. The semi chisel is faster in clean or frozen wood, the round top chipper chain is more forgiving in dirty conditions.

Yes the dealer said that it's pretty much only 050 bars around here. The saw did come with an rsc chain. At $40 from the dealer I'll be getting a few oregon chains to try first.

The saw has a yet un-identified stihl chain on it right now. I will post some pics to see if it's salvageable. Might be a good project for my granberg jig when it arrives.