Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: dudechuck on March 17, 2014, 07:37:30 pm

Title: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: dudechuck on March 17, 2014, 07:37:30 pm
I have a Husqvarna 257 and I am going to use it for a sawmill I am getting. Already ordered the mill. I am now looking for a bar and ripping chain. My question is that I am stupid to the idea of how to get a bar and chain for this saw. In the past whenever I needed a chain or a bar I just go to Lowes and look through the Husqvarna saws where they have bars and chain and I reference the package and get the recommended stuff.
I have looked on the bar and the best I can see my stock bar says 5080174-68 which I suspect to be a model number but I get no hit's on google for that string. I think it also says 18" Chainsaw Chain 3/8 Pitch .050 Gauge. I also see what looks like 45cm and 13mm 68DL. So if I am reading these numbers correctly then how would I take these numbers and locate on ebay the correct bar and ripping chain  for this saw.
I have found an 18 inch that I think is correct IF I were going to get an 18 inch replacement ripping chain. It is at http://www.ebay.com/itm/310874240498?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 and I have messaged asking if they have a 22 inch ripping chain. But I need to be sure I know by my numbers I am getting the correct stuff.

Thanks
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: jmester on March 17, 2014, 07:50:15 pm
Yes you have an 18" bar that is .050 gauge and I would assume 3/8 pitch. Also check out Oregons webpage they have place to enter you saws info and will tell you what bars and chains they have available.
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/lookups/selguide.aspx?BusId=OCS&SellReg=USA&LangId=ENG

 The chain you have linked is for a .058 gauge setup you have a .050 gauge bar.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: jmester on March 17, 2014, 07:54:58 pm
Here is a link for there ripping chain.
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/chain/ripping_72RD.htm
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 17, 2014, 07:57:58 pm
A 257 is a very nice small saw but IMHO a little light to to use on a mill. You may be better off looking for a saw better suited to the milling application, unless you are making boards out of 3-4 inch logs. If larger look for something in the 80-95cc class.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: dudechuck on March 17, 2014, 08:30:55 pm
I know the mill I am getting is recommending a 90cc saw. But there is no way I can afford a 90cc saw with Husqvarna's lowest saw at the 90cc range is over $1.100. I have someone who was milling some wood but taking 50% of what they cut as payment and he has recently passed away. I have a couple places whom have been buying oak, hickory, maple and pine from me so my plan is to get a better saw once I am keeping and selling more wood. That's my plan.

The link I was given (and I really appreciate the link) you say they have a page where I can also get a recommendation of what bar I need?
Also, since I haven't asked this, do all chainsaws connect to the saw the same or do I need to know something specific to insure I am getting something that connects.

Thanks for the answers thus far. I read more than I post here. But with my NOT being mechanically inclined at all you guys here helped understand enough to find and replace my carburetor on this same saw which had me dancing the jig on the money I saved.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: mdavlee . on March 17, 2014, 11:49:30 pm
What size bar are you wanting to run on the mill with the 257? I ran a 20" with a 357 on a mini mill getting a flat side milling maybe 8-10" and that's all I would want to do with a saw that size in hardwood.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: dudechuck on March 18, 2014, 09:37:27 am
The saw currently has an 18 inch bar. I was gonna move to a 20 inch but also considering a 22 inch bar. I have some really large tree's on my property and I have been having 10ft 1 and 2 inch thicknesses being milled by someone before he passed away. I will definitely be milling larger planks than recommended for this saw but since the wood I have been selling is part of my income I have to do what I can.

Moving up in bar size was something I was planning on doing this summer anyways. But finding myself in this situation where I am getting a mill I will be using  the bar for both cutting and milling. Both cabinet makers I have been selling to regularly take 3ft 5ft 10ft length by 2 inch up to 10 inch width and from 3/4 inch to 2 inch thickness. I plan on taking some of the load off my chain saw by also using my table saw to cut some of it. But the initial block of wood will be cut with the chain saw.   
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 18, 2014, 10:29:54 am
I have a buddy that is putting a Stihl 064 back together, needs a new piston. He is a member here (Deanosaws). If your interested he usually has very good prices. Might just be another way out. I will give him a link to this thread. He is a mechanical engineer working on aerospace valves, does very nice work.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: dudechuck on March 18, 2014, 11:43:29 am
Interested but not sure how much is left after the sawmill.. But worth looking into. I am sure I will have to get one bigger and a good used one is more in my league right now. Actually once I get things set up with the mill I was gonna look for a saw on craigslist that wasn't running at all for a not running at all price and then using the forum to help me rebuild it to get it running.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 18, 2014, 12:34:45 pm
Sounds like a plan, we are all here to help you out!
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: mdavlee . on March 18, 2014, 03:29:18 pm
It would be better to spend money now before you kill your saw. If 10" wide is the max you'll probably be ok. Ripping is way harder than cross cutting and a stock 660 was very slow at 20" wide stuff. I've moved on to 084/088s now and use a 90 cc saw with a 24" bar for milling.
Title: Re: Help-Husqvarna 257 And Buying A Ripping Chain
Post by: dudechuck on March 18, 2014, 04:03:19 pm
Not going any larger than 10". and that's not as often. Bigger saw in definitely in my plans. I am willing to talk to anyone who has a good running used one. But finances being what they are right now I am not sure what I can do. I am trying to get more raw logs from around here to enable me to have more to cut and sell. That would help. The heat is on as that 80's song goes.