How tight should a new bar be?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
TradEddie

TradEddie

Minister of Fire
Jan 24, 2012
981
SE PA
I finally got around to the long-overdue full overhaul of my saw, including a new bar. My problem now is that the chain barely fits in the groove of the new bar. The chain is so tight that I have to force it down into the groove and even with a lot of slack in the chain, I cannot pull the chain along the bar. I don't remember this being so bad before, I took everything apart and oiled the groove, tip sprocket and no improvement. Is this normal, or is something wrong?

TE
 
My guess is the chain & bar are different gauges. Groove in bar is narrower than drivers on chain.Hence the too-tight fit.For everything to work properly they need to be the same i.e. .050,.058 or .063 gauge etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smokinj
Thistle said:
My guess is the chain & bar are different gauges. Groove in bar is narrower than drivers on chain.Hence the too-tight fit.For everything to work properly they need to be the same i.e. .050,.058 or .063 gauge etc.
Click to expand...

Yep, the drive links should fit freely with very little slop. The gauge should be stamped on the bar...compare with the old bar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smokinj
With a Husky, My guess is your chain is .058" gauge and your bar is .050".

Run into that a lot. Why won't .058 just go away! :confused:
 
Weird, the bar gauge was correct, although the part number was different from my previous bars. Once I fired it up and ran it slowly at first, it freed up normally. Maybe just too much paint in the groove or something. I bought this bar at Lowes about a year ago just because it was an open box special deal - I bet the original buyer had the same problem and brought it back.
TE
 
A new bar and new chain are always tight to me too. If either is old or worn then the fit is much better.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

burnt03
“New” 261C, chain question
Replies
9
Views
1K
The Gear
marty319
marty319
Z
sthil Issues
Replies
14
Views
2K
The Gear
zrock
Z
Megunticook
VC Encore Door Handle Loose?
Replies
10
Views
677
Vermont Castings
Megunticook
Megunticook
L
How am I going to get this out of the wall!? (and other rookie questions)
Replies
8
Views
420
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
LKay
L
H
Country Canyon ST310 - should we replace it?
Replies
19
Views
1K
IHP: Astria, Ironstrike, Country
hailingsummer
H
Top Bottom
Back