Picco Micro Chain

[NoPaint]

My Dolmar 100 has a Dolmar bar that is in really good condition. I bought a Stihl RS 16" .050 3/8 56 link and the issue I am having is that the chain won't fit in the nose sprocket. Does this means I should have bought Picco Micro? The original chain has smaller drivers. Can anyone confirm that I just need the same chain in Picco Micro? Also the current chain is shorter than the factory chain - will the 16" Picco with 56 links be longer? Essentially I am looking for a full chisel chain that will work on my Dolmar 100 with stock 16" bar.

 

[Ashful]

A couple of issues here. First, it would be best if you find the stamped markings on your bar, to confirm 3/8" x .050 is correct. It may also call out "Low Profile" or "Picco" (Stihl's name for LP).

3/8" pitch chain is 3/8" pitch chain, so your length / driver count is independent of chain type. However, the LP chain does have smaller drivers, so if you have a .050" x 3/8" bar that the standard chain won't fit, there's a good chance it is an LP bar.

(broken image removed)

 

[NoPaint]

Thank you so much for the help. It does say 3/8 x .050 on the bar. I don't know if I see low profile on the bar but the drive lugs on the factory chain are smaller than the regular 3/8 x .050 chain I received. Unless I am misunderstanding, this should mean low profile? I will count the actual teeth on the chain I have before ordering again...just hoping someone could point me in the direction of low profile or picco that is a full chisel variety?

 

[Ashful]

Count drivers, not cutters. On most full-comp chain, you'll get the same number, but chains are measured by driver count.

It sounds like LP chain is probably what you need, but it's just a guess. The fastest cutting LP chain I know is Stihl PS3.

Got a local saw shop, which can fit you up, without having to guess on the internet?

 

[Jon1270]

Sounds like you need Picco, but not Picco Micro. The Micro version is 0.043 gauge. For full-chisel you want either 63PS3 (green, low-kickback) or 63PS (yellow, non-safety).

 

[NoPaint]

Count drivers, not cutters. On most full-comp chain, you'll get the same number, but chains are measured by driver count.

It sounds like LP chain is probably what you need, but it's just a guess. The fastest cutting LP chain I know is Stihl PS3.

Got a local saw shop, which can fit you up, without having to guess on the internet?

Thanks all.

The closest shop that knows their stuff is an hour away each way. If it was closer I'd leave the computer off!

 

[TreePointer]

If you can't get definitive pitch info from the bar, check for a model number on the bar and punch it into a search engine to see if you can get more info.

The drive sprocket on the power head often shows pitch info stamped on it, so check there, too. (Drive sprocket pitch must match bar tip sprocket pitch.)

 

[NoPaint]

So found a rental shop that cuts Stihl chain!

They made me a 56 link Picco green tag. I believe the chain is a PM3. I know the first two letters are PM...not sure on the last one.

 

[Ashful]

Yep, you have it right... that would be a PM3. Stands for Picco Micro 3, the "3" being the low-kickback option. That's a great semi-chisel chain for top-handle saws. More durable (eg. dirt dulling) than PS chain, but probably a tad slower, too.

 

[Jon1270]

Yep, you have it right... that would be a 56PM3.

No, the numbers before the "PM" would refer to pitch and gauge, not DL count. There's no such thing as 56PM. OP probably got 56 links worth of 63PM3... which is not chisel chain but semi-chisel.

 

[Ashful]

You're right. Typing faster than thinking. Fixed.

 

[TreePointer]

Which Dolmar 100 do you have? See links and scroll down within link to see pictures. The first two were shipped with 3/8LP pitch chain and the third was shipped with 1/4" pitch chain.

Dolmar 100 (3/8LP pitch)

Dolmar 100 Super (3/8LP pitch)

Dolmar 100 Hobby (1/4" pitch)

 

[NoPaint]

Which Dolmar 100 do you have? See links and scroll down within link to see pictures. The first two were shipped with 3/8LP pitch chain and the third was shipped with 1/4" pitch chain.

Dolmar 100 (3/8LP pitch)

Dolmar 100 Super (3/8LP pitch)

Dolmar 100 Hobby (1/4" pitch)

I have the first one.

My receipt says that I have PM1 chain. Could be an error? All I know is its Stihl, with a 3/8" 0.50 picco design.

 

[Jon1270]

My receipt says that I have PM1 chain. Could be an error? All I know is its Stihl, with a 3/8" 0.50 picco design.

I didn't recognize PM1, and had to look it up. PM1 is full-on safety chain with triple-humped tie straps. I've never seen Picco chain of that type, but Stihl's charts say it exists.

 

[Jon1270]

ounds like you need Picco, but not Picco Micro. The Micro version is 0.043 gauge. For full-chisel you want either 63PS3 (green, low-kickback) or 63PS (yellow, non-safety).

I just realized I got this wrong the other day. Picco Micro (which is what you got) will work on your saw. The chain I was thinking of, that you need to avoid, is Picco Micro Mini; that's the 0.043 gauge stuff. For some reason Stihl uses the term "micro" to denote semi-chisel teeth, and "mini" to indicate the smaller gauge.

 

[Jon1270]

FWIW, I lucked into a roll of Oregon 91VX chamfer-chisel chain on Craigslist a few months ago, and I really like it. It's not as fast-cutting as a sharp loop of 63PS, but it's no slouch either and holds an edge longer.

 

[NoPaint]

I figured it was a safety chain but for $18.40 local price I wasn't too concerned. Its not on there yet but I think I'll be able to make some good cuts with it. I wish I could just grind down all those safety steps...

 

[Jon1270]

Well if you get a hankering to try the non-safety chisel version (63PS), I know a guy who's got a roll and will send you a loop for probably a couple bucks more than you paid for that chain. The chisel version does dull more easily, but otherwise performs really well.

 

[NoPaint]

That is an offer I may take you up on this spring. I can't imagine I'll be happy with safety chain. Something about the wood chips that fly off chisel chain that is just awesome. That said it is a Dolmar 100 so good power but maybe it would be overwhelmed with full chisel. I was surprised how powerful the little Dolmar 100 was...a total surprise.

 

[Jon1270]

For fun, here's my 026 (50cc) set up with 63PS.

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