3/8" vs .404"

I decided to put a .404" bar on the 385 today and square file a chain for it. There's a little difference in cut time for them in favor of the 3/8".

 

The .404 will stay sharp longer

 

It also makes a nice wide kerf when bucking. The .5 second difference in cut speed would probably be saved over the time it takes to dull it. I'm sure semi chisel .404" would be real nice for dirty wood.

 

Did you use a single bevel file on the .404 being the side plate is taller?

 

I only use .404 square tooth skip on the Mac125C. I do like that being its almost indestructible & stays sharper longer than 3/8 in heavy cuts.A couple of the big gear drives have old & now rare 9/16 skip that are in excellent shape.The 2 big Husqvarnas would pull .404 no problem but I have 3/8 on them for a bit more pulling power.

 

Nice.. mdavlee i see you put vid with the husky s2800.....

 

Same double bevel file.

 

That 385 sounds like it's running pretty good, is it stock?
The .404 seems to be very effective on older, slower rpm reeders like the Mac 797, 125, s250, and the like.

 

It's stock. The chain wouldn't tighten up on the 64. I wanted to try it on it since it's ported.

 

On that saw, just find a 7 pin. It'll give you what you're looking for..
.404 will remove some serious material.. Just need more power to do it. Not sure how many HP it would take to overtake the 3/8"..
You can bet we will find out at some point..
But Mike's right, it removes a wide kerf that's very forgiving when working over a big trunk..

 

I guess I could port the 385 and see what that does with it.

 

Remember also that a seven pin in .404 is just a little bit bigger than an eight pin in 3/8.
A 125 Mac is faster with seven pin 404, then it is with eight of 3/8, but when changed to a ten pin, the 3/8 is a little faster. I have video to go along with this subject, have to see what I can dig up!

 

How many horsepower you figure a built 125 puts out?

 

Nice vids.
Chains saw is like Christmas music , love it.

You cutting green maple ?

 

A "built" 125 on meth with a pipe will dyno above 20hp. An old stocker like mine is only in the 8 or 9 HP range I think. They like to pull hard, not fast, I think that's why they are faster in race cants with a big gear.

 

Maple is correct. Been down a few months.

 

Well, I'd think 20hp might warrant a .404. Hard to say...
If you build a Mac like that, we could try it...