Keeping track of chainsaw chains

Went 50:1 late 80’s early 90’s but it was do to oil more than a change in the saws. Homelite used to sell 16:1,32:1 and 50:1 oils all at the same time and it was safe for all of their saws as long as mixed per bottle. The 16:1 and 32:1 oils weren’t good enough to mix 50:1

 

Not sure how we went from chainsaw chains to oil here but just wanted to give my two cents on ratios.

A 40:1 mixture is actually leaner and not richer than a 50:1.
40:1 mixture contains less fuel per gallon than 50: due to the extra oil. The extra oil replaces fuel.

Yes it contains more oil and richens up that part of it but reduces the fuel content.

Granted it is such a small change and in most cases won't even be noticed.

 

There are two different ratios to consider here....

Fuel to oil and air to fuel. More oil, 40:1 vs 50:1 is a richer oil mix.

Displacing fuel with a richer oil mix, as you stated, leans out the air to fuel ratio.

I've Seen confuse the two over the years. Often blending them into one thing, which is usually all about the oil part of this with no idea on the the more important part.

 

Dealing with two ratios indeed , can get a little confusing if you don't sit back and think about it.
Such a small difference anyway I never have had to worry about it.
Running 40:1 for years now with my favorite flavor oil and zero issues.

 

Stick with what works for you.

 

If it wasn't for the website disappearing and the phone lines being dead for the oil I ran for 16 years I'd not even be here. There is a long story to how those correlate but its a fact. I was happily running what worked for me all those years in everything two stroke. I mainly ran 32:1. Dabbled in 36 and 40.

 

The thing that puzzled me was 2 stroke dirt bikes recommended 32:1 and replacing rings maybe piston at 40hrs. I did it several x and most if not all I could see the blow by from worn rings. Some chainsaws are turning higher rpm at 50:1 and who tracks hours of chainsaw use before freshening up the top end?

 

This seems to work best.
I have been looking for some of the plastic packages similar to what Stihl uses but just can't seem to find them. I know that they must be available to buy somewhere but still searching. This way they could all be neatly labeled and stacked on the cabinet shelf.