First chainsaw - bar length?

[john k]

I'm planning to get a 346XP as my first saw and had been wondering about bar length. I'm not really sure what sort of work I'll end up doing, but if all goes to plan I'll be mostly doing woodland work - coppicing, thinning, scrub clearing, maybe some hedge laying. There may be some bigger felling too, but I think that's likely to be less frequent.

 

Several people have mentioned how well the 346 works with a 13" bar, but presumably a 15" would be more versatile.

 

To a clueless newbie a couple of inches doesn't seem much, but I'm guessing it's actually quite a substantial difference. Am I best off getting a 15" to start with?

 

Thanks!

[TRADITIONAL LOGGERS]

13" would be most suitable and the longest available if needed.

[Len Brennan]

I'd start off with a 13 especially if you're working in tight spots coppicing etc. I started with one on my 346xp and never felt the need for anything longer even for small felling jobs.

Edited March 11, 2011 by Len Brennan
iPhone predictive text nonsence

[john k]

Thanks. Looks like 13" is favourite so far!

 

13" would be most suitable and the longest available if needed.

Do you mean have a longer bar and chain as well as the 13"?

[Ross Macneil]

Have both 13" and 15" as you can change for diffrent jobs.If you are buying a new 346xp

get it with the 15" then buy the 13" later on or if you have the money get it at the same time.

[Brushcutter]

I have a 346 and have 13,15 and 18" bars for it. 99% of the time the 13 is on it. The other 1% is the 15 never use the 18" any more. It's worth having the 15" as you can go streight through stuff doing small felling rather than having to sweep around with a 13. Get both i think my 15" guide bar was 20 quid and 15 quid for the chain from clarks.

[TRADITIONAL LOGGERS]

Thanks. Looks like 13" is favourite so far!

 

Do you mean have a longer bar and chain as well as the 13"?

 

Sorry typing in a hurry and not made sense.

 

Yes both the 13" bar/chain and the largest bar/chain available for that model.

[jrose]

if you can get both it wouldn't hurt, as you'll have a spare bar and chain should you break a chain, or hit a nail and can't be arsed to sharpen, or get your bar stuck and need to cut yourself out, etc etc...

 

mine has a 15", I prefer this over a 13" as it's a bit more versatile. Especially while coppicing as it gives you that bit more reach which is sometimes handy!

[Rupe]

As a very basic rule of thumb (that can be changed at any time) I would say if there a three bars available get the middle one, and if there are four available then get the second from smallest.

 

As I say this is just a general rule but works for most stihl saws, I dont know much about the husky ones though.

[Ty Unnos]

Hi John

 

I have just done my CS30/31 with a 346xp and 15" bar.

 

The combination was great however if I was to do it again I would probably opt for a 13" bar.

 

Its just a little bit less bar to worry about when you are getting started.

 

The instructor supplied the 3 other saws on the course and they all had 13" bars.

 

Good luck with it.