Stihl 066M problems

[agg221]

Under certain circumstances you can get the bar groove splaying at the top. Not 100% sure on the cause (these aren't cheap, nasty bars) but I suspect it's more of a problem with long bars and heavy saws, as it's harder to control the tendency for a slight twist which causes the links to run slightly pushed against one side. You can feel it's bad when the teeth rock noticeably side to side in the groove. Stick a vernier down it and mine should be 0.063", but one of them is nearer to 0.1", which means it won't cut straight or oil properly. If they get really bad (i.e. the owner ignores the symptoms) they can start jumping chains.

 

No particular tool for nipping them up and I agree manufacturers probably won't recommend it, but the bar isn't dead hard, so it will come back in without fracturing and you're not at much risk - worst that could happen is a bit of fracturing of a rail edge, at which point the bar would be scrap anyway, so there's nothing to lose. Given the cost of long bars it's worth a go, and has cured the problem for me.

 

Alec

[spudulike]

Glad all is well now with the saw and bar - I didn't file the rakers but checked them and they were correct to the Stihl gauge.Glad the saw cuts straight now - another happy customer:-)

[Aspen@AAOIL]

Glad to hear this!

 

 

 

Just a quick follow-up.

 

Very happy with the results - thanks Spud!

 

Meanwhile I've switched entirely to Aspen, which has cleaned up the exhaust, stopped my headaches and streaming eyes from milling and generally been a good thing. I've found that I can get it in Whittlesford, Cambs. about 5mins from work, which is perfect.

 

Alec