Quick question

[bobh]

Hi all

Just joined here, been lurking for a while though.

Thinking seriously of getting an alaskan and have a MS650, would this be OK on a 36" or would it be a bit tough on the saw?

Bob

[Rob D]

Hi Bob,

 

Welcome to the forum. The Stihl MS650 is 85cc and the max recommended bar size is 30".

 

I suppose you could put a 36" bar on it as there is some leeway....

 

.... but your chain sharpening skills and general saw maintenance would have to be very spot on to get away with it.

 

If the above are 'so so' 30" would be your max.

 

 

 

[mr kipling]

Hi i've got a 650 with a 36" bar and just started milling and it seems fine i do use a ripping chain and keep it sharp though.

 

Chris

[bobh]

Thanks for the replies folks.

That gives me something to think over then, maybe a 30" might be better. In truth I'm not sure how often I would need anything bigger.

Have just heard tonight that there maybe a Honda driven mill for sale down the road so hopefully will take a look tomorrow. May just be a pile of rubbish though as it's been sat in a shed for several years.

Edited October 14, 2011 by John Shutler

[Rob D]

That may be a peterson mill as they have honda engines.

 

By the way bob the forum has a no swearing policy.... this also includes putting * into swear words...

 

I got picked up on it and this is how i know!

[agg221]

I would think you'll be OK with the 36" bar on the mill.

 

Stihl recommend a max. bar length of 30" but that's buried in the wood. The mill will use about 5" of bar at the tip, and unless you take the dogs off another 3" of bar at the saw end. As such, the maximum cut you can get is about 28" buried in the wood.

 

Although dragging the chain round the bar does use a bit of power, it's not much compared with the power used in cutting, so the above should be fine, just a bit slower than with a bigger saw. In desperation I have put my 044 (72cc) on the 36" bar and it cuts OK on up to about 20" logs - haven't gone bigger but I would imagine it would do it if I took it gently.

 

Alec

[bobh]

Hi again

Rob - firstly thanks for the warning about the swearing, if I could find the edit button it would already be changed. I'm not out to upset anyone.

Went to look at the mill today, turned out to be a Lucas mill 6-18 (so not a honda engine then,) has been stored for quite a while in a semi open shed so needs a bit of TLC, also the rails are missing, I may still get it if the price is right though.

Alec - thanks for the reply, think I'll stick with the 30" though, I'm a great believer in under stressing machinery, always think it will last longer like that.

[Rob D]

No worrys.

 

 

The Lucas mill sounds good although machinery that's stood for a long time can often be more trouble than it's worth...