Advice please - 8" bars + chains

[Mutley]

I use a 12" stihl carving bar on an MS192. I recently played with an 8" bar on a brilliant Lantra crosscutting/maintenance course and loved it. Can I just get an 8" cannon carving bar and 1/4" chain and bung it on? Only I've read about filing off the tooth heel (Source Ed Robinson's Wooden things) as they don't cut well, but I don't think I'm up to that. I would like the smallest diameter nose, but if there are going to be chain issues, I'd settle for a wider nose. Advice please!

Miranda

(I'm carving purely for fun to get me away from the kids and housework.)

[Rob D]

I have the 8" bars on my website here. These are under the ACCESSORIES tab in the top menu bar. Here you can buy carving bars, chains and drive sprockets specifically for carving.

 

I have one on my 192 and didn't find the need to grind the top plate shorter.

 

However the best chain to go for is the Stihl .250 RMS as this already has a shortened top plate for carving.

 

If you want to buy off the site register and I'll unlock discount etc