Josey Wales

Now that was an historic day....Happy Birthday Stubby!

tree-fancier123 straight out of the blocks with a contentious take. 'A slice of Germany forever....' That would have made us no better than that which we fought against. As it was, Stalin did indeed keep what he fought for and Poland ('the country on wheels'), the Baltic States and Ukraine fell under the Iron Curtain, with parts of Germany becoming Poland and parts of Poland becoming Ukraine. The 'orderly and humane' displacement of peoples that followed was anything but, and as we celebrated VE Day Europe was plunged into further bloodshed and turmoil as old scores were settled. The conflict between Poland and Ukraine was particularly brutal.

We should start a History thread maybe... How about 'Making the news today in.....(choose your year) ' ? e.g, on this date, the 20th January in 1945 the fourth inauguration was held of President Roosevelt. It'll either be the most learned and courteous thread on Arbtalk, or if someone picks a contentious subject more in keeping with 'Making the news today' and 'Potus'.

For completeness....here are the bar/chain specs for the 550i if anyone is interested. Four different bar/chain combinations, two in full chisel and two in semi-chisel in either 1.3 mm or 1.5 mm gauge. When Mick gets his bigger battery, technically it could carry a 20" bar and chain!!!! For how long though....who knows?

One amendment i would make to the above post is that the 542i seems to be sold as standard in the UK with SP33G in 1.3 gauge needing a 4.8 mm file, that is how i have seen it and used it.....however.....it can come with SP21G in 1.1 gauge needing a 4 mm file. That may, perhaps, be the standard sold in France so bear that in mind as regards my last point above and my apologies if that is the case as it undermines some of the last points made as regards the bar and chain set ups between the 542i and 550i being interchangeable. They are...but only at 1.3 gauge. Personally having used the 542i with the 1.3 gauge chain, the clutch gave it the grunt to chog through what i was cutting with no problems at all and i think a 1.1 gauge on it is a waste on a saw of that calibre.

The 542i comes as standard with X-Cut SP33G semi-chisel chain at .325 pitch and the groove width/drive link thickness is 1.3mm/.050". The 550i, it would appear as per Mark Skyland's post, comes as standard with X-Cut C33 full chisel, also at .325 pitch and 1.3mm/.050" groove width/drive link thickness. The only difference between the two is the cutter profile. Otherwise they are interchangeable between the two saws. If it was me i would be seeing how the 542i runs on the full chisel chain whilst waiting for the BX battery. I would also politely suggest as per your post on Thursday that you reevaluate your use of a 4mm file on the 542i's chain. Both the SP33G and C33 need a 4.8 mm file. Sorry.

Looking at your video you have the older BLi300 battery. The newer BX series have an orange trim. I think Kram and Mark Skyland are spot on in that the full potential of this saw can only be judged with the batteries designed for it. Attached a screenshot from Husqvarna that basically repeats what Mark Skyland has already said. Not sure personally if putting 1.3 chain, like the 542i has on it, will make any difference. I could be wrong. It won't be the first time nor the last. Used a 542i with the new BX battery in it. Very impressed, the clutch made a huge difference. Does the 550i have a clutch? Everything i have read does not say.

In the vain hope of changing the topic, and uniting us all in disdain for a weird Yank, have any of you lot seen that video of Elon Musk, describing the people of the UK as Hobbits, our villages and towns under constant threat from the marauding Orcs ( migrants)? Yes, i know he's successful to all those who like him....but fecking Hobbits! He could have at least chosen Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad from The Wind in the Willows terrorised by the Stoats and Weasels then i'd take him more seriously. Hoping someone smarter than me can upload it, besides, i don't have the time. i need to head off to Bree for a pint at The Prancing Pony before dark, as I've heard there's some dodgy geezers on horses being a pain in the arse to everyone. Wish me luck!

Have to be honest, Zach Polanski hypnotisying women over their breast sizes reminds me of happier times, such as David Mellor, former Conservative MP, famous for the Chelsea shirt and the hooker. I'd rather my MP's being slightly sordid than in the pay of the Ivans. Due apologies Sviatoslav Tulin.

It is odd how a Reform leader for Wales taking Russian bribes when he was an MEP is barely making the headlines in this country, but is elsewhere, such as the New York Times. Says a lot about our media.