Purchased a stihl 050av and thinking of converting it to a 3/8 pitch and dedicating it to a ripping saw for lumber. Wondering if anyone has done this and/or what it takes to do it. Is it as simple as a new 3/8 rim sprocket, bar and chain or is there more to it. I haven't opened this saw up yet to see what it takes so I thought this would be my first step. Appreciate any help, thanks.
Welcome! I'm not familiar with that particular saw, but yea, it's just a matter of matching up the sprocket and bar. If they make the parts that fit, a conversion is trivial aside from some money spent.
Change the rim, chain and the bar tip, no need to replace the bar unless it is worn out or is a one piece laminated. The new tip will come with rivets that are peened over with a hammer.
Gauge might not match with just a tip change. He'd probably want to go with a more normal gauge(0.50) rather than getting .063. More money up front, but would probably make things easier going forward.
The tip doesn't change with gauge, only the pitch.
The rest of the bar changes though. I'd assume he wouldn't want 0.63 if he switched to 3/8.
Thanks everyone for the tips, I'm looking forward to this. Hoping my wife and boy will give their man a couple hours of shop time sunday to get this plan started. I hadn't thought about changing the bar tip sprocket too. It's a short bar but it'd be nice to have around for the times I don't need to run a 3' bar. Hoping this 050av "chugger" will give my 700 pro mac mcculloch a much deserved retirement.
We don't see 3/8x.063 here either but it seems to be popular in some areas. I worked for a distributor, the manager wanted us to push it as well as .404 but I had to convince him the market is not there. He was not experienced with saws.
Stihl 050/051 IPl has all the parts you are seeking for the clutch. If they are still available? Simple to get a bar/chain from there.