404 conversion

[Shoprat]

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.

[lxskllr]

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.

[sawguy21]

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.

[lxskllr]

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.

[sawguy21]

The tip doesn't change with gauge, only the pitch.

[lxskllr]

The rest of the bar changes though. I'd assume he wouldn't want 0.63 if he switched to 3/8.

[Shoprat]

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.

[sawguy21]

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.

[Mad Professor]

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.