Gauge size opinions

[Tacotodd]

My Husky had the normal Swedish thing with .058, then I, because of my misunderstanding, put .063 on it. I now believe that I should have made a choice of .050 instead. The powerhead that I have is plenty strong, but I think that .050 bars would have been physically lighter and hold up the same, as long as they are not pried with, pinched, or twisted. 

I just want to get other folks opinions because their seems to be lots more options around here for pre made loops. 

I would like to know what everyone else runs and why. I'm also in a conversation type of mood 🤪

[lxskllr]

I use .050 cause it's the de facto standard around here. If all things were equal, I think I might go with .063 for more robust drivers. I haven't had any issues with .050, but the heavier drivers should theoretically hold up better. I don't think weight difference is enough to matter regardless of gauge.

[Tacotodd]

YI've never experienced any kind of wear issues with the .050 drivers on my awesome running Echo, and I've totally wore out some chain on it so far. I've got a Cannon bar on it because they would custom make one for it because of replaceable tip. Looking back, an entire new replacement bar would have been money ahead, but it's now in the past. I've not had any more wear on .050 than I've had on .063 drivers, but I've not run them in what I consider extreme conditions. Whenever either saw quits throwing chips, I sharpen until it does. I'm over the top when it comes to my sharpening on MY saws. When chips become fines, I break out my file. If the end product looks like dust, I should be beat like Al Smith's proverbial rented mule. (I've made that mistake in MUCH more rookie times) Time and persistence pays off on that avenue. 

Anyway. I think, but don't have other bars to measure, the wider driver chain links would typically go along with a thicker bar. The reason I say, my Cannon I run.325 chain on but my Husky is 3/8. Echo/Cannon is 55cc but Husqvarna is 71cc. I've taken notice on Cannon/Echo .325 combo I seem to get what you could call, just prior to making the wire edges, except these are much MUCH wider and definitely are not on the very 90 degree corner. I'm wondering if Cannon in their special making of bars just use one thickness and that is part of what makes your "high quality, high weight, high price" assessment. I've not ever put my mic on measuring the thickness difference, if any, between my chain pitches as far as width pertains related to the chains. 

I'm not sold yet on the idea of the reduced weight bars for my Husqvarna and I've not seen anything except laminated off the shelf for the Echo CS550P. BTW,Husky is 372xp. 

I also remember Willard talking about tightening (with his copper hammer) loose bar rails on non-laminated/solid pro bars. I also remember him talking of trying such things on a laminated bar with much less than long lasting success. These are all contributions to my spending 3x the money on the Cannon bar. If I could have found solid in any thing else I would have because of time/price involved.

Sorry, I got sidetracked.