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Post by mcycle12 on Apr 7, 2013 20:56:24 GMT -5
I was at Tractor Supply the other day and happened to look at the bar/chain combos they had for sale there. It's not something I usually do because most stores don't have anything that will fit the old saws. Well....they did have something listed for the 330 Homelite: A 20 inch bar and chain for $40.00. I couldn't resist buying it. My 330 is a working saw for me and the current 16 inch bar is at the end of its lifespan. The first thing I found when I got it out of the package is that the bar mounting slot is too small. It's 5/16 instead of the 3/8 needed for the studs on the 330. Not a problem to file out the holes.  It mounted up just fine after that.  Out to the woodpile to make a test cut. As expected, the bar shakes back and forth a bit more than the old Homelite bars do when in a cut. It is the newer/thinner style that just isn't as sturdy. I noticed the same thing when I put a newer bar on my old McCulloch. That saw cut at least ten cords of wood this year with no problem whatsoever. After a few cuts the chain loosened, again as expected from any new chain/bar. I took the saw back to the shop and examined the bar. The rails are pretty rough where the paint wore off.  Not much of a problem to smooth that out. The bottom line: You get what you pay for. In my case with this bar/chain combo, I am happy so far. Yes, a little more work than I am used to to get it right, but the price was right too. Time will tell if the bar will hold up in the long run. |
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Post by Brian VT on Apr 7, 2013 21:25:49 GMT -5
20" x 3/8" seems like a lot to expect from a 330.
Although, you might only have pine in that area ?
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Post by mcycle12 on Apr 8, 2013 6:24:03 GMT -5
Actually I was cutting down the crotch of 75 yr old black oak. As long as you don't push it too much it cuts that fine. The one piece was big enough to cut from both sides. My neighbor drops the big stuff in my side of the woods with his loader. I cut the pieces so two people can lift them onto my buddies trailer. He splits them and burns them in a boiler.
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Post by karla48 on Apr 8, 2013 14:29:46 GMT -5
mcycle12, Thanks for the Info on 330 bars, Its interresting because I was recently looking at the same bars in the same store. I didn't realize they were laminated thinner and would have vibration, but it makes sense. Now you have my curiosity even more, because you never see specs on bar thickness, usually just chain pitch, drive links, and bar groove gauge or drive link gauge. I am going to have to get my micrometers out and start checking bar thicknesses, I have another interrest in bars for other chainsaws and this may be the answer, So Thank you for the Info.
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Post by karla48 on Apr 8, 2013 15:13:53 GMT -5
mcycle12, Some more food for thoughts on the recent bar purchase. The Original Homelite 330's from the early 1980's were cast magnesium/ aluminum housings, and had many different UT #'s for the same models with slight changes as they were revised. One number stands out which was a model 330, Ut 10540 and this was a workhorse of a chainsaw almost 54 CC's and I have heard of some individuals putting 24" bars and larger with no problem cutting at all, However I personally always used a maximum of a 20" bar. Then it the late 2000's maybe like 2009 or so Homelite started producing UT 10540's again but nothing like the old vintage chainsaws. I always thought it was curious that they used the same UT# 10540. The Newer Homelites are only 38cc-42cc's and made mostly of plastic housings, and much lighter, and I'm guessing also lighter and thinner bars, also probably smaller diameter bar bolts. As you stated 5/16" instead of 3/8", so here is my summation, and I'm guessing but your bar would probably work fine on the newer homelites at less CC's. Again Just a guess, what do you think? Obviously more research would need to be done to confirm this!
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Post by karla48 on Apr 8, 2013 16:17:08 GMT -5
mcycle12, Just one more curious question, looking at the picture is there an oiler hole on the opposite side of the picture, so you can turn the bar over and use either leading edge on the bar?
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Post by mcycle12 on Apr 8, 2013 16:32:41 GMT -5
Yes, oiler holes are on both sides of the bar. I'll have to get the digital calipers out to get a measurement for you.
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Post by mcycle12 on Apr 8, 2013 19:50:58 GMT -5
The sprocket nose seems to have a larger radius on the Homelite bar. It may be an illusion though. I was too lazy to take the chain off to get a better view.  Fuzzy pic of new bar thickness measurement. The paint will add a teeny bit too.  Fuzzy pic of Homelite bar thickness measurement, no paint of course!  I'm not complaining about the purchase. On the contrary, I am pleased with it so far. Just throwing some info out there for discussion. |
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Post by karla48 on Apr 9, 2013 14:19:40 GMT -5
mcycle12, Thanks for the pictures and measurements, great stuff.
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Post by mcycle12 on Jun 22, 2014 15:50:56 GMT -5
Update 6/2014: I would not buy this bar/chain combo again. The metal seems soft on the bar and the chain. The chain seems to need sharpening more than any other I've had. Also, the bar seems to wear at a high rate. After every use I have to file the burrs off the sides of the rails. I'm taking it off and putting a name brand bar back on. Moral of the story: You get what you pay for.
***This is just my honest observation regarding this bar/chain after I used it to cut a moderate amount of firewood. I have no competing business interest regarding this product. I am just a casual saw user who is voicing my opinion.***
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