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Chain Saw Recommendations
- Thread starter GCroyle
- Start Date
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I have a McCulloch Pro Mac 650 (like from the 80's) and in my younger days I was big and burly enough. Now that I am an old man that SOB wears my *ss out in a short period of time, It is still a hungry machine, me not so much. I plan on buying a Stihl with a smaller bar. My buddy has one and it does everything that mine will do with much less noise and weight. Runs smoother too.
One with a 16" bar would cover everything that I would do nowadays.
I bought my wife a small electric Stihl. Man, I borrow that one all the time. LOL. Obviously not for firewood or felling, but we constantly have trimming and pruning and cutting down alder saplings around the perimeter and it's more capable than you would think. She loves that thing, best anniversary present ever.
MS250
Easy to work on and a real 12Valve kinda tool. Simple not complex. I like working on them.
The next size smaller saws are not nearly the same tool.
I love my MS 260 and my old 031AV still runs great. Have replaced a few carbs over the years, wore out a couple of bars, and a few other parts but the engine itself-nothing. Just an absolute work horse. I only use it now if I am cutting roots where there might be dirt and rocks and I don't want to hurt my newer saw. For cutting firewood the 260 is a nice balance of heavy duty enough but not too heavy for an old guy.
Time for a new from the bench don't be these guys.
First up from the small end of the Stihl offerings an MS170. No start condition, operator error. Duh.
We at least take a look at the fuel tank but this one needed draining and rinsing. The fuel is supposed to go into the tank on the right and bar oil goes in the tank on the left. the gas tank was full of bar(?) oil and it had some "mix" of something in the oil tank. This saw we just carb it not kit it so carb, filters and plug and it was released back to its owner.
And every so often we have to clean up after a DIY repair goes awry. that small screen is about the same size when installed as a pencil eraser when its CORRECTLY pressed into the carb no just laid on top of the fuel pump surface. This also damaged the pump diaphragm.
And finally from the does he ever take his own advice? This fresh MS250 winked at me from the showroom and I adopted it. It just arrived with a build date of this month. Real nice size for smaller tasks that don't need a heavy saw.
Gary
First up from the small end of the Stihl offerings an MS170. No start condition, operator error. Duh.
We at least take a look at the fuel tank but this one needed draining and rinsing. The fuel is supposed to go into the tank on the right and bar oil goes in the tank on the left. the gas tank was full of bar(?) oil and it had some "mix" of something in the oil tank. This saw we just carb it not kit it so carb, filters and plug and it was released back to its owner.
And every so often we have to clean up after a DIY repair goes awry. that small screen is about the same size when installed as a pencil eraser when its CORRECTLY pressed into the carb no just laid on top of the fuel pump surface. This also damaged the pump diaphragm.
And finally from the does he ever take his own advice? This fresh MS250 winked at me from the showroom and I adopted it. It just arrived with a build date of this month. Real nice size for smaller tasks that don't need a heavy saw.
Gary
Guys,
Just happened to see this YT from a railroad channel and looky here they are using a rail saw similar to above. Saw action is at 1 min mark and you can see the yellow rail anchor clamp that the saw is pivoting on.
Carry on
Last Friday I got paged to the lobby. This ain't gonna be good.
I clear the corner and a gentleman is looking my way, Gary? yes, I'm Mark31. Talk about being caught off guard, huh, who? Then things start to click in as Mark makes the link to TDR and the chainsaw thread. Mark stopped in to pick up mower blades. A chat and a quick shop tour followed.
Mark, thanks for stopping in and saying hi.
Gary
Failed / worn out insert repair.
A commercial account turned this one in for fix it with no details just fix. And the chain brake handle was broken as a visible details.
Basic insp and a test run test, yup it's a survivor. Chain brake handle time. This is possibly the easiest handle repair you'll find. Anchors under the top front recoil screw and slides onto the brake lever. Easy oops but not peasy. The screw hole was badly worn out and previously spring type insert repair. Boss suggested going to M6 to replace the M5 but that had its own issues going thru a hard steel bushing. Time to ponder.
What about a M8 to M5 steel bushing insert? Take an M8 bolt and drill and tap to M5?
I like a challenge so at HOME using only a good old drill press and some get 'er done I setup an M8 to be the donor for this bushing. sThe pic shows the bushing and the new M8 tap and drill.
Finally got the go ahead. Careful drilling to get to tap drill, then M8 tap and badda boom we have a tapped hole for a bushing. Cleaning, then sleeve lock, cure overnight then assemble and its an invoiceable repair.
Later on I found out that this same off the shelf M8-M5 bushing exists but we only needed one not an economy pack so it was an interesting DIY repair to save a running saw.
Of course, pics or it didn't happen. DIY bushing and then the failed insert, new screw and new bushing installed.
Gary
A commercial account turned this one in for fix it with no details just fix. And the chain brake handle was broken as a visible details.
Basic insp and a test run test, yup it's a survivor. Chain brake handle time. This is possibly the easiest handle repair you'll find. Anchors under the top front recoil screw and slides onto the brake lever. Easy oops but not peasy. The screw hole was badly worn out and previously spring type insert repair. Boss suggested going to M6 to replace the M5 but that had its own issues going thru a hard steel bushing. Time to ponder.
What about a M8 to M5 steel bushing insert? Take an M8 bolt and drill and tap to M5?
I like a challenge so at HOME using only a good old drill press and some get 'er done I setup an M8 to be the donor for this bushing. sThe pic shows the bushing and the new M8 tap and drill.
Finally got the go ahead. Careful drilling to get to tap drill, then M8 tap and badda boom we have a tapped hole for a bushing. Cleaning, then sleeve lock, cure overnight then assemble and its an invoiceable repair.
Later on I found out that this same off the shelf M8-M5 bushing exists but we only needed one not an economy pack so it was an interesting DIY repair to save a running saw.
Of course, pics or it didn't happen. DIY bushing and then the failed insert, new screw and new bushing installed.
Gary
I made the 40 mile trip over to Darlington Chain Saw today and asked about what happened to Gary. I was told he had a heart attack and died in his sleep. I remember when I met him thinking how lean and fit he looked---like maybe he could give a 3120 a good workout. I had it on my mind to take a couple of old "tools" to get him to work his magic on them, but I didn't go in time. They miss him over there. In old B grade western movies, it was easy to tell the good guys---they wore white hats. Gary definitely "qualified" for a white hat!
bcbender
TDR MEMBER
I'd have to agree, he was a great experienced man!.. we had discussions, dis-agreements, but as an olde saw guy, I miss his contributions and expertise. I selfishly hope someone remembers me with a similar, or fractional amount of reverence in general, thanks for responding on this post, it reminds me of how much I like the TDR, all its active members, and all those that chime in, it feels sometimes like family....AND ALL THIER COLLECTIVE EXEPERIENCE is unbelievable. Oh; BTW or IMHO, or JM2C, or .... They usually help and are mostly right or at least willing to talk out our stubborn opinions!!
Sentimentally yours Brian Bender
Topzide
TDR MEMBER
@bcbender, You hit the "nail" on the head! TDR is like an extended family that is willing to listen to the other side. 
The help provided helps us all, whether it be a trick to get something apart or the what could've cause this condition. So I say to the "extended" family, thanks for the help in the past and future! Whenever we loose someone from the forum, it's a great lose to their family, let alone the TDR family.
Gary will be sadly missed with the advise he provided about saws. I hope his family know how he helped others on TDR and they find peace with his passing.
The help provided helps us all, whether it be a trick to get something apart or the what could've cause this condition. So I say to the "extended" family, thanks for the help in the past and future! Whenever we loose someone from the forum, it's a great lose to their family, let alone the TDR family.Gary will be sadly missed with the advise he provided about saws. I hope his family know how he helped others on TDR and they find peace with his passing.
Dan_69GTX
TDR MEMBER
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
