Revived Two Homelite XL2 Autos

[Jake_MN]

Picked up these two for $20. Both were listed as non-runners. First saw apparently "wanted to start" so I got it home and ran through the proper starting procedure. Got it to pop, backed off the choke and it fired on the next pull. Idles nice and even. Second saw required some work on the recoil started and a carb clean and adjustment. It starts on the first or second pull and runs very smooth. Cool little saws.

They have different size sprockets, so the spare bar and chain that came with the first won't work with the second as it's set up.

 

[logging22]

Cool pics. Rep sent.

 

[Jake_MN]

Thanks,
they're really good looking little saws. Nothing fancy but I do like the magnesium cases. I think I might keep one around as a pruning saw and do a mild restoration on the other.

 

[Mastermind]

Those are in really good shape, the ones I have all have black tape holding the top on the handle. Powerful little saws for their size.

 

[MostShady1]

The XL12 was the saw I first learned to run/ cut firewood on when I was a kid. Glad to see you saved two more. Take care of those old babies!

 

[Jake_MN]

Those are in really good shape, the ones I have all have black tape holding the top on the handle. Powerful little saws for their size.

The top of the handle on one of the saws is a bit wobbly, the other is rock solid. The only belmishes on paint of the saw on the right are the ones you see above the XL2 logo. The fact that the logo is in a slightly different location on each saw tells me that they probably just slapped them on quick at the end of production.

I think I'll play with them for a while and eventually one of the two will be offered up for a port-polishing/muffler opening/repaint job.

 

[JasonBmac]

The XL-2's are great little saws.... I don't even find them that tedious to dis-assemble....

Here's mine, a freebie from a friend... After a carb kit, some duckbills and fuel lines, it runs about as good as it looks. Playing with the metering lever height helped with the Hi mixture (no needle), ended up about 5 thou low for good performance (though still rich when nose-down)....

IIRC, early production used a 1/4" pitch chain, and that was changed to 3/8 lo pro later.... Mine's in 3/8LP, and slings it well. I believe the drum/spur is still available from Oregon, and bars certainly are. Mine weighs 10 pounds, wet and ready.

J

 

[Jake_MN]

Great looking saw....

Apparently I have one of each (1/4 and 3/8). I too had issues with the metering. Probably disassembled it a dozen times to get it just right. The lack of a H needle is a PITA, but otherwise it's a very easy saw to break down once you get the hang of it.

Where did you get that case? Very nice.

 

[JasonBmac]

The case (unbelievably), is original....

The old girl even came with files, guide, screwdriver, spare plug...

Other than grotty old fuel and oil problems, the only other thing wrong was the plastic carb cover (thru which the choke lever extends) was cracked. I stitched it up a bit with tie wire.

Looked like the previous owner (the donor's FIL) tried to resurrect her, with a new clutch drum/sprocket, bar and chain, but all that's for naught if the carb's plugged up solid... LOL.

The saw was actually payment for replacing the carb boot and a clutch spring on the fellow's Husky...

J

 

[Jake_MN]

Very cool.

 

[JasonBmac]

Aint the twin trigger a trip? LOL.

I only use the front trigger for drop-starting (it's well balanced there for a little judicial throttle-goosing), and cut with the rear trigger. With no brake, I want leverage should a kick-back occur.... 5 gallons thru 'er without incident so far...

J

 

[procarbine2k1]

They sure are lively aren't they? Haven't used mine much, but you definitely don't forget using it.

 

[Sprintcar]

They sure are lively aren't they? Haven't used mine much, but you definitely don't forget using it.

Good little vibrators! My arms are going to sleep just looking at them.

:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Jake_MN]

That's exactly how I use it. I figure if I'm careful and make sure I have a firm grip on the rear end of the top handle I should be able to avoid mishaps with a saw that small. But still, helmet and gloves at all times.

 

[Mastermind]

Good little vibrators! My arms are going to sleep just looking at them.

:hmm3grin2orange:

I limbed two oaks I dropped a few day back with mine. I didn't use it long 10 or 15 min. My old gray haired fat man hands were already tingling though...lol

 

[Sprintcar]

I limbed two oaks I dropped a few day back with mine. I didn't use it long 10 or 15 min. My old gray haired fat man hands were already tingling though...lol

Now Randy,

Ya know them things are good for us old guys that need an afternoon nap. Ten minutes of running an XL-2 is worth 2 hours in the easy chair. Run one all day, I may never :censored: wake up.

Jerry

:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[mooseracing]

With no brake, I want leverage should a kick-back occur....

I keep forgetting everything has brakes now. I have to of the XL2's,one in the original case like above but neither have been running the past couple of years.

I'd like to get one going again for pruning.

I'm used to my dads old XL400 that he rebuilt in the early 80's. The cylinder has some scoring and is hanging up so about 5 months ago I picked up the last 361 the dealer had.

All I can say is wow the difference is basically 40 years of technology. I never realized what every one complained about as far as vibration and weight, you just got used to it.

 

[JasonBmac]

LOL.... I keep these old mini-saws (mini-mac and xl-2) because nothing large grows here, I saw mostly alder scrub. THese make small jobs seem a little more meaningful, and they're lightweight, so good trail saws. For the amount of actual cutting I do, anti-vibe isn't a deal breaker. I prefer to run these over my neighbour's Jred 455, which while in an entirely different power class, just seems large, heavy and cumbersome...

These days, I use the mini-mac most, as it has a chain brake.... Though I gotta keep reminding myself that just because I CAN one-hand it, I SHOULDN'T!

J

 

[Mill_wannabe]

I just ended up with one of those XL2 Auto's with the two triggers last night. How does the muffler come off on these?

On my XL's, there's a bolt in the center. Not so on the XL2...

 

[JasonBmac]

If you look closely, the hole centermost in the muffler is a different shape - round. There's a hex head screw (allen screw) in there. IIRC, 5/32"... But I could be wrong there. Single screw.

J