Chainsaw FAQ

[edisto]

Thought I'd list some common questions and links to threads covering those questions. Please chip in, but make sure to add the links to the appropriate threads. If you want to voice an opinion on the idea (good or bad), or have suggestions, please start a new thread (e.g., what I think of the FAQs) so that this thread stays informative.

Should I grease the sprocket on my bar?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15[/QUOTE]

What fuel to oil ratio should I use?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (milling), 14, 15 (outboard oil), 16 (Amsoil), 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 (older saws), 22, 23, 24, 25 (heat data), 26, 27 (Amsoil), 28, 29 (older saws), 30...and on, and on, and on...

Cylinder porting: 1, 2, 3

How do I break in a new or rebuilt chainsaw?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Leak Testing: 1

What bar should I buy?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4 (poll), 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (GB), 10, 11 (Oregon), 12 (Gary as a noob??), 13, 14, 15 (bar and chain).

 

[edisto]

What brand of chain should I buy?
Links: 1, 2, 3 (Carlton), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (Carlton), 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17 (comparison chart), 18, 19, 20...and so on.

Chisel, semi-chisel, skip...pitch, gauge...what type of chain do I need?
Links: terms (thanks Erick), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (gauge), 10 (pitch), 11<-contains useful chain link (pun intended), 12, 13, 14<-contains a link to a whole book about chains! Guess that means I can stop.

How do I sharpen my chain?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (how often), 8, 9, 10 (guides), 11, 12, 13 (Dremel), 14 (broken raker), 15 (files), 16<-speculation, theory, and name-calling, 17, 18, 19 (Dremel), 20 (guides)...und so weider.

What about a grinder?
Links:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9<-hand filing vs grinding, 10.

Best 50cc saw?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11<-don't read this if you are insecure, just buy an 076, 12, 13, 14, 15...etc

Summary: Husqvarna 346XP, Stihl MS260, or Dolmar 5100.

Best 70cc saw?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Summary: Husqvarna 372XP, Stihl MS440 or MS441, Dolmar 7900.

Should I get a Husqvarna 455 Rancher?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11...

Summary: it depends.

 

[edisto]

How do I test compression on my saw?
Links:tester, acceptable numbers, others: 1, 2

Where can I get information and specifications for my saw?
Links: 1, 2<-has a link to Mike Acres' Chainsaw Collector's Corner, 3

How do I tune my carb?
Links:the "official" thread<-has links to audio files and advice from Madsen's, with ethanol gas, "in the wood", one more.

Limiter caps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Spark plug color (stop saw during cut): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Should I use synthetic oil?
Links: 1 (cost), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (switching an older saw to synthetic), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

"Special" oils: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Should I use fuel additives?
Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

What's on Gary's mind?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Pro vs. homeowner saws?
1, 2, 3, 4

Dealer vs. Box Store
1

 

[stihlboy]

hmm

 

[chopperfreak2k1]

yes! it's back! thank you to the powers that be.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

yes! it's back! thank you to the powers that be.

:agree2:

I bet they get tired of us complaining eh?

 

[stihlboy]

:agree2:

I bet they get tired of us complaining eh?

:monkey: Maybe.....

 

[slipknot]

actually this a good thread....sums it all up for the newbies..makes finding threads so much easier..cant stand reading thru BS to find what im looking for...now if ppl would quit bs'ing all over the swap meet thread and burying my wanted post with discussion posts....stop discussing on the swap meet thread folks....it ruins the thread for others..BS thru pm's or on a another thread..sorry i had the opportunity to say it..

 

[Youngbuck20]

as a newbie myself this is like a bible to me. you guys help me out alot.

 

[Tohya]

This could use a few more links.

Muffler mods
Lakeside53's --361 muffler mod w/photos
Muffler Mod, how big is too big

Porting
Porting 101

Tuning
Checking your tune in the wood

Saw Chain
square chisel
Are FOP really progressive depth raker generators?
Chain for cutting extreme hardwood, and saw

 

[Tohya]

MS 660/066 Oiler upgrade
Oil Pump upgrade, Part 1
Oil pump upgrade, part 2 - the pump
Oil pump upgrade - part 3 - button it up...

 

[o8f150]

missed 1 that really should be added,,, how to get a saw ready for long term storage,,, just a thought

 

[Saucy]

Best Newbie Post Ever?

This post an amazing source of info!

Sometimes the search engine just doesnt find what your looking for but this post lays it all out for those who just started getting into saws

Nice work edisto

 

[Tohya]

Differences between a 064 and 066 crankcase

064 and 066 Crank Case weight's and measure

 

[rickyrooster]

I like this thread. Rick!

 

[cannonloader]

Homelite Super Xl Automatic Tune up

Hey Guys, need a little help here. Trying to get an old BLUE Homelite Super XL going again. I need to know the proper points setting for this saw. It had been in storage for SEVERAL years. Had to take apart and clean carb , etc. Found some rust and crud in the points. Cleaned and set the points, but need to know the proper setting.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.:msp_unsure:

 

[crane]

should be set at 0.015. here is a link(http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.n...86d6acae4e188256c260048b728?OpenDocumentoints ), to Mike Acres site that has a lot of info for your saw and others, (don't know what a lot of us would do without it).

Drew

Edisto posted the link in post #3 of this thread(sorry I missed it).

 

[cannonloader]

Points

Thanks Drew.
REALLY appreciate the info. For some reason the link you sent doesn't connect, but I REALLy appreciate the help.
Trey.

 

[LouisTH]

Thanks Drew.
REALLY appreciate the info. For some reason the link you sent doesn't connect, but I REALLy appreciate the help.
Trey.

Try this link. Chain Saw Collectors Corner - Gasoline Chain Saws by Manufacturer

I have one of those oldie but goodie Homelite chainsaws as well. C-72

 

[jmeritt]

is there a thread that explains how to step by step tear down a saw and rebuild it?