PMed you .
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I didn't know selling a nice little saw like this would entice all this speculation. Maybe we could get a sticky started on this topic.
When I spoke with Neal about getting this saw from him, I asked if he had an orange clutch cover to put on it. I know he had a lot of small Husky parts and he was able to get one for me. I think the 346 shares the same clutch cover with several other small saws of its era.
Then I bought a NOS 346 with the silver clutch cover. One of the first things I did after getting it ported by Randy was to order a new OEM orange clutch cover. I think I sold the silver cover here.
I'm just not a fan of the silver clutch covers. Mainly because they get scratched up and dull with little use. I've seen several of these saws where the entire saw looked brand new and the silver clutch cover was all tore up. Poor color/paint choice by Husky in my opinion.
I sent Neal an email yesterday to ask him specifically what he did to the saws that he sold. He sent me a detailed response of all that he would do and/or check on these saws. In short, he thoroughly went through the saw down to the bearings/seals and replaced anything needing replacement or that was questionable with OEM parts. I know a lot of folks on here bought these and other saws from Neal and I never heard any complaints about his saws. There are plenty that would speak up if the saw wasn't right or didn't last.
I had a friend buy the exact same saw from Neal after running mine. He runs the balls off of his and has had zero issues in 3+ years.
Sunfish, thanks for the info about and confidence in Neal and his saws. I've never met the man but he obviously has made a good name for himself amongst many that know their way around a saw. He treated me right and sold quality saws. I wish he was still on here because be was always one to share knowledge and help folks learn. One of the main reasons many of us joined the site.
This saw is still available.
...... And yes, this one flat out screams. With a 20" 3/8 .050 Full Comp it will Haul the Mail like nobody's business.
No Paul, thank you for supporting my addiction while I am overseasThis saw is sold.
Thanks to all those that contributed to this ad and Ken for making a deal with me.
Final update saw arrived on Friday my time and I picked it up as I left work and headed straight to my cabin. Got up to Fuji and filled her with some 40:1 and some bar oil. I assembled her with my 18" 3/8 bar and chain from my other 346 hit the primer bulb about 3 or 4 times and she farted on the second pull with the choke set and started on the third pull in 30 degree weather. Cut up about 15 nara (oak) logs for our shitake mushroom garden, and set her down. In the meantime my neighbor pops over takes a peak at the new toy and says can I try it? I was like OK give her a shot on a badly knotted piece of kunugi that I had sitting in the wood pile and he was like wow... a lot more power than the other 346. I had to explain that this was the NE version and it was 50cc not 45 like the OE was. That plus a muff mod and gasket delete makes for a real screamer. Paul had her set at his elevation so I hit her with the tach and it was at 12,500. Played with it a bit and got it so that it was 4 stroking at WOT out of the cut and tached it again and it as right at 13,900 at 3500' on 40:1 in 30 degree weather...what a little sweetheart of a saw.