Hi,
I'm new to ArboristSite.com. I've "lurked" here several times in the past few years.
I would definitely consider myself to be an occasional saw user, because I typically only use my saws about 6 or 7 times per year. My sawing activites include cutting firewood for my woodburning stove and clearing deadfall/storm damage from the edges of my folks' fields. They own a small (35 acres planted) grain farm.
As far as saws, I am pretty much a Stihl man, since I grew up with my grandfather's 015AV. I inherited that saw, but decided to shelve it for a while, since I don't currently have the time to perform a plethora of small repairs on it. The recoil starter rope and chain adjuster are broken, the gas tank leaks, etc.
My current "big saw" is an MS310 with a 20" bar. I really like it, other than that weird master control lever. Give me "real" controls, please.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to purchase an MS250 to replace the old 015AV. Instead, I purchased a new-old-stock Husky 136 from a saw shop that was close to where I lived at the time, because it was about 40% less than the MS250. I figured that I could live with less power, given the money savings.
I do not expect my Husky 136 "little saw" to be a speed demon, but its peformance is lackluster, even compared to my old 015AV. I took it back to the shop where I purchased it, and they tuned it, which helped some. Even with a brand new chain, the saw never gets to what I call the "sweet spot," where the saw cuts and sounds good. I adjust throttle and rate of feed to find the "sweet spot" during each cut. It is easy to find the "sweet spot" with my MS310.
To be fair to the little Husky, it does have some redeeming qualities. The operating controls are fantastic, it starts easily, and it has good balance.
My concern with the 136's performance lies with the whole "sweet spot" issue. I do not expect a "little saw" to speed through a 10 or 12" piece of hardwood, like it was nothing. I do expect to be able to find a "sweet spot," where the little saw motors along fine, during the cut. Every time I use the saw, I feel like I'm abusing the poor thing.
And yes, I've thought of simply purchasing a 16" bar and chain for my MS310, but I frequently have both saws going at the same time, since I usually cut firewood in a 2-3 person team.
The drive sprocket, on the clutch drum, is just about worn out. The 136 has a 16" bar on it and a 3/8" chain. I'm assuming that this is a 3/8" low profile chain?
What can I do to improve the performance of my 136? Is there something I should do or check before I start experimenting with different bars, drive sprokets, and chains?
Would a stihl picco micro chain from my 015AV work on the husky? I still have a couple of those chains in my storage unit. They are both 0.050" pitch. I realize that I might have to slightly alter the length of the chain (55 vs. 56 drive links, IIRC).
Is there a narrow kerf setup I should try?
Should I use another 3/8" sprocket, or should I convert to a .325" setup?
Would going to a shorter guide bar help much?
My experience with chainsaw specific repair is limited to changing clutch drums on my 015AV. However, I am mechanically inclined. I've rebuilt several engines, large and small, restored an old Sears lawn tractor, worked in electrical/electronic field repair, and fixed many other types of household things.
Thank you in advance for your help!
I'll try to answer your questions the best I can. My stihl saws are in storage (100 miles away from me), right now, and I should get my husky back from my brother, this weekend.
I'm new to ArboristSite.com. I've "lurked" here several times in the past few years.
I would definitely consider myself to be an occasional saw user, because I typically only use my saws about 6 or 7 times per year. My sawing activites include cutting firewood for my woodburning stove and clearing deadfall/storm damage from the edges of my folks' fields. They own a small (35 acres planted) grain farm.
As far as saws, I am pretty much a Stihl man, since I grew up with my grandfather's 015AV. I inherited that saw, but decided to shelve it for a while, since I don't currently have the time to perform a plethora of small repairs on it. The recoil starter rope and chain adjuster are broken, the gas tank leaks, etc.
My current "big saw" is an MS310 with a 20" bar. I really like it, other than that weird master control lever. Give me "real" controls, please.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to purchase an MS250 to replace the old 015AV. Instead, I purchased a new-old-stock Husky 136 from a saw shop that was close to where I lived at the time, because it was about 40% less than the MS250. I figured that I could live with less power, given the money savings.
I do not expect my Husky 136 "little saw" to be a speed demon, but its peformance is lackluster, even compared to my old 015AV. I took it back to the shop where I purchased it, and they tuned it, which helped some. Even with a brand new chain, the saw never gets to what I call the "sweet spot," where the saw cuts and sounds good. I adjust throttle and rate of feed to find the "sweet spot" during each cut. It is easy to find the "sweet spot" with my MS310.
To be fair to the little Husky, it does have some redeeming qualities. The operating controls are fantastic, it starts easily, and it has good balance.
My concern with the 136's performance lies with the whole "sweet spot" issue. I do not expect a "little saw" to speed through a 10 or 12" piece of hardwood, like it was nothing. I do expect to be able to find a "sweet spot," where the little saw motors along fine, during the cut. Every time I use the saw, I feel like I'm abusing the poor thing.
And yes, I've thought of simply purchasing a 16" bar and chain for my MS310, but I frequently have both saws going at the same time, since I usually cut firewood in a 2-3 person team.
The drive sprocket, on the clutch drum, is just about worn out. The 136 has a 16" bar on it and a 3/8" chain. I'm assuming that this is a 3/8" low profile chain?
What can I do to improve the performance of my 136? Is there something I should do or check before I start experimenting with different bars, drive sprokets, and chains?
Would a stihl picco micro chain from my 015AV work on the husky? I still have a couple of those chains in my storage unit. They are both 0.050" pitch. I realize that I might have to slightly alter the length of the chain (55 vs. 56 drive links, IIRC).
Is there a narrow kerf setup I should try?
Should I use another 3/8" sprocket, or should I convert to a .325" setup?
Would going to a shorter guide bar help much?
My experience with chainsaw specific repair is limited to changing clutch drums on my 015AV. However, I am mechanically inclined. I've rebuilt several engines, large and small, restored an old Sears lawn tractor, worked in electrical/electronic field repair, and fixed many other types of household things.
Thank you in advance for your help!
I'll try to answer your questions the best I can. My stihl saws are in storage (100 miles away from me), right now, and I should get my husky back from my brother, this weekend.
)
