Homelite 8800 popularity questions

[Roanoker494]

I tried to pick up a Homelite 8800 and a parts saw today but it seems that someone beat me to it by a matter of minutes. The seller said he had gotten a ton of emails, it was on a local CL ad, wanting him to ship the saws all over the US. I personally was not interested in the saws but I was contacted by another AS member who wanted me to try and get them then ship them to him, I said sure thing and contacted the seller. I was told that I was "second in line" but I could meet him at 5pm to view the saws, that is if the other guy did not buy them. I was already in town doing some grocery shopping, about 4:30pm, when the ole cell rang and I was informed that the saws were no longer available. Oh well... Day late and a dollar short... Well actually I was early and had cash in hand but it still did not work out........

What is the deal with these 8800's? Do they have serious collector value or are they actually a killer saw? Should I get myself interested in finding one? I looked at Ebay completed listings but could not really find much other than parts. The only thing I have figured out is the 8800 was a upgraded 540 and there was a John Deere CS550 version. Seems the 540 had a open port cylinder where the 8800 was a closed port, not sure on the JD though. I also did a Google search for "arboristsite: Homelite 8800", which turned up a few threads but mostly just pictures.

 

[mweba]

They have a strong collector following. 8800's grab a hefty price on the bay. To the best of my research, they are the last of the American made Homelites. The 540 being the first piston ported saw they built and the 8800 the last (I will be corrected shortly if incorrect). 540 open port, 8800 closed, 550cs JD closed.

 

[mweba]

These are mine. Sure would like to have a 8800 to complete the set. Also, 8800-550 have mag rear handle/tank. 540 is plastic.

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[longbar]

I seen the post you had on the "I seen it" thread. Im sure a few others did too and probably acted on it. for the price he had on 1.5 old american muscle saws im sure they didnt last long.

They are great saws will plenty of torque. Modern but nostalgic.

if you dont have one yet and can find one for a decent price I would get it. You wont regret it. Just be aware you will probably have to beat Mitch to it. hes a 8800/540 hoarder

 

[struggle]

That was at the Iowa GTG right? Longbar (running saw) and you guys did some horse trading?

 

[mweba]

O MY Erik, you have large Balls.


I'm not a hoarder :msp_w00t:

 

[mweba]

That was at the Iowa GTG right? Longbar (running saw) and you guys did some horse trading?

Yes sir. I just have custody at the moment. He has first dibs if I decide to part with it.

 

[struggle]

Yes sir. I just have custody at the moment. He has first dibs if I decide to part with it.

I recall how it was minty.

I did not run it though or even see it run until seeing you video.

 

[Roanoker494]

I am about 96% sure who beat me to the 8800's today, probably the same feller I always have to beat out to get saws around here. Fortunately I know this person, I actually have his pair of Mall 2MG's here for repairs now. I will have to drop by for a "random visit" on Friday and nose around his "new saws".

The seller told me that the running saw looked very good and the parts saw was missing the top end and other parts. He was asking $175, but like I said I was actually going to buy the saws for another member. I do believe I am going to have to put some effort into finding myself a nice 8800.......

 

[longbar]

O MY Erik, you have large Balls.

:redface:

Now if only I could convince my wife of that..............................

 

[mweba]

I gave near three bills for my 540 and I will not even mention what it took to get the 550. If you are fast, one can be had for a decent price. They are Very smooth running saws with good torque. Don't look for them to compete with todays saws but a great bit of history.



Struggle, show up at this years GTG and you are welcome to run both.

 

[procarbine2k1]

They are infectious as they come. I have 2 Homelite 540's (had 3), and 1 John Deere 550CS. Parts are as hard to find as the saws themselves. I have been meaning to get some pics up, but havent yet but I will get on that.
I bought 1 of my 540's from a member here. I will be posting a thread about the JD, as a fellow AS member is the reason I have it in my hands (Ebay saw, local pick up). Again, these saws are INFECTIOUS.
Performance, they are decent. But what gets me... I feel these saws were far ahead of their time. They are American made (but not American designed/ engineered). Built when Textron still had ahold of Homelite.

The saw that I (nor anyone that I have seen) can find, is the Homelite 545. Extremely cool saws, cool history, classic American muscle.

 

[mweba]

Procarb....If you get some time, we should pool our resources in one thread. There is one good thread on the 8800 and 540 but it would be nice to get the whole picture together.

 

[procarbine2k1]

About the design... take it for what its worth, but supposedly Solo designed these units for Homelite. I have heard guys argue both ways, but have talked to enough collectors (die hard Homelite guys) and the answer is most always the same. Homelite contracted Solo to design/ engineer these saws, and from what I can guess- Solo did not keep any rights to the design for their own manufacture.

 

[Roanoker494]

Two relevant threads I found

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/131004.htm
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/166122.htm

 

[longbar]

I want some education on this 545 you speak of???!!!!!

 

[Roanoker494]

I put a ad in the local CL wanted ads and I have already got a bite, just got a email from a man claiming to have a very nice 8800 but he did not specify a price. Says it belonged to his dad and had not been used very much, but that seems to be the story everyone tries to sell.......

 

[Roanoker494]

I want some education on this 545 you speak of???!!!!!

Seems the most copied story I found is a 545 has a manual and auto oiler, other than that they are the same as a 540.

 

[longbar]

Seems the most copied story I found is a 545 has a manual and auto oiler, other than that they are the same as a 540.

Nice!!!! and they are super rare....at least in my garage!

 

[SawGarage]

I put a ad in the local CL wanted ads and I have already got a bite, just got a email from a man claiming to have a very nice 8800 but he did not specify a price. Says it belonged to his dad and had not been used very much, but that seems to be the story everyone tries to sell.......

The one that I have is nice... just needing some 'things'...

as said before a bit modern for their time...

some rumor to them being a solo design, or something of that nature :dunno:



Hi Johnnie!!