Muffler mod newbie advice needed

gsp828 · Jul 8, 2013

With a recent storm and sudden access to some nice hardwood logs, I have decided to start chainsaw milling. I am looking for some saw advice. I have a ms-361, but I would like to have some more power to make the milling go a little quicker. I know a larger saw would be the best solution, but my budget is limited. Does anyone have any advice about how a muffler mod on this saw would be for milling? After a little research, it seems like something similar to the lakeside mod might be best for milling since I could direct the exhaust away from the mill by directing the new exhaust port toward the bottom of the saw. Does anyone have any advice about going about this, or should I just save the time and trouble of modding this saw and just be patient both milling and waiting until my budget allows for a bigger saw?

BobL · Jul 8, 2013

Any well thought through and enacted muffler mode should help a saw run cooler and generate a bit more power. Claims vary as to the extent of the improvement but I reckon a bit of porting (eg a woods port) is needed along with a muffler mod to really see a difference in performance. At 60 cc the 361 is going to be restricted to small and short logs so if that is all you are going to ever be looking at (Ha Ha!) then it would be OK for occasional milling but if it were me I would keep the 361 as a logging and break up saw and look for something at least a little bigger.

cityslicker · Jul 9, 2013

Keep the 361 for prep work and find a solid used big saw. If you are patient and diligent enough you will likely find a great deal on a great big saw and if you ever need to get your money out of it you should be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it so long as you take care of it. If the logs are small enough for the 361 to handle maybe try loading them in your truck or trailer and bring them to a small custom band saw sawyer. It will likely save you many hours of work and will save your saw. It's what I do when the logs are under 28" diameter.

gsp828 · Jul 9, 2013

Thank you for the advice. My long term plan is to invest in a larger saw(I know everyone has an opinion and they are usually contradictory, but any input on what might make a good and relatively inexpensive saw would be appreciated); hopefully, the 361 will get me by until I can afford a bigger saw. Right now I am just enjoying getting started and learning the ropes. I have tested out the mill and my saw on some pine just to see how everything works. I am hoping to get to a couple oak and hickory logs this week.

Timberframed · Jul 9, 2013

The Oxen is slow but the Earth is patient. If you're not in a big all fire hurry to mill some planks then let the saw do the work. Like the Ox they don't last forever. Some cuts have taken me 45+ minutes per pass. 27' x 45" of Red Oak. 15 tons of solid wood. Take your time and enjoy being outside in the wild.

isaaccarlson · Jul 9, 2013

Timberframed said:
The Oxen is slow but the Earth is patient. If you're not in a big all fire hurry to mill some planks then let the saw do the work. Like the Ox they don't last forever. Some cuts have taken me 45+ minutes per pass. 27' x 45" of Red Oak. 15 tons of solid wood. Take your time and enjoy being outside in the wild.

How much gas did you use?

rarefish383 · Jul 10, 2013

Be patient, don't force the saw, and let every one you know you are looking for a big saw. I asked a friend at work to ask around, and a couple weeks later one of his cutomers gave me a Homelite XL923, for free. 82cc's and it runs great, Joe.

john taliaferro · Jul 10, 2013

60 cc is small ,i have run my 460 big bore {baileys kit } on some small slabs and it was fun . 660 on 36 'is funner and 088 on 60" is heavy ,awkard , WORK. Ifffffff you decide to run the361 a downward short pipe does get the exhaust out of your face ,helps blow saw dust ,and does give small power boost . Be shure to re tune carb richer to . You should be nice to it also with cool down times and short runs in cool weather .