noob wants to work on saws

[gasman]

Okay I'm embarressed to be doing this but I gotta. I really want to learn how to rebuild and fix a saw. But I have no idea where to start. I took apart and put together a motorcycle 20 years ago, and PM my boat and tractor but, have have no real motor experience. Should I just buy a saw and dive in, read a book, with 3 small kids I don't have any time to hang out with guys who could show me how. I would be doing it late at night like now. I'm thinking maybe I would buy a manual and look at that for a while. Sorry for being such a noob. I never really cared before I started hanging out at this site.:bang:

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Buy a used saw. Then buy it's shop manual. There's general manuals out there, but clutches, oil pumps air filters and so on differ, even between saws of the same brand. With a little bit of common sense, some wrenching knowledge and the willingness to learn.

The shop manual will get you set up and show you what you need. Anything the manual doesn't cover...well that's what this site is for.

Have at it!

 

[ciscoguy01]

Good

Good for you bro. That's how I'm learning also. I'm getting manuals and tearing apart older saws so I can figger them out before I start on my good ones should the need it. I figger if I can get the old junks running, then my newer ones should be a sinch. Only thing thats really changed through all the years would be the ignitions and the air filtration a little I think... Anyone think of anything else???:jester:

 

[belgian]

Okay I'm embarressed to be doing this but I gotta. I really want to learn how to rebuild and fix a saw. But I have no idea where to start. I took apart and put together a motorcycle 20 years ago, and PM my boat and tractor but, have have no real motor experience. Should I just buy a saw and dive in, read a book, with 3 small kids I don't have any time to hang out with guys who could show me how. I would be doing it late at night like now. I'm thinking maybe I would buy a manual and look at that for a while. Sorry for being such a noob. I never really cared before I started hanging out at this site.:bang:

That sounds like me. I am reading a book right now about basic chainsaw tuning, which another member on this site recommended. It"s called "2cycle tuning handbook" by Gordon Jennings. If you google it, you will easily find a site where you can download it in pdf format. Basic theoretic knowledge helps always when you start the practical part.

Then find yourself a used saw and use it as a learning project.

Have lots of fun.
Roland

 

[carvinmark]

That's great. Research first so you will know what to look for.One thing I find to be very handy is taking pics of the disassembly so you can refer to them during re-assembly. Good luck.
Mark

 

[Trigger-Time]

I hav'nt done any real saw work, but I think if I where to buy one
to work (learn) on I would pick a saw that is one of the most common,
so used parts would be easier to come by and maybe cheaper.

 

[oldsaw]

Most of it isn't very hard. Just keep track of the few major assemblies. I've had my Homie 150 apart at least twice, the Mono once, and been relatively deep into my 066.

It's not rocket science...until you start doing mods. However straight assembly and disassembly is usually fairly simple.

Mark

 

[Buk]

As a 'Noob' myself, I'll agree with starting with a used saw. Two more things to consider -

1. Pick a used saw that you can get parts for!
2. Pick a used saw that is worth reworking!

I didn't know it at the time but was lucky that mine was a Stihl 028. Parts are available on eBay, at the local Stihl dealer(s), and at aftermarket online dealers..........

 

[Urbicide]

Husqvarna has IPLs and a lot of Workshop Manuals available on line. The manuals list the specialty tools required (or so recommended) to service particular saws. Bailey's has a number of service tools available. They can get anything related to Husky or Echo for you if you want, including the tools. Stihl guards their information more ($ to be made) so you have to order through a dealer. A member will help you out if you are lucky.opcorn:

 

[blis]

Husqvarna has IPLs and a lot of Workshop Manuals available on line. The manuals list the specialty tools required (or so recommended) to service particular saws. Bailey's has a number of service tools available. They can get anything related to Husky or Echo for you if you want, including the tools. Stihl guards their information more ($ to be made) so you have to order through a dealer. A member will help you out if you are lucky.opcorn:

about the tools, none are necessary if you got some creativity and normal tools, but ofcourse, they make the life easier...

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

If you want to gain some confidence, tear one apart and clean everything up, then re-assemble. Saws are really quite simple.
You can pull about a pound of oily sawdust out from an old saw, that alone makes it easier to carry around.

 

[litefoot]

That sounds like me. I am reading a book right now about basic chainsaw tuning, which another member on this site recommended. It"s called "2cycle tuning handbook" by Gordon Jennings. If you google it, you will easily find a site where you can download it in pdf format. Basic theoretic knowledge helps always when you start the practical part.

Then find yourself a used saw and use it as a learning project.

Have lots of fun.
Roland

Roland,
I couldn't find the link to the pdf doc you mentioned. Can you help?

Gasman,
http://www.dolmarusa.com/282.php has an excellent 2-stroke engine animation along with info on individual engine parts.

Joel

 

[Freakingstang]

good recomondations here. Just a word of caution....


CLEAN. Make sure it is clean before tearing it apart. Sawdust in the crankcase is never good.....

 

[blsnelling]

The guys here will be able to help you out with service manuals and IPLs. Ultra just sent them to me for 3 different saws. You'll get all the help you need here. You'll likely find more knowledge here than at your local dealer.

 

[belgian]

Roland,
I couldn't find the link to the pdf doc you mentioned. Can you help?

Gasman,
http://www.dolmarusa.com/282.php has an excellent 2-stroke engine animation along with info on individual engine parts.

Joel

check pm.

roland

 

[oldsaw]

If you want to gain some confidence, tear one apart and clean everything up, then re-assemble. Saws are really quite simple.
You can pull about a pound of oily sawdust out from an old saw, that alone makes it easier to carry around.

And that's on a small saw...

Mark

 

[gasman]

Thanks for all this encouragement. I'm officially looking for a new used saw now.

You guys might be sorry when I'm haunting chainsaw as much as OT :biggrinbounce2:

Thanks

 

[Tree Sling'r]

That sounds like me. I am reading a book right now about basic chainsaw tuning, which another member on this site recommended. It"s called "2cycle tuning handbook" by Gordon Jennings. If you google it, you will easily find a site where you can download it in pdf format. Basic theoretic knowledge helps always when you start the practical part.

Then find yourself a used saw and use it as a learning project.

Have lots of fun.
Roland

I just got that same book by Gordon Jennings, paid $115 used for it on Amazon.

Although I have already been doing my own saw work for a long time, I just want to understand the role of each part and what will happen when I do certain things.

Last year I rebuilt a 460 from 2 diff. saws - that was fun, took a couple hours and it ran great (modded piston - jug - exhaust port). Nice feeling.

 

[litefoot]

check pm.

roland

Roland,
Dank u / merci beaucoup / danke schon....whichever applies.

 

[b1rdman]

I took an Adult Education-Small Engine course at a local high school a few years back...100 bucks for 8 two hour sessions(once a week).

If you have the time and money I highly recommend this route. At the end of the class you will have a great deal of knowledge that applies to almost any gas engine. An added bonus is spotless and well tuned power equipment. Use of the parts washers alone was worth the money.

At the end of the class I had rebuilt MANY carbs, did the top end of a 14 hp briggs engine, and cleaned/ tuned all of my power equipment.

See if this is available in your area...it's well worth it.