Pioneer chainsaws

[Busmech]

Yes thats part of, it my western does have a sdc 80, and the throttle shaft is really bad on it but runs too good to mess with, I'm using it daily so I'm not pulling it apart.
Update: I think my issue is PO ran really rich mixes and rich fuel loads, I'm leaning it out every time I run it today, its REALLY starting to come alive, I think there too much carbon on the combustion chamber, the exguast wasn't too bad but entire insides were kinda brown/black including piston, muffler, plug. Its running MUCH MUCH better now and its letting me take the screws in a 1/16 at a time now and likes it, idle is improving greatly without smoke now. STARTING TO PULL HARD!!!!!! 24" full comp in 30" Maple is easy now.

I'll give it some time to clean out now.

Duane

It's possible the rings may have been a little carbon stuck and now they're freeing up. Sounds like you got a good one.

 

[hillwilliam]

Pick up that Farmsaw case with the epoxy on it from Ebay, bolt a P42 back together!!!, or you could sell me your P42 cylinder "IF" it was a two piece ignition cylinder. Or I think they are 6203-c3 bearings, or 6202 can't remember, but CHEAP!!!!!! easy to get.

Duane

Yeah, that Farmsaw case may be the best deal I've seen lately. Tomorrow mornin' I'll be sober, but that dang orange thing will still be ugly! It's my rod bearing that's shattered, so that bottom end should fix me up. Many of my 42 parts are on other saws now, though. My 42 jug is definitely for Phelon.

Glad you got a 405 to start to perk up. Still interested in a comparison when you get it running right. If i still lived in Washington, we'd drink some beer and get the women tired of hearing us talk about saws.

Jack

 

[timberdollars]

405's

Ok these 405 have become very interesting. The boost port one now runs great and was just clogged up with carbon or fuel. BUT!!! I now think this boost port saw is a 405 PLUS due to a boost port and a larger # Wj carb than the other one and NO decal on the handle.
The other 405 with the decal on it, I torn into tonight to fix the window issue and get it ready for a 455 P/c. Problem is theres nothing wrong with it and is SUPER SUPER CLEAN!!! Mufflers not even rusty yet, it has No boost port and No cut out in the case for one either. (kinda hampered my 455 Boost port idea too) its 100% so its going back together.
ALSO these cylinders are Nikasil coated NOT chrome like Pioneers and have no bridged exguast, still thin ring though.
The fiberglass reeds are very stiff on these too! And the piston and PINS are different between the two saws, boost port have a different style and sealed wrist pin hole.

The Quest continues!!!!

Duane

 

[litefoot]

Picked Up a Farmlite

Went to my favorite OOTPS (Out-Of-Town-Pawn-Shop) and saw this FarmLite sitting there on the floor in a black case. Physical condition looked good except for a broken chain brake handle. Compression "felt" good. Had a nice big puddle of bar oil at bottom of case...not sure why yet. I tell store owner I'm interested, but not sure about bar oil leak or whether I can fix chain brake. Owner says "Take it, you've bought plenty of saws from me already and I'm tired of seeing that thing sitting on the floor". :cool2: Anyway, I'm only getting about 110 psi compression, but the starter cord is kind of short so maybe the short-stroke s affecting that. It's got spark and the piston looks decent. Poured a spot of mix in the cylinder and it fired up. Didn't have enough fuel to fill the tank and check carb operation. This is my second Pioneer saw...the other is a P41...and they were both free! I'm beginning to like this brand!
View attachment 222805

 

[litefoot]

:msp_confused: I guess I haven't posted enough in this new forum format to know how to make pics appear instead of just the link.

 

[nstueve]

:msp_confused: I guess I haven't posted enough in this new forum format to know how to make pics appear instead of just the link.

I usually post the pics to my photobucket account and then copy and paste the IMG code for the picture directly into my post and it automatically appears.

 

[DSS]

Went to my favorite OOTPS (Out-Of-Town-Pawn-Shop) and saw this FarmLite sitting there on the floor in a black case. Physical condition looked good except for a broken chain brake handle. Compression "felt" good. Had a nice big puddle of bar oil at bottom of case...not sure why yet. I tell store owner I'm interested, but not sure about bar oil leak or whether I can fix chain brake. Owner says "Take it, you've bought plenty of saws from me already and I'm tired of seeing that thing sitting on the floor". :cool2: Anyway, I'm only getting about 110 psi compression, but the starter cord is kind of short so maybe the short-stroke s affecting that. It's got spark and the piston looks decent. Poured a spot of mix in the cylinder and it fired up. Didn't have enough fuel to fill the tank and check carb operation. This is my second Pioneer saw...the other is a P41...and they were both free! I'm beginning to like this brand!
View attachment 222805

Heres your pic and an IPL. Good looking saw. The farmlite has a better recoil than the other farmsaws. Nice grab.

http://www.rottmansales.com/IPLs/Pioneer/Farmlite_OPT.pdf

 

[timberdollars]

Farmlite

Went to my favorite OOTPS (Out-Of-Town-Pawn-Shop) and saw this FarmLite sitting there on the floor in a black case. Physical condition looked good except for a broken chain brake handle. Compression "felt" good. Had a nice big puddle of bar oil at bottom of case...not sure why yet. I tell store owner I'm interested, but not sure about bar oil leak or whether I can fix chain brake. Owner says "Take it, you've bought plenty of saws from me already and I'm tired of seeing that thing sitting on the floor". :cool2: Anyway, I'm only getting about 110 psi compression, but the starter cord is kind of short so maybe the short-stroke s affecting that. It's got spark and the piston looks decent. Poured a spot of mix in the cylinder and it fired up. Didn't have enough fuel to fill the tank and check carb operation. This is my second Pioneer saw...the other is a P41...and they were both free! I'm beginning to like this brand!
View attachment 222805

Looks really clean, I say a OUTSTANDING deal, 110 is ok for these might even increase after running it some with new fuel. If memory serves correct pretty much the same saw a P38, small bore, open transfers. Great saws.

Run it!!! or off it to me for three times your investment

Duane

 

[huck01955]

Heres your pic and an IPL. Good looking saw. The farmlite has a better recoil than the other farmsaws. Nice grab.

http://www.rottmansales.com/IPLs/Pioneer/Farmlite_OPT.pdf

Saw looks great

 

[litefoot]

Well, it's looking better by the minute. Looks like the 'Lites bar oil leak may be nothing at all...AND... I fueled it, fired it and it runs!:msp_w00t: Tuned the low side of the carb and it's purring nicely. Gonna take it home to my firewood pile and see how it holds RPMS with a load. BTW, it may say "FarmLite", but there's nothing "lite" about a 16 lb saw with only 58cc. LOL! Now I've got to turn to look at the chain brake.

Edit: Chain brake looks mechanically fine. Just need the handle.

 

[timberdollars]

P42 Western mystery solved!!! 405's are fine

Solved the Extreme power issue of my P42 western versus 405 boost port. My P42 Western has a SDC 80 AND!!! Boyesen two stage reed!!! talked to local shop whom I didn't know used to be a NW distributor for Pioneer. He told me all westerns had two stage reeds, sdc 80, and outer muffler covers replaced with P62, giving dual outlets. (just like mine) He said they did that to ALL Western here in Wa. Also most had the Jugs shaved when purchased.
After hearing this I went home and took apart my good running P42 W, Sure as Sh**, just as he said!!!!!!!!!!

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN TWO STAGE REEDS!!!! Throttle response is CRAZY! 405s have fiberglass single stage.

anyone have any more two stage???
Might be time to put the two stage block from the P42 on my boost port 405!!

Duane

 

[hillwilliam]

Gnarly four cube

Solved the Extreme power issue of my P42 western versus 405 boost port. My P42 Western has a SDC 80 AND!!! Boyesen two stage reed!!! talked to local shop whom I didn't know used to be a NW distributor for Pioneer. He told me all westerns had two stage reeds, sdc 80, and outer muffler covers replaced with P62, giving dual outlets. (just like mine) He said they did that to ALL Western here in Wa. Also most had the Jugs shaved when purchased.
After hearing this I went home and took apart my good running P42 W, Sure as Sh**, just as he said!!!!!!!!!!

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN TWO STAGE REEDS!!!! Throttle response is CRAZY! 405s have fiberglass single stage.

anyone have any more two stage???
Might be time to put the two stage block from the P42 on my boost port 405!!

Duane

Sounds like you're in pretty good shape other than being unable to put the 455 jug on the non-BP 405. Might could mill some meat off the case as needed - haven't tried it beyond basic case matching.

Your 42 must be a real western Western. As I remember, mine came w/ single-stage phenolic reed and normal muffler. (The good stuff may have been robbed off it before I got it, although it was new.) I may have switched to the SDC 80 right after I got it, unless that's what it came with. Anyway, that's what I always ran on it - can't remember if I reamed the venturi for a four-cuber or not. My Western was acquired in New Mexico in a logging comp. I immediately sold the Stihl I'd won the week before in Colorado, and I'm sure you know why.

I have approximate thickness measurements here somewhere, in case you decide to make your own two-stage reeds. The little reed is thinner. You could probably go by the thicknesses of those little bitty reeds we each bought. Wonder if they would fit in Litefoot's new Farmlite.

Hillwilliam Jack

 

[timberdollars]

Pioneer westerns

Sounds like you're in pretty good shape other than being unable to put the 455 jug on the non-BP 405. Might could mill some meat off the case as needed - haven't tried it beyond basic case matching.

Your 42 must be a real western Western. As I remember, mine came w/ single-stage phenolic reed and normal muffler. (The good stuff may have been robbed off it before I got it, although it was new.) I may have switched to the SDC 80 right after I got it, unless that's what it came with. Anyway, that's what I always ran on it - can't remember if I reamed the venturi for a four-cuber or not. My Western was acquired in New Mexico in a logging comp. I immediately sold the Stihl I'd won the week before in Colorado, and I'm sure you know why.

I have approximate thickness measurements here somewhere, in case you decide to make your own two-stage reeds. The little reed is thinner. You could probably go by the thicknesses of those little bitty reeds we each bought. Wonder if they would fit in Litefoot's new Farmlite.

Hillwilliam Jack

I'm pretty HAPPY now! I found the secrets out! I'm not to worried about the 455 thing, both these 405's are LIKE BRAND NEW!!! cylinders rings pistons spotless. There to nice to grind on or do anything too. The non boost port will go back together in the morning, the JB weld is drying today and tonight I used on the fuel tank window. The rings are great, in fact the new rings I have are even a tad wider on the gap? I using the old ones anyway.
Guess I'm hunting for a 455 carcass or 4 cube to convert still, one on feebay! my 455 piston is enroute. ( just hope it comes as a Boost Port version) didn't know about that issue till yesterday!

I contacted Boyesen today but no reply yet, Issue is I need the Material to make the reeds, like you said two thicknesses. I can use my 42 reeds as templates.

Too bad we're so far apart, If closer we could drink beer and race Pioneers!!!!! I have some nice 30" Maple


Duane

Sorry but I've been WOUND up over these I really like them!! Reed Valve Power "OH YAH"

 

[hillwilliam]

I'm pretty HAPPY now! I found the secrets out! I'm not to worried about the 455 thing, both these 405's are LIKE BRAND NEW!!! cylinders rings pistons spotless. There to nice to grind on or do anything too. The non boost port will go back together in the morning, the JB weld is drying today and tonight I used on the fuel tank window. The rings are great, in fact the new rings I have are even a tad wider on the gap? I using the old ones anyway.
Guess I'm hunting for a 455 carcass or 4 cube to convert still, one on feebay! my 455 piston is enroute. ( just hope it comes as a Boost Port version) didn't know about that issue till yesterday!

I contacted Boyesen today but no reply yet, Issue is I need the Material to make the reeds, like you said two thicknesses. I can use my 42 reeds as templates.

Too bad we're so far apart, If closer we could drink beer and race Pioneers!!!!! I have some nice 30" Maple


Duane

Sorry but I've been WOUND up over these I really like them!! Reed Valve Power "OH YAH"

Here's all I have about making reeds: asp-rocketry.com has G10 fiberglass sheet. Hobby shop stuff would probably work. Measurements I took from my reeds are .017" and .026" or .432 mm and .660 mm. Anything close to those thicknesses would likely be just dandy.

Glad you like the Pioneers as much as i do. Like you, I had a lot of different saws, and good ones, over the years. I'm down to just Pioneers for a reason.

Jack

 

[Bret4207]

Should ahve put this here instead of the main saw page

Blast from the past!

I finally got around to figuring out what was wrong with my neighbors Pioneer 1200A. It had sat in a shed for 10-20 years. They drained the tar out of the tank and that's as far as they got. First I had to work the gas cap down since it had swelled so that you had to use channels locks to open and close it. 20 minutes with a file and some testing and it's works pretty good. It idled fine believe it or not but wouldn't rev at all. Put in a carb kit to be safe and made new fuel lines from Tygon. A little tuning and a good sharpening and she's running like new! What a nice old saw. She's carrying a 20" bar which is fine for balance but in dead oak with the bar buried that's about all she wants and if you lean on it at all it's too much. In smaller wood, say 10" stuff she's fine. Nice old saw, it'll idle all day long, something few other saws I've seen will do. And I mean it'll just sit there and idle for 10-15 minutes and then go right back to cutting. That's unusual in my experience.

I also fixed his sons Poulan 4218. He had left the gas in it and it turned to gum. Ended up having to put a new carb in it. Just couldn't get the crap out of the passages. Of course these days you can buy a new Zama for a little over 2x the cost of a carb kit, so I guess it's a trade off.

It'll be nice to drop off these saws, no charge. These guys have done me a million favors and at last I get to return a little of that.

ETA- Took the saws over to him and he was tickled! Tried to pay me but I explained about owing him. So instead he gave me a P50!!! He's got a few others to fix too, like his old favorite Jonserds 49. Took the P50 home and washed the 30 years of shed grime off it. The old girls in pretty fair shape. Fuel line was rotted off in the tank so I replaced that. It' got spark and good compression. Washed the rest of the saw down, soaked the chain enough to get it moving and got the trigger working for the first time in 30 or so years. Air filter is in good shape even! I'm going to try to get some fuel to it soon.

I used to have a P51 I foolishly let go. Having that big green in my hands again is nice!

 

[huck01955]

Blast from the past!

I finally got around to figuring out what was wrong with my neighbors Pioneer 1200A. It had sat in a shed for 10-20 years. They drained the tar out of the tank and that's as far as they got. First I had to work the gas cap down since it had swelled so that you had to use channels locks to open and close it. 20 minutes with a file and some testing and it's works pretty good. It idled fine believe it or not but wouldn't rev at all. Put in a carb kit to be safe and made new fuel lines from Tygon. A little tuning and a good sharpening and she's running like new! What a nice old saw. She's carrying a 20" bar which is fine for balance but in dead oak with the bar buried that's about all she wants and if you lean on it at all it's too much. In smaller wood, say 10" stuff she's fine. Nice old saw, it'll idle all day long, something few other saws I've seen will do. And I mean it'll just sit there and idle for 10-15 minutes and then go right back to cutting. That's unusual in my experience.

I also fixed his sons Poulan 4218. He had left the gas in it and it turned to gum. Ended up having to put a new carb in it. Just couldn't get the crap out of the passages. Of course these days you can buy a new Zama for a little over 2x the cost of a carb kit, so I guess it's a trade off.

It'll be nice to drop off these saws, no charge. These guys have done me a million favors and at last I get to return a little of that.

ETA- Took the saws over to him and he was tickled! Tried to pay me but I explained about owing him. So instead he gave me a P50!!! He's got a few others to fix too, like his old favorite Jonserds 49. Took the P50 home and washed the 30 years of shed grime off it. The old girls in pretty fair shape. Fuel line was rotted off in the tank so I replaced that. It' got spark and good compression. Washed the rest of the saw down, soaked the chain enough to get it moving and got the trigger working for the first time in 30 or so years. Air filter is in good shape even! I'm going to try to get some fuel to it soon.

I used to have a P51 I foolishly let go. Having that big green in my hands again is nice!

It just like they say good things come to good people hope your 50 works out good

 

[edisto]

Finally...

As a Canadian, I always felt that not having any Pioneers in my collection was a bit of an embarassment. I jumped at the chance when Modified Mark offered up 3 P28s in one of the welfare threads, and my wife, surprisingly, picked up a 1073 for me for $10 at a flea market...

I'm just not really into small saws though.

Ever since I learned about Pioneers, I always wanted a 650. I just won't pay more than $50 for an old saw on eBay to avoid disappointments, and vintage saws rarely turn up in my area. Almost a month ago, I found one with a starting bid of $35. The saw was listed as a "Poineer", and I was the only bidder. The seller was not good with returning e-mails, and I was pretty sure I was going to have to file a claim, but she showed up today!

I'm going to have to dig into her a little deeper once I get a few things off of my plate, but the "best saw on the market" claims seem to be well-founded from looking at the build quality. I shouldn't get so excited about trivial matters, but even the extra screen filter over the flocked screen impressed me.

She's hard to pull, and I can't get much of a compression reading, but I am looking forward to tearing this one down.

 

[huck01955]

As a Canadian, I always felt that not having any Pioneers in my collection was a bit of an embarassment. I jumped at the chance when Modified Mark offered up 3 P28s in one of the welfare threads, and my wife, surprisingly, picked up a 1073 for me for $10 at a flea market...

I'm just not really into small saws though.

Ever since I learned about Pioneers, I always wanted a 650. I just won't pay more than $50 for an old saw on eBay to avoid disappointments, and vintage saws rarely turn up in my area. Almost a month ago, I found one with a starting bid of $35. The saw was listed as a "Poineer", and I was the only bidder. The seller was not good with returning e-mails, and I was pretty sure I was going to have to file a claim, but she showed up today!

I'm going to have to dig into her a little deeper once I get a few things off of my plate, but the "best saw on the market" claims seem to be well-founded from looking at the build quality. I shouldn't get so excited about trivial matters, but even the extra screen filter over the flocked screen impressed me.

She's hard to pull, and I can't get much of a compression reading, but I am looking forward to tearing this one down.

Nice find congratulation on your find

 

[pioneerguy600]

As a Canadian, I always felt that not having any Pioneers in my collection was a bit of an embarassment. I jumped at the chance when Modified Mark offered up 3 P28s in one of the welfare threads, and my wife, surprisingly, picked up a 1073 for me for $10 at a flea market...

I'm just not really into small saws though.

Ever since I learned about Pioneers, I always wanted a 650. I just won't pay more than $50 for an old saw on eBay to avoid disappointments, and vintage saws rarely turn up in my area. Almost a month ago, I found one with a starting bid of $35. The saw was listed as a "Poineer", and I was the only bidder. The seller was not good with returning e-mails, and I was pretty sure I was going to have to file a claim, but she showed up today!

I'm going to have to dig into her a little deeper once I get a few things off of my plate, but the "best saw on the market" claims seem to be well-founded from looking at the build quality. I shouldn't get so excited about trivial matters, but even the extra screen filter over the flocked screen impressed me.

She's hard to pull, and I can't get much of a compression reading, but I am looking forward to tearing this one down.

She looks pretty solid and in decent enough shape, shouldn`t take much to make her a runner.

 

[edisto]

She looks pretty solid and in decent enough shape, shouldn`t take much to make her a runner.

I really like the way they are put together from what I have seen, and I haven't even scratched the surface. This one definitely is moving to the top of the list!