james archibald
ArboristSite Lurker
Congratulations, you have as much money into your ***** POS as a knocked around 262 or 272.
Perhaps a severely knocked around one, for just the saw as a starting point. I didn't want another used saw.Congratulations, you have as much money into your ***** POS as a knocked around 262 or 272.
There is a good chance that the device most of us are using to post here is a ***** POS. I don't like it but it is the way it is. World trade agreements are beyond my control and pay grade.
This particular manufacturer (which I believe is Zhongjian Tools) makes various versions of older Zenoah designs, including the Earthquake which is sold through many large US retailers. I do not know what the relationship, if any, was between the two companies. However, Zenoah did have versions of the GZ400 built in China, so it is quite possible the manufacture of the older designs is legitimate. It is not uncommon for a company to sell the rights to older designs. It seems unlikely that major US companies would sell pirated products as that would be a large liability.Sorry to take the bait here and derail the thread.
There is free trade and there is fair trade. You can control what you purchace and advise others to purchace. What we have here most likely involves patent infringement and as Chris has stated it doesn't carry the cost of getting epa certified.
I find this thread superior to buying and selling tactics on craig's list and a number of other common themes on here.
I find the pie chart in post 50 informative and will save it to file to try and figure out what other discussiions on here mean. Since this one is not epa certified perhaps it isn't legally improper to modify it.
Fran
One of the reasons I did this was to see what the situation really was. I don't disagree with your comments in principal, but you've overplayed it a little bit as the only actual failure was the oil pump line. The carb is fine - I've seen much worse quality with a Walbro name on it, and I am only considering replacing it because it seemed small (but it is the same size as on a 262). The top cover stayed on fine but did not align well, so I didn't need to fix that but it bugged me.Interesting and informative Chris, and thanks for sharing a closer look. But I really gotta take a couple shots at this saw. (not at you)
Guys are talking about the timing numbers here, but I'm thinking about the financial numbers. $210 to the door is really not that great of a deal for something of such dubious origin. And you've already identified so many flaws in it's brief stay that words like crap and junk are not unjustified. Right on the heals of that $210 are some costs that the typical buyer would quickly face. The hokey bar and chain will not last long, assuming the saw runs long enough to wear them out. Figure another $50 right there. The top cover wouldn't stay on, the air filter won't seal, the saw stopped oiling, the carb is suspect, and the bar and chain are borderline useless. And all for just $210. Call now, operators are standing by! Did someone say junk? Where would Joe Consumer go to get that torn oil line? The average person would not be able, or even inclined to do all the alterations that you did to make this saw somewhat usable. They would feel totally screwed and that's exactly how they should feel. The average yard sale saw wouldn't have that many issues.
All that talk of trying different, (and real), carbs is interesting from hobby/curiosity standpoint, but again, $210 for the "raw materials" for this project seems out of line for what you get. There are so many used saws that could be had for much less money, that would yield much better results.
Simple - a 170 is a really cheaply made plastic clamshell, and chainsaws don't really cost that much to make which means that they can sell the low end ones cheap if they want to. They'll make their money on the expensive ones. And a 170 isn't a 62cc saw either.I've really enjoyed this thread. So glad it was someone else's money used for a change. Really makes one have to wonder how Stihl can put out a serviceable saw for around $179 (170) that doesn't have any of the mentioned issues present on the Chicom saw. I'm hoping he'll purchase a Yugo, or Daiwoo next. LOL.
What if it doesn't?I'm with the guy who thinks you're going to end up with a shop floor ornament sooner than you think, probably on your second or third tank.
Then I would suggest you not get one. I'd also suggest there are plenty of things in life you can get stressed about, some of them actually important. This isn't one.A piece of **** is a piece of ****. I believe the Pinto's gas tank was unprotected behind the rear bumper, but was an easy fix, otherwise the car was mechanically sound for a fuel miser of the 70's.
As far as the saw goes, if such poor attention was given to its assembly, fit and finish, what makes you think anymore care went into the casting, metallurgy and electronics???? That you defend such an obvious piece of **** astounds me. I don't condone making excuses for companies that produce obviously inferior products, no matter the price point. Use your previous Poulan 50cc analogy as an example, even though they come with a ****** bar and chain.
I'm a firm believer, after many DECADES of being disappointed, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I'm also willing to bet a Stihl MS170, Echo, Husky, or Poulan will probably out-cut, and certainly outlast, that Chi-com 62cc saw. The quality just isn't there, and that;s just from reading your postings / findings. The bar's ****, the chain's **** etc... Hell. I'm certain I could spend a few hundred dollars and have one of the saw porters on this site "massage" it to make it "acceptable" as a 62cc saw, but that would be galactically stupid, IMHO.
Then I would suggest you not get one. I'd also suggest there are plenty of things in life you can get stressed about, some of them actually important. This isn't one.
If you are considering buying a 090, either real or copy, then you obviously have no problem disposing of cash - they are almost totally pointless as useful tools for cutting wood, rather they are toys to be played with. I am curious what other saws you have?I'm grateful he has the disposable cash to spend on such saw. As I said earlier, I've been very interested in the AM Stihl 137cc class saws. Huge difference in price between OEM and AM. Next, perhaps he can post a Chicom AM build thread of a complete Stihl 090?
If you are considering buying a 090, either real or copy, then you obviously have no problem disposing of cash - they are almost totally pointless as useful tools for cutting wood, rather they are toys to be played with. I am curious what other saws you have?
If you've got 60" cedars then you'd be one of the few that could use an 090 for the purpose it was intended.Pretty close to every Stihl made now, and since 1990
Several Husky's L series through 372 and 288
Couple of Poulan Pro's 3700-5200
Some really old Maxs
Some reallt old Homelites
Some really old Pioneers
Some really old Partners
Some really old Prtners
Some really old Dolmars
Just curious, which newer saw would you suggest to flush cut a 60"+ cedar? Lots of them now thanks to the 400,000+ acre "rimfire" in California.
Oh, I can read. You've made your point quite clear and are nowhere near as subtle as you believe.Strongly suggest you read it again. I praised him for spending his money and educating us on such a saw, even saluted him. You not understand ENGLISH?
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