Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[chipper1]

I was going thru my bars and chains and found a 3/8 small frame that will fit the 550XP. The only problem is that it is a 20 inch setup. I also found 2 18 inch bars but they are both .325 spockets.

Put it on and give it a shot. You'll just need to leave the rakers a bit higher.
As for the 455; I'd just swap the tank and run the cylinder missing the fin. As long as you have enough a sharp chain and good mix you should never have a problem with it getting hot, and you'd have a spare p&c if every needed.

 

[chipper1]

I like the 261s, they're strong runners, yet still light. I picked them out for little brush saws at work, when we got the go ahead to replace some tired 026/260s...they all run 3/8-20 chisel chain, but the bar length is purely for reach. I don't run them much, especially with the bar buried, but I did use one to cut my 462R's bar out of a big oopsie.

I built my mk1 550 with the intention of being able to bury that 20". I could've built a faster "cookie cutter" saw, but was chasing torque rather than rpm. I honestly don't run a 50cc that much, almost all of my cutting is done with my climbing saws or my ms400+ sized saws. The intent with this 550 was to be a larger saw I could carry on my dirt bike to cut big deadfall in the spring...stuff that is very much outside of the range of one of my climbing saws w/16" bars

I prefer the 550mk1 for handling over all other 50cc saws I've ran, but the 261s are a great saw.
In your softwoods a ported 550mk1 should have no problem running a 20, even buried.
Always nice to have a second saw for that occasion lol.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

I scrounged this 455 Rancher today for $30. It is a 2017 homeowner use that got straight gassed. The piston and cylinder are scored. I also have another 455 Rancher from a friend for free that got run over. The crushed saw runs great but the fuel tank is split open. It also has about 1/4 of the 2nd cooling fin from the top missing. Question is, do I just swap the top and piston from the running saw or go with a new aftermarket kit? If so on a kit, what brand? The last saw I rebuilt was back in 2005. It was a 262XP.

Good Score, and Im not talking about the piston and cylinder!

 

[chipper1]

Come on Brett , take ur pick lol

Nice collection bud. I wouldn't know where to start, never ran a fancy axe .

 

[chipper1]

Man what a good mix. Took some time on this one The only thing i wish i had was ash. Thats in a pile ready for January and February. That stuff will give me 14-18 hours.

Left to right this is going in the stove tomorrow morning for a 12-14 hour burn.

-three black locus
-two maple that seem to be pretty lightweight (burn hot)
-three REALLY hard maple
-one cherry
-two white oak

Fun stuff. Hope all is well guys.

Good to see you neighbor .
Sounds like you're staying busy.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

I was going thru my bars and chains and found a 3/8 small frame that will fit the 550XP. The only problem is that it is a 20 inch setup. I also found 2 18 inch bars but they are both .325 spockets.

If the tips are replaceable? Punch the tips out and replace with 3/8.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Ever tried a fiskars?

No, but I've heard of and seen them before. What's the scoop with a Fiskars?

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Tonight's meal consisted of locally grown grass fed beef! Fresh bottom loin grilled, smashed purple Magic Molly spuds from the Squaw's garden and a mix of garden grown and store bought salad fix'ns. The beef was excellent! As were the side's!


Eat hardy gentleman!

 

[MustangMike]

No, but I've heard of and seen them before. What's the scoop with a Fiskars?

They work far better than you think they will.

I just used someone else's once and had to get one of my own.

The X-27 (36" handle) is, IMO, the best one to use.

This is tough Chestnut Oak (look at some of the grain) all split with the X-27.

I surprised myself that I was able to split some of this stuff!

 

[Cowboy254]

Hey @COWBOY254 Everything going okay down under? I don't remember seeing any posts from you recently.

G'day! I haven't had much to post for a while. Going to work, coming home. We have had the wettest year in my life, it just won't stop raining. 3 inches of rain yesterday. Got caught in the heaviest raining thunderstorm of my life yesterday driving home from Melbourne, at one point there was a lightning strike about 1km away which three seconds later sent a bang through the ute and rocked it a little. I nearly sh@t myself. It has just been too wet to scrounge where I normally do. Disappointing.

Anyway, I'm heading down to my parents' place on the coast this weekend and will do a day's worth of scrounging for them and the weather looks ok at this point. Then I might have something worth posting!

 

[The Shooters Apprentice]

I scrounged this 455 Rancher today for $30. It is a 2017 homeowner use that got straight gassed. The piston and cylinder are scored. I also have another 455 Rancher from a friend for free that got run over. The crushed saw runs great but the fuel tank is split open. It also has about 1/4 of the 2nd cooling fin from the top missing. Question is, do I just swap the top and piston from the running saw or go with a new aftermarket kit? If so on a kit, what brand? The last saw I rebuilt was back in 2005. It was a 262XP.

I'd put the bigger 60cc top end on it.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

They work far better than you think they will.

I just used someone else's once and had to get one of my own.

The X-27 (36" handle) is, IMO, the best one to use.

This is tough Chestnut Oak (look at some of the grain) all split with the X-27.

I surprised myself that I was able to split some of this stuff!

Very interesting! I'll definitely have to try one out.

 

[mountainguyed67]

he read it all before posting. LOL.

I also read it all, the “Running loads” thread and ”Post pictures of your woodpile/splitting area” threads too.

 

[Kodiak Kid]

Well I should be sleeping right now, but late last night a good friend invited me on a Blacktial hunt in a remote area we will have to skiff to. Just got done getting my gear together so now Im off to bed fir a few hour nap. Then We're off to the hunting grounds at daylight. Supposed to be a day or two hunt but the weather here can be unpredictable, so I've packed a tent, nap sack, and a little heavy as far as food and clothing. I'll post in a few days with a hunt report.

Stay safe!

 

[JimR]

If the tips are replaceable? Punch the tips out and replace with 3/8.

I'll have to check the sprocket tip.

 

[farmer steve]

I'm ready to go work with @Logger nate or @Kodiak Kid now. Was out looking for some new work pants yesterday and found a pair of Carhartt LOGGER jeans. Had been looking for a while and not seen any in the stores around here. Gotta find some suspenders now.

 

[Squareground3691]

I'm ready to go work with @Logger nate or @Kodiak Kid now. Was out looking for some new work pants yesterday and found a pair of Carhartt LOGGER jeans. Had been looking for a while and not seen any in the stores around here. Gotta find some suspenders now.

These are the ones you want . https://www.loggersuspenders.com/

 

[mountainguyed67]

Get a Fiskars Splitting AX. Runsaround $60-70 at Wal Mart. I don't think they have an "X27" any more but the splitting ax is the same ax, different name.

Are there different length handles and weights?

A search just brought up tons of X27 axes, new at stores.

 

[abbott295]

I don't post much, but my wife had a long recovery from a knee replacement in January 2021. The knee was fine; it was the nerves that went crazy. Feeling pain in places there was no reason for them to have been affected. Pretty much over it now, I think.

 

[JimR]

I'd put the bigger 60cc top end on it.

I did notice that the 460 setup would fit. I think I'm going to go the easy fix and let it fly. I decided that I dont need another saw in my garage collecting dust.