max2cam
ArboristSite Guru
PS: Plus the SOLO has a LOGICAL model numbering system unlike a certain other German chainsaw brand....
max2cam said:One thing I'm not crazy about on this SOLO 690 are the muffler fasteners. They are some kind of Torx(?) screw that you can also use the skrench on. I'm replacing them with bolts on the two bottom muffler mounts and Allen-type hex screws for the two manifold fasteners. Then I'll put good star washers under them and use lots of Locktite and check them frequently.
Waiting for a longer hex wrench so I can put this Beast back together.
The 690 has become my favorite chainsaw because it is the most satisfying to run and it sounds cool like a dirtbike.
Kinda wish I had a SOLO 651 and a SOLO 662 or 667 to keep it company.....
Greg Carberry said:I like the muffler fasteners myself, they are torx with teeth on the bottom seem to bite into the muffler and hold well.
I've noticed Solos seem to be less restricted than other saws. They have a much deeper tone. I sold my neighbor a 651SP and I can always hear him cutting firewood a 1/2 mile away. Thats bone stock, personally I like them right out of the box don't need any mods but I don't cut for a living.
A 662/667 would be a nice companion to your 690, I really enjoy my 662. Their a little heavier and not as fast as others but totally rock solid.
oldsaw-addict said:Which one? theres Stihl, and Dolmar.
Saw Man said:Strongly advise against using internal or external star washers on the muffler bolts that go thru the muffler.
Muffler is about 18 ga folded sheet metal, and the vibration may fatigue the metal, causing it to vibrate, and cause muffler cracks faster.
Also aggravating this is when making certain cuts the muffler may touch-rub wood putting stress on the muffler & fasteners as it's levered against.
Have had good success by cleaning the cylinder holes, and fastener threads with Acetone, or Loc Tite cleaner, then applying Red # 271/272 Loc Tite.
Ideal fastener is Torx or Torx Plus, with serations that lock into the muffler.
say what?Saw Man said:Dolmar ... having the honor of producing The World's First Chain Saw
Hmm. This brings a few different scenarios to my mind. Either Stihl is greatly underwhelmed by the intelligence level of their average user, hence saying that he won't know the difference, or they're marketing to the homeowner market--a group that is more likely to not know the difference. Another scenario is Stihl, as a bigger company, is trying to tie Dolmar's resources (smaller than Stihl's) up with bogus lawsuits, therefore hurting them. I hate this kind of bs. One thing is certain, though, Stihl feels threatened by Dolmar.Saw Man said:There wasreportedly a couple lawsuits, or attempts fron Stihl against Dolmar.
Most recent about two years ago was over color change by Dolmar. They started to use new new 'modern' glossy pastel orange & gray that have become popular. What was organge on a Dolmar was gray on Stihl.
Stihl 'sued' contending that people would think they're the same, being confused or not knowing would buy a Dolmar. Thereby Stihl would lose business, and severly hurt sales.
Dolmar dropped the orange & gray to avoid the suit penalties, going back to it's signature colors of orange & black. New Pro saws coloring will be gloss orange with black accents like the PS6400,7300,7900.
scottr said:Max , that 662 or the 667 would probably fell those 24" diameter Red Pines so fast that you would have more milling time . I haven't heard anyone mention but I'll say that when I took the muffler off my Solo built B45 that the bolt heads fit in a notch and the nuts are lock nuts . No threaded holes to strip and no locktite needed . Scott