would like to know more about homelite 360

[MOE]

My Dad was given a decent looking homelite 360 professional,(he in turn gave it to me). It seems like a solid,well built saw. It supposedly won't start; I haven't had time to try it. Are these good saws? How big of bar will they handle in hardwood? I seem to be starting a collection of free homelites,(I was given a C-9 a month ago). thanks

 

[Dadatwins]

Depends what you define as a good saw. Most are great saws when they run, & Royal POS when they don't.` I have a 360 with a 20" bar, I have run it with a 24" bar but it is a bit much. Not as high a rev saw as a stihl but it will cut some wood. Nice anti vibe system, compared to the older homelite XL -12. Problems I have found if the saw sits a while the rubber carb boots dissolve and soften and must be replaced. The boots are still available from $14 - 20 bucks each. Other bad thing is the spark system is weak and hard to check because of the screw in condenser over the spark plug. Good luck with the saw.

 

[turnkey4099]

My Dad was given a decent looking homelite 360 professional,(he in turn gave it to me). It seems like a solid,well built saw. It supposedly won't start; I haven't had time to try it. Are these good saws? How big of bar will they handle in hardwood? I seem to be starting a collection of free homelites,(I was given a C-9 a month ago). thanks

I had one that ate many a cord until it ingested the electrode from the spark plug. New piston/rod assy fixed that but neither I nor the dealer could ever get it to run right again. I suspect the dealer didn't have a good tech.

They were good saws in their day. They would cut with the stihls though. I went against 028s who would outcut me handily. Just not enough revs.

Harry K

 

[gunrac]

Little story. Thanks for this thread Moe, I got my laugher off again. I remember when this saw hit the market, my dad bought one. It was a good saw for that time. 2 PULLS AN SHE FIRED. Improved it with a 16" bar, It would flat fly. We used it as a ground saw for 3 or 4 years. She started getting harder an harder to start. Keep in mind, dad was a hell of a climber, but not very mechanically inclined. This saw was one of the earlier models with electronic ignition, and that was stamped on top of the engine housing. He picked it up one day, and it wouldn't start. After he cooled down a little, I just causally asked him when the last time he changed the plug last. He spoke up an said," it's electronic ignition, it ain't got a spark plug. " We was eating a sandwich and I just walked over an pealed off the plug housing. He just smiled an said I've had that saw for 4 years an never knew it had a spark plug. I told him not to tell the saw shop guy, but he did anyways, we all laughed our ass off.

 

[lesorubcheek]

Love 360s. I've got 2 that run and one in restoration. A little heavy compared to modern saws, but very rugged. My dad had one (actually a 350 that replaced his old David Bradley) that lasted for years and getting it running again has been what's fueled my recent chainsaw craze. Plenty of parts available out there for restoring. Rubber carb connector as mentioned previously almost certainly will need replacing as will oil softened anti-vibes. Check with Hawkins Bros if you need parts, they've been a really good source and good prices too.

Ignition system is unique on these saws. Same idea as used on the 450, 550, 650, and 750 with a trigger mounted off the flywheel and a transformer that screwed over the spark plug. Makes testing spark a little difficult, but running a few lead wires and its do-able. Only ignition trouble I've ran into was a poor connection between the transformer and the base it attaches to.

One saw has a 16" and the other a 20". Latest working was with some pecan and the 20" pulled fine through it. Not so high revving, but a good strong power curve throughout.

Hope you keep your saw alive. Best of luck!