I was checking out the ones that West Coast Saws sells and although they’re nice, I wasn’t too impressed with the machine work. I figured I could make something a little better. If I was to make a bunch of them I’d have to really sit down and refine the process, optimize my programs and get the cutting time down. It could be done though.
OEM cover is 0.32 pounds, my custom cover is at 0.8 pounds right now. I'm going to change a couple things in the design to lighten it up some more.
I got my order of 6 oem Husqvarna momentary stop switches These are the ticket for heavy use saws. I bought a couple of d009 .50 20" bar's They were only 14.00 each shipped Nice bar's they are laminate bar's but seem well made. That's a neat speed square for marking around boards or posts It's in metric but i like it.
One thing that has failed often on my china 372 saws are the start/stop switches That's one thing they cannot get right They have been reliable otherwise No real issues. Just a occasional fuel or pulse line needed replaced.
It’s alive! Bwahahahaha I’m going to remember for next time: ring compressors are good tools to have. https://youtube.com/shorts/ou8I1t7ejdk?si=fZoLkDfDK-Rr7B4y
It’s pig rich right now, with basically open exhaust. I just have the part of the muffler on that bolts to the cylinder. Have to finish getting a diverter on the other half of the muffler, then get the bar/chain on, air filter etc then I can attempt tuning it. I really hope the crank seals are still good. Oiler is pumping plenty of bar oil.
I traded labor with a coworker who boogered this deflector onto the muffler for me. My original deflector concept wasn’t going to work, as the plastic for the saw was right up close to the muffler. This’ll send the exhaust forward, similar to the factory setup (which the holes for it are still going to be utilized). It’ll do for now. In hindsight I think this will be better than a gaping hole anyway.
The basket case 028 I got last month is finally together and runs well. What a difference in having the muffler on it versus yesterday with it wide open. I did a rough tuning in the dark just now but I want to tweak it in closer, cutting some actual wood later this week. It idles great and revs right up. Since I wasn’t really chasing my tail trying to tune it, I’m cautiously optimistic that the crank seals are good. My custom aluminum cover needs a little tweaking in a couple spots to fit this particular saw. For now that’s on my XS 029 super. No biggie. Looking forward to putting this saw in wood soon! What I did: New used OEM cylinder, lightly honed and mildly ported New piston, rings, wrist pin and bearing Modded muffler New bar/chain New chain brake lever New fuel line/filter
Nice work Eric! We'll have to GTG with 028's and cut somewhere. Cant recall the last time mine cut wood. Its been a while. Dumb question: Could you have easily put an 028s top end in there? I assume its the same "chassis"?
Excellent question and you’re absolutely right. I could have gone that route and had an 028 super which is a 46mm bore compared to the 44mm I have now. Hindsight I probably should have, but I just didn’t for whatever reason. At the time I was kinda tunnel visioned on getting it going, not really thinking bigger scope. I plan on going bigger with that Husqvarna 61 I have when it comes time to freshen the top end. A newer 272 cylinder is a direct bolt on for those saws.