I have an old XL-12 that I'm currently running a 16" bar on. The freakin things rips! Was wondering about a larger bar. Would she pull a 24"? Or should I not go past 20"?
Those are tough old saws, amazing how many xl12 and super XL"s are still cutting wood. A 24 inch bar on a homelite XL is probably too much bar.
The 24" was the longest bar Homelite sold with the Super XL's, it is rated for it. I have one that I occasionally put on mine when needed. It certainly will pull it. Generally I keep one Super XL with a 20" bar on it and the other with a 16". I have bigger saws I can run a 24 or bigger bar on if need be but the Super XL is the one that just never quits & it's lighter, so I do have a 24" bar for it and it pulls a full comp chain through Northern Red Oak with no problems. You could get a semi-skip tooth chain for it instead of a full comp. and it will have an easier time. Edit; Just noticed you asked about an XL-12 not Super XL. It is a little less powerful than the Super but it did also come with a 24" bar as the max size so, shouldn't have an issue. Just FYI, it does tend to be a bit nose heavy and falls forward a lot when you put it down.
I was told the XL12 is 54cc. Said also, maybe a 24 w full skip chain if you’re in a pinch. Probably won’t be happy with it.
I'm thinkin 20" with full house chain is the way to go. I run 24" skip on my Pro Mac 55 so i guess there is no real need for anything bigger than 20" on the Homelite.
24" B/C on that saw would work, but it would stall out once in a while... I'd say a 20" with full chisel chain would be perfect, and would suit your needs bucking clear up to 36" diameter logs with ease, in most instances. I've rebuilt several old Homies, and they are definitely good saws, legends of their day.......
I absolutely love it! I much prefer to run it and my Mac over the newer Husky. The sound alone is fantastic
Homelite Super XL was my first saw. It developed a problem with the gas line and the shop I took it to told me they couldn't fix it. That is when I bought my Stihl 029 Super. I didn't know much about saws back then.
Most saw shops these days are getting ridiculous. They refuse to even look at anything over five years old, just want to sell you a new saw every time you walk through the door. Saying they couldn't fix a fuel line on a Super XL is like the GM Dealership telling you that you need a new car cause your current one has a flat tire.
Micah they were a diehard saw made for many years they were rated for a 24" bar I have several with different bar lengths they are best suited with 20" but a 24 with skip chain is no problem it just makes it a nose heavy and you are at the max for bar length always best to run a saw with the bar length one back from the max length rated for constant cutting if you need anything for it I have many Old Homelites are one of my favorite hoarding traits JB
Any saw shop that would tell you that is not a saw shop but a box store that wants to up there sales quota its always easier to sell a new saw than fix anything JB
I have an old Red. Not sure of the year.....i'll try and get some pics up today....if I can figure out how to do that.
