Gents, I was noodling some huge Silver Maple rounds yesterday, and was reminded how quickly the Noodle’s jam up the chain. I ran into the issue last year on my MS-441 on some huge Ash rounds, and this time it was my MS-261 AND my 441. The noodles get jammed between the chain and the clutch cover in just a matter of seconds...what do y’all do technique-wise to combat this tendency?
One thing you can try is to not over feed it...go a little slower in the cut to allow the noodles to go out. You could mod your clutch cover which isn’t ideal.
make sure there is a few inches between the round and the dogs/clutch cover. I will also noodle on an angle (slightly up or slightly down, not on an angle to the left or right). I might also let the noodles clear out a bit before plunging back into the round.
Was tired of shavings plugging up original clutch cover on my McCulloch Super Pro 125C,so I acquired a beat up one off a mid 60's 200 series model & made a few modifications with 4.5" grinder & extra thin cut off wheel....
When the saw starts to plug change the angle of the saw.Raise the back of the saw up and it will help clear it
Cut-up clutch cover, either roller or no chain catcher (dedicated noodle saw), and only a small inner spike with the points ground down flush (less grabby). I noodle a lot so I built a saw dedicated to it. Size helps... 85cc 064 was my choice.
I keep the tip down, clutch up. Usually clears the noodles pretty well, otherwise modify the cover or find what's called a west coast cover. Bigger opening for chip clearance.
Always plugged up my Stihls with noodles. The clutch cover design does not encourage noodling. No problem at all with my Dolmars.
I've used the west coast, or over-size, clutch cover on my 660 noodling but didn't help much. Maybe it's the chain roller/catcher. The same thing with my 372 but it has a chain catcher too.
I used to spool them up using fork & spoon, nowdays I pre-cut them before I start eating and just use a fork.
As mentioned above, if you can, keep the bar at a slight angle to shorten the noodles. And don't bury the tip, let them fling forward when you can. Like this
My Worx 303.1 will noodle this way if I take it easy. It's better than the Stihl MS170 but no match for the 5105.
I have to agree with amateur cutter . Keep the saw at an angle to the grain and the shorter noodles will clear better.
