my MS250 with 18" bar, semi chisel chain, and muffler mod. It bore cuts just fine. These are made of standing dead Ash. I keep my chain sharp all the time. This saw cuts a better than the Husky 55 Rancher I just picked up. I'm getting close to needing a new chain after 2 years of firewood cutting and lots of clearing. I tend to get into old fence and get in the dirt some cleaning out some of the old fence lines. This saw has been a beast for me for its size and weight. I'll have to do a muffler mod on the Husky and give them another comparison. The husky cuts good, but is just too quiet for me. I like to put my earplugs in and let em rip.
How did you get the plug out after making the four cuts MAF143 or does it go all the way through the bottom?
After making the four plunge cuts, lay your bar along the log to see how far those plunges went in, I go in to the dogs. Come back an inch or so and make a plunge cut from the side of the log to cut off the plug at the bottom. This also makes the air intake hole for the "rocket stove" to draw air to the combustion chamber at the bottom of the square hole. I angle this slightly so when I squirt some citronella torch fuel in there it won't run back out and pools at the bottom of the hole. Light a starter and toss it down the hole and it should start fairly soon. In the picture, the one the saw body is setting on, you can see a slit at the bottom from the plunge cut into the side. I've also done a couple where I made a couple more plunges up higher to give it secondary air about 2/3 of the way up the chimney. I did these cuts from the top and offset them on opposing sides so it would make the flame swirl coming up the chimney. Those extra cuts allowed them to start quicker, but it also burns the log faster and cut the duration in 1/2. I find this style a little more tolerant of a strong breeze or windy condition than the noodled pie style. Last night was a little breezy and the pie cut one struggled with getting it lit while the rocket stove one took off fairly well. I'm still experimenting with different cuts and ways to start them. I haven't got to an easy failsafe method of getting them started without a propane torch quite yet. The starters I made aren't very impressive. LOL I'm gonna have to perfect them and then this may be easier...
I was studying your pics and after carefully doing so i now see the slot. I made the traditional X cut in the one i made...the "torch" version in a 8-9" spruce log 14" long. Ill try making the candle version in the future. Did you burn those right away? We were camping and i tried used bacon grease to start mine. Didnt work too well. Wood not dry enough IMO. See my thread We Have Ignition...I hope! for the full story.
All of the ones I've made were out of standing dead EAB killed ash. they were dry as a bone. The ones I burned last night had laid outside on the ground for two nights and may have drawn some dampness in cuz it had rained right before I had dropped that tree and I couldn't get back to them for a couple days, so those may have had more moisture. I have some standing dead Red Pine I want to try to make some of these from too. I have checked out your thread and all the others I could find on the subject. I would like to get this down to an easy quick start. All our friends and family like them when we have picnics and I'm not exactly shy about puttin' on a show... LOL
Just for fun, On the way to market with the wife this morning we passed a couple of saws at the end of a driveway. She said we better turn around because if they’re not there on the return trip I’ll be pizzed. This guy and a Craftsman. I left the FREE sign. Poured some engine Blaster in the spark hole, cranked a few and let it sit for 15. 3rd pull it popped. What you see is burning out the gunk. After that it ran clean, but a little fast. Runs, starts right up, idle and oils. And it cuts pretty good.
OMG, that was the first saw i ever used back in the early 1980's when i was a teen. Used it til my uncle bought me my first "real" saw in 1985 after hurricane Gloria...a Stihl 028 AV when i was 17. Thanks for posting. Fond memories!
Buzz, it’s yours if you want it. I grabbed it because, well, it was a free chainsaw and I get a kick out of bringing them back. Let me know, you’re not too far away.
Bought this 268 in the rough. A little elbow grease and some parts and shes a runner! Before and after...