Chainsaw Pics...

Blew through some today.

 

Nice. It's great to see older saws still run.

 

I fancy rebuilding/running the old ones. Partial to the 70's.

 

They certainly do look cool and sound great. What is it you like about running them Cory? Can't be the anti-vibe or cut speed. Lol. I have my Pap's old '59 Pioneer 610. It's a heavy old beast I'd never consider dragging out in the woods. Fun to run at gtg's but that's about it for me.

 

Nice. We used to have the Homelite Super Wiz 55 or 66, I think. It was the red one. Heavy, but plenty of torque.

 

Those older saws are like tractors. Man they have the torque. I have a couple.

 

When I started into this hobby, I couldn't afford a new power saw at the prices they wanted for pro models. Being a firewood hound, I wanted to get away from using the 100cc Echo my dad had passed along to me. But, the memories of spending hours in the bush watching/listening to my dad run that big saw in the mid 70's impressed me as a kid. It stuck with me. I got on to "rescuing" vintage saws. Many previous owners had stories of the saws, when/where they were used. Memories. I could relate to. As such, they often pass them along knowing I'll do my best to make them run again. I've never sold a vintage saw I've fixed. In the end, if they want, I send them a video or pics. There is something alluring about the golden age of muscle saws. Simple, reliable and easy to work on. I enjoy the experience of running them in an era when most around my area want the latest (sometimes not) the greatest. I am a bit of an oddity.

When I am cutting on my own, I only manage about 1/2 cord max in my truck, so speed or comfort never really becomes an issue. The torque/sound over speed. The older I get, the more time I would rather spend in the cut and out in the bush. I do use an assortment of relatively modern saws when I know weight, speed, volume etc., are an issue. Even at that, they are all rescued saws. Built on the thrift. A time and place for both eras I guess.

It is interesting to see how some companies from the 70's had regional significance out in BC. Some brands are hard to find. Others are well represented. Lots of Homelite, Pioneer and some McCulloch. Limited Echo. Less Jonsereds and Partner. Never seen a bigger Poulan (unfortunately). Would like a nice 5200 one day. Always has been the vintage Husky and Stihl dominance here. But, I leave most of those to others.

 

I get this 110% and I'm in agreeance!
What I personally have is the "addiction" to a modified/ported somewhat modern saw. 26 years running printing presses left me with mild hand arthritis and a little carpal tunnel, so I really need the smoothness. Great reply, thanks for sharing. I really enjoy the pics you post. These old saws are definitely some good lookers.

 

You’re talking me into it!
Literally grabbed this from the bottom of a scrap pile that I drop my metal at. Except for the paint flaking off, it seems in really good shape. It’s a Sears made by David Bradly, I think, at 95cc’s.
Would love to see it run!

 

Been using the 261 solo the last couple loads. All pignut hickory this session

 

buZZsaw BRAD ,

I do believe that many a 029 / 290 / 291 has found itself "retired" due to the acquisition of the 026 / 260 / 261 family of saws. Glad you are liking the new girl!

That pignut hickory is most of the hickory we have in my neck of the woods as well.

 

Nice load of deep winter heat there.

 

im

Im eventually having my 290 ported and piston job so it will be a powerful as a stock 361/362 from what ive been told. Nothing against the 290. Had it since 2010 and given me good service with just a 16" bar too! My 290 replaced an old 026 too.

 

Completely understand the addiction to 60's and 70's saws I have many homelite favorites Super 1050's and a 750 which had a fall and i am looking for parts also have 2 XL-925s and another favorite a 2100s JB

 

My latest acquisition arrived today from Langley,B.C. Canada - Homie XL-1,not often seen in the States,this earlier blue/white version of the popular 2.5 cube/41cc Super EZ Automatic of the early-mid 70's.Pretty much no difference except the SEZAO is the more familiar red/white/black color scheme.

Came with very good 16" hardnose bar,Stihl chain that has a little life in it.Needs some tinkering but runs pretty good,I'll replace that starter rope handle & that 1 missing bolt on starter housing before long.If this is anything like mine & most SEZAO's that are in good tune this snappy little beast pulls far above its weight class,great balance,very reliable & is much welcome when working smaller timber.

 

Nice saw I use my EZ around my mill all the time JB

 

Good to see other Homelite lovers here!

Thistle, that blue XL-1 is a nice piece! I'm a big fan of the Super EZ class, badass little saws. Would love to get my hands on a blue one.

JB, That picture looks like the thing at the carnival where you have to be taller to go on the ride! Where in PA you from?

 

Nice pick up. I am curious if that is one of the earliest models. I have one that had the smaller 1 1/2" bore cylinder with the L-shaped single ring. Manual oiler only. I threw a super mini top end on it to push it out to the 1 9/16". I also drilled out and modified the manual only system to accept the auto oiler off of the super mini. The screw bosses were cast into the case. I assume the ez auto and xl mini auto drive case must have been the same as the Terry industries early xl-1 blue manual only edition. In the end, it became the super mini auto setup in the early blue colour scheme. None of the later xl-1's (red) came with the decomp and manual oiler. They were auto oil only.

Your muffler cover and grip start looks like one of the early versions, but there can be lots of parts interplay with the 1 7/16" (two ring) 1 1/2" (single L ring) and the later 1 9/16" if one had got around to swapping.

Nice to see a "local" saw from the lower mainland of BC to make it's way to you. I'll keep my eyes peeled for decent xl-76/130's for those that may be interested. I've more than my fair share and tend to pass them over when they pop up these days.

 

Found some finished pics of the early, manual oiler, smaller piston/cylinder xl-1. Converted to a super mini. The case accepted the larger pilot of the super mini cylinder. I swapped out the connecting rod, and blocked off the manual oiler to the bar pad, re-routing it to the auto pump and back out to the pad. Fun project from a few years ago.