I am getting _extremely_ tired of Stihl

Hot Dayum,
Maybe we can all be Friends

Well, there are still them Creamcicles from the Dark side, but I can be Tolerant and Inclusive


Doug

 

Back to the original question about the chain brake….this is not a Stihl/Husky/Other make issue. Years ago I learned the hard way not to engage the chain brake on a Husky with it removed or the clutch assembly removed. Learned the hard way but never forgot that lesson either

 

I couldn't have said it any better.

 

Every saw I've ever seen gets oily sawdust packed all up in there eventually, how could it not?

 

And that is why every time the bar and chain comes off I blow them out. A couple times a year I'll use a siphon spray gun and mineral spirits to rinse it out behind the clutch. The whole saw actually. It removes the sticky oil residue nicely.

 

Me too. LOL
Shows the difference between an "innie" and an "outie".

 

Funny story but my first gas saw was actually going to be a husky and I got it home and "field stripped" it on the dinner table and couldn't get it back together due to that aforementioned issue. Boxed it back up and returned it. Which is why I have a Stihl now.

But I think the issue I ran into was different; you simply cannot test the internal linkages on a Stihl without having the clutch drum on. Whereas on a Husky due to the brake components being on the outside (terrible design imo) you can get it into a stuck state where it won't go back together just doing basic daily maintenance. I'm sure it brings saw shops tons of business.

 

I have saws with both in and outboard clutches. I'm mostly indifferent to either with a couple of exceptions. Inboard clutches do collect and hold more debris because of the nooks and crannies behind the clutch. If you stay on top of a reasonable cleaning routine, its a non issue. The big benefit to an inboard is when you need to replace a worn drum or grease the drum bearing. Pop off a clip and replace. The chain is easier to get on and off, especially if comparing to a saw with an outboard clutch thats a bit too close to the saw body. I have saws like that. It's like you need a decoder ring to snake the chain on and off around the clutch without getting hung up on the body. Otherwise, if there is plenty of space, its a non issue.

Outboard clutches are easier for regular cleaning maintenance but much more involved if the drum needs replacement or the bearing needs greased. Most saws cannot be greased through the crankshaft like Husqvarna.

Some say Inboard clutches run hotter. If you aren't slipping and over heating your clutch, its not an issue. Ive seen blue clutches on both designs from operator error.

 

Outboard clutches stink when you pinch the bar and need to unbolt the saw for some reason...

 

Ive read that and completely understand that point. I haven’t had to do that yet. Lol

 

Only brand I've ever ran is Sthil. Old Sthil, pro-sthil, home owner sthil. I use them hard and put them away wet - but I do try to keep up on maintenance. I've never had a problem with any.

I even have a little ms170 which is definitely a throw away saw but it just keeps running and running.....

Maybe you got a lemon?

Not saying Sthil is better than Husky is better than Echo, but they can all have a dud now and again?


My experience with Milwakee M18 tools - they kick butt! They work hard and long, until they don't.

 

When one carries 6 saws on the ATV when out cutting, that's not an issue.

same here, but see above.


A handful of years ago the landowner across and down our street must have been trying to cut down this tiny little tree near the road. I come home one day and see a brand new Stihl bar & chain pinched in this little tree with no powerhead. I went home, grabbed one of my saws and dropped the tree above where he did and then removed his bar & chain from the tree and laid it on the stump. The next day they were gone.

 

Mine as well.
That little saw has trimmed more brush and cut more slab-wood from the mill than I even want to imagine.
It just keeps going.

 

I like those little saws. Of course I "had" to modify mine. Lol

 

I know others that hate them and have read my share of bad reviews.
Yes I know ; It is a homeowners saw and bottom of the barrel as far as their product line, but this little thing just keeps running. It has cut wood that has used every inch of the 16 inch bar on it , it was a little slow, but it got the job done.
It is certainly not my go to saw for firewood, but it still gets plenty of use.

 

When my saws start leaking bar oil, it’s usually time to replace the rubber oil pump hoses. They get hard and don’t seal well. Sometimes you can very carefully dab small amount of a good rtv making sure to not plug the in/out hole, but since I’m in there, usually new hose. If you do rtv, make sure both surfaces are clean and oil free. One type I’ve had very good performance from is called Right Stuff.

 

Right Stuff is good stuff! Just used some this morning!

 

I got mine with the intention of entering the cheap saw build race at saw fest. I put a walbro carb for an ms250 on it. Velocity stack and clamp on filter, muffler mod and ported it. I ended up not going to saw fest so I sold it.

 

That's too much work for me. LOL