Noodling Problems

I cut mostly oak. If I run into gnarly pieces, instead of splitting them, I'll noodle them. But too often some of the noodles jam up my Stihl MS251. Anybody have a fix for this? The noodles sometimes jam the groove in the bar, which stops the chain, and I have to disassemble chain and bar, and clean out the groove. Other times the noodles jam up the cover at the base of the chain. I generally solve that by pulling the bar clean of the wood and revving up the engine--that generally clears the cover, but not always. Comments? Questions?

 

Try to keep the saw powerhead back as far as possible and try to use the end of the bar more , this way the noodles have a place to go. If you cut with the powerhead against the wood, they have no place to go except into the clutch cover.

 

Keeping the saw bar completely parallel with the block of wood will create the longest strings of noodles so try a bit of angle. Lifting the saw power head an inch or two while cutting can make a difference and get those noodles to clear.

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This really helps, you don't have to be at a 45 degree angle but a slight tilt makes a world of difference by shortening up the noodles.

 

Agree on this advice. Don't noodle at a 90 degree angle. The shorter ribbons will not clog so quickly.

 

Thanks guys!

 

I second this suggestion. Typed out similar before realizing it was already said. You need a 'noodling cover'.

 

Get a ripping chain too

 

I've got a buddy who has a Stihl dealership, and must have 100+ junk Stihls in his shed. I'm betting I can find a clutch cover that fits.

 

Great advice here. With the right technique and clutch cover it shouldn't be a problem. My muffler modded but otherwise stock Echo CS 400 (only 40cc) with 18" bar can noodle no problem. You've got 5 more cc's to work with.

 

Sorry I blanked out after "buddy has a Stihl dealership".

 

I want to look in that shed!

 

I would ask for the buddy price on a 462 and solve the noodle problem once and for all. Than get the buddy priced 261,400,500,661.

 

Me likes how you thinks.

 

But it is a Stihl and I've heard online they aren't good saws.

 

I'll post some pictures soon.

 

Do you have a higher CC saw? Try that for noodling. Running the saw at full throttle helps IME.

Jams are a common problem when noodling.

 

Here is one of the Stihl junk yards.



Some Husq's here too.

 

Green Pewlans