MotorSeven
Elite Member
Wow Obed, I'm impressed:thumbsup: That saw will last a lifetime if properly taken care of. Here are a few tips I have learned (some have already been mentioned):
-Find a station that sells non Ethanol gasoline for your saw and any other small engine you have. You may have to hunt around & make some calls but it's still available here in TN(our COOP carries it). Ethanol is the worst thing on the planet for small engine carbs...cloggs them up. Stihl mix oil does have a fuel stabilizer in it, but if you have to run Ethanol fuel get some Marine Stabil(Wallyworld carrys it), the green stuff not the regular red Stabil & add some to your saw mix. Marine Stabil kills ethanol in gasoline.
-Use a dedicated fuel can for your mixed fuel and mark it prominently with something like "CHAINSAW MIX FUEL" in bold Sharpie pen. Never ever put fuel in that container without adding the 2-stroke mix. Many dead saws out there from straight gas...kills 'em quick.
-regular Stihl mix oil is pretty good. But next time you need some buy the white bottle full synthetic Sthil mix....it protects your engine better.
-Never let the bar touch the dirt.......when it does and it will, stop and take a few swipes on each cutter with the file. A dull chain has many undesirable characteristics besides cutting "slow". It generates heat, wearing out a host of saw components- bar, sprocket, clutch, & can damage housings besides it causes the chain to stretch out and hang which leads to it popping off the bar.
-learn how to file a chain and rakers. Plenty of info on the net, but I like filing against the cutters(file into the cutting edge). Now my Dad taught me to file away and I did it that way for years. When I got into chainsaw milling I watched a video that taught this "new" method. Filing against the cutter smooths the hard chrome coating(which is what does most of the cutting work) of the cutter against the softer steel under that coating. Filing away pushes the coating out off the edge of the cutter leaving kind of a ragged edge. As soon as you start sawing that ragged edge breaks off leaving a divit on the cutting edge...divit=dull. Both methods start out with the same level of sharpness, but filing against the cutters makes the chain stay sharper longer. Try it both ways and see if you don't notice a difference.
-get in the habit of swiping that file on those cutters every time you fuel up...just one or two swipes is all you need to keep a chain razor sharp all day long.
-not this week, but if we EVER get a winter here, mix a little automatic transmission fluid in with your bar oil. Sub freezing temps really hamper summer blends of bar oil and the ATF will make it function better in cold weather.
-a chain grinder is a great tool. I have not tried the newer HF one, the old one was not so great. I bought the Northern Tool one when it was on sale for $89 and think it's a great value:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200327449_200327449?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Chain%20Saw%20Sharpeners%2C%20Maintenance%20%2B%20Repair-_-193020&ci_sku=193020&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=COfaip695LQCFQmCQgodFG8AZg
-if you don't have any get some chainsaw chaps and wear them(I do). Just like in firearms, get in the habit of keeping your finger out of the trigger guard when taking any steps. The reason is that if you trip and fall(easy to do with logs & limbs all around you) the sympathetic reaction of your central nervous system will cause an involuntary reaction of grabbing said trigger. Now not only are you falling, but your saw is winding up to full throttle...not good. This happens all the time and with no chaps on you have no chance of not sawing into a perfectly good leg or calf. Also when I saw in the woods I wear steel toed boots, a helmet and ear plugs.
-and last...NEVER EVER LEND YOUR SAW TO ANYONE. I don't care if it's the priest from your church, your best friend, or even your dear old mother. This one is easy, "Sorry I can't let you borrow my saw, but I'll be glad to come cut that tree up for you, and btw I drink- { }"[insert favorite beverage here]:laughing:
Have fun man your gonna get Perma-Grin every time you use that thing!
-Find a station that sells non Ethanol gasoline for your saw and any other small engine you have. You may have to hunt around & make some calls but it's still available here in TN(our COOP carries it). Ethanol is the worst thing on the planet for small engine carbs...cloggs them up. Stihl mix oil does have a fuel stabilizer in it, but if you have to run Ethanol fuel get some Marine Stabil(Wallyworld carrys it), the green stuff not the regular red Stabil & add some to your saw mix. Marine Stabil kills ethanol in gasoline.
-Use a dedicated fuel can for your mixed fuel and mark it prominently with something like "CHAINSAW MIX FUEL" in bold Sharpie pen. Never ever put fuel in that container without adding the 2-stroke mix. Many dead saws out there from straight gas...kills 'em quick.
-regular Stihl mix oil is pretty good. But next time you need some buy the white bottle full synthetic Sthil mix....it protects your engine better.
-Never let the bar touch the dirt.......when it does and it will, stop and take a few swipes on each cutter with the file. A dull chain has many undesirable characteristics besides cutting "slow". It generates heat, wearing out a host of saw components- bar, sprocket, clutch, & can damage housings besides it causes the chain to stretch out and hang which leads to it popping off the bar.
-learn how to file a chain and rakers. Plenty of info on the net, but I like filing against the cutters(file into the cutting edge). Now my Dad taught me to file away and I did it that way for years. When I got into chainsaw milling I watched a video that taught this "new" method. Filing against the cutter smooths the hard chrome coating(which is what does most of the cutting work) of the cutter against the softer steel under that coating. Filing away pushes the coating out off the edge of the cutter leaving kind of a ragged edge. As soon as you start sawing that ragged edge breaks off leaving a divit on the cutting edge...divit=dull. Both methods start out with the same level of sharpness, but filing against the cutters makes the chain stay sharper longer. Try it both ways and see if you don't notice a difference.
-get in the habit of swiping that file on those cutters every time you fuel up...just one or two swipes is all you need to keep a chain razor sharp all day long.
-not this week, but if we EVER get a winter here, mix a little automatic transmission fluid in with your bar oil. Sub freezing temps really hamper summer blends of bar oil and the ATF will make it function better in cold weather.
-a chain grinder is a great tool. I have not tried the newer HF one, the old one was not so great. I bought the Northern Tool one when it was on sale for $89 and think it's a great value:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200327449_200327449?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Chain%20Saw%20Sharpeners%2C%20Maintenance%20%2B%20Repair-_-193020&ci_sku=193020&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=COfaip695LQCFQmCQgodFG8AZg
-if you don't have any get some chainsaw chaps and wear them(I do). Just like in firearms, get in the habit of keeping your finger out of the trigger guard when taking any steps. The reason is that if you trip and fall(easy to do with logs & limbs all around you) the sympathetic reaction of your central nervous system will cause an involuntary reaction of grabbing said trigger. Now not only are you falling, but your saw is winding up to full throttle...not good. This happens all the time and with no chaps on you have no chance of not sawing into a perfectly good leg or calf. Also when I saw in the woods I wear steel toed boots, a helmet and ear plugs.
-and last...NEVER EVER LEND YOUR SAW TO ANYONE. I don't care if it's the priest from your church, your best friend, or even your dear old mother. This one is easy, "Sorry I can't let you borrow my saw, but I'll be glad to come cut that tree up for you, and btw I drink- { }"[insert favorite beverage here]:laughing:
Have fun man your gonna get Perma-Grin every time you use that thing!