Chain Saw Question

kevinj · Jun 6, 2006

( 180 MS C )

This is a small 14" saw just like mine. If you have everything clean and properly assembled the chain will stay put unless the tooless cover is defective. I forgot to mention earlier that you must be careful to engage the gear from the black thumbwheel into the large gear on the bar. If you do not the bar will rock and adjustment is not positive. Also this .043 mini chain has an initial stretch that Stihl mentions in the book. This is a light duty saw and is very well designed for the price. For more serious cutting I use the 260 pro model.

kevinj · Jun 6, 2006

( 180 MS C )

This is a small 14" saw just like mine. If you have everything clean and properly assembled the chain will stay put unless the tooless cover is defective. I forgot to mention earlier that you must be careful to engage the gear from the black thumbwheel into the large gear on the bar. If you do not the bar will rock and adjustment is not positive. Also this .043 mini chain has an initial stretch that Stihl mentions in the book. This is a light duty saw and is very well designed for the price. For more serious cutting I use the 260 pro model.

kevinj · Jun 6, 2006

( For what its worth, each time I get done using the chain saw, I let it cool down for a bit, take the face plate off, take the bar off, clean everything out, flip the bar around (tells you to in the manual), put the chain back on, and then make sure tension is correct and everything is secure )

I see no reason to flip the bar every use. I run one side till the chain is shot, replace the chain and flip the bar. It is more important to keep the chain sharp.

kevinj · Jun 6, 2006

( For what its worth, each time I get done using the chain saw, I let it cool down for a bit, take the face plate off, take the bar off, clean everything out, flip the bar around (tells you to in the manual), put the chain back on, and then make sure tension is correct and everything is secure )

I see no reason to flip the bar every use. I run one side till the chain is shot, replace the chain and flip the bar. It is more important to keep the chain sharp.

RayH · Jun 6, 2006

Is it possible you just arent used to the power of the Stihl verses the Poulan. Ive got two Poulans and I like both of them because they always start for me. I can let them sit throughout the winter and with old fuel in them, two or three pulls and they are running. BUT, they are under powered. If the chain binds just a little, they will stall. Maybe the Stihl isnt stalling as soon as the chain binds its pulling the chain off the bar before you react.

RayH · Jun 6, 2006

Is it possible you just arent used to the power of the Stihl verses the Poulan. Ive got two Poulans and I like both of them because they always start for me. I can let them sit throughout the winter and with old fuel in them, two or three pulls and they are running. BUT, they are under powered. If the chain binds just a little, they will stall. Maybe the Stihl isnt stalling as soon as the chain binds its pulling the chain off the bar before you react.

proudestmonkey · Jun 6, 2006

I do like the saw alot, and it fits my needs fine. I don't want a heavier saw for what I do. I have checked to make sure the black screw meshes with the larger wingnut thing. It may be that this chain saw is particularly sensitive to even the slightest looseness, way more than my old saw.

proudestmonkey · Jun 6, 2006

I do like the saw alot, and it fits my needs fine. I don't want a heavier saw for what I do. I have checked to make sure the black screw meshes with the larger wingnut thing. It may be that this chain saw is particularly sensitive to even the slightest looseness, way more than my old saw.

kevinj · Jun 6, 2006

( It may be that this chain saw is particularly sensitive to even the slightest looseness, way more than my old saw. I have checked to make sure the black screw meshes with the larger wingnut thing.
)

You are dealing with a special Stihl light weight chain. Once properly broke in and tensioned it will last a long time.

If you have the gears meshed and the bar still rocks you have a problem, time for a trip to the dealer. This may be a dumb question, but do you have the tension device properly mounted to the bar???

kevinj · Jun 6, 2006

( It may be that this chain saw is particularly sensitive to even the slightest looseness, way more than my old saw. I have checked to make sure the black screw meshes with the larger wingnut thing.
)

You are dealing with a special Stihl light weight chain. Once properly broke in and tensioned it will last a long time.

If you have the gears meshed and the bar still rocks you have a problem, time for a trip to the dealer. This may be a dumb question, but do you have the tension device properly mounted to the bar???