Stihl chainsaw quit, need some suggestions.

[RandyT]

One thing I found over the years is guys who think they know how to sharpen a saw...........they're far and few..........believe me! Stay away from those sharpening machines.........they just grind away your $$$$$$$$$$ each and everytime you use one!

Then the guy running the machine has no idea what he is doing. You don't have to take off more than what you would do with a file. The problem I am seeing now is the cheap electric sharpeners available everywhere. I have to straighten out more chains due to those things, due to the guy not setting the machine correctly.

 

[John_Mc]

I hand sharpen my saws with a file and guide. I like the results I get, and don't need it done enough to justify the price of a GOOD chain grinder.

However, I've got nothing against grinders to sharpen chains. A grinder is a tool. Like most tools, if you get one of good quality, and put it in the hands of someone who knows what he/she is doing, you'll get good results.

There's a reason the cheaper grinders are so cheap. They don't have the range of adjustment to do a good job, or if they do, they are too flimsy to hold the setting needed. An operator who doesn't know what they are doing with a chain grinder can ruin a chain in a hurry, regardless of whether it's a good grinder or not.

 

[tmajor]

Like others, I haven't followed the entire thread.

My Stihl 032 was running, I set it down and it quit. Couldn't get it started again. I felt that it was the carb and/or gas, but a carb kit and new gas lines didn't help. I took it to my neighbor, who works on them and has been to school on them. It would start, but not run. He felt it was the ignition, after trying everything else.

I bought one of the electronic ignition modules offered on eBay, installed it and now the saw runs like new! :thumbsup:
Maybe, I should add .. it originally had points and condenser. The electronic module is easily added without removing the flywheel.