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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Posts: 20,979
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Likely a minority here, but I've been using a Poulan Pro (about $150) during and since Sandy. If I had to cut down 12"+ trees for a living I'd opt for something better, but it was used to clear 40ish down trees from sandy, and quite a bit of cleanup since. Also agree with Rod, if you're doing cleanup, electric is certainly handy. Sometimes I'll grab the battery powered sawzall with an aggressive blade for limbing, if it's more convenient.
I've also been lazy about sharpening. Used to do it, but when you can buy a 2 pack for $25, I figure my time is worth more.
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The truth is that while those on the left - particularly the far left - claim to be tolerant and welcoming of diversity, in reality many are quite intolerant of anyone not embracing their radical views. - Charlie Kirk |
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,597
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I have a couple Stihl chainsaws that have had nothing but avgas since new.
No alcohol, stays stable pretty much indefinitely. Sometimes run them dry, often just shut them off when done cutting, they never fail to start quickly. |
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
Posts: 9,042
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I sharpen chains with a Dremel and various sized stones. Don't think I've ever used a file.
. https://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-Diamond-Chainsaw-Sharpener/dp/B000P8VTNY
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 31,489
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I have: Can you recommend a brand?
Quote:
I also have the kits that set the angle every stroke depending on the chain. I can sharpen a 20" chain in ten minutes, including set-up and take down.
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1996 FJ80. |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 30,476
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I used to sharpen my chains....when I was clueless....now I just keep my chains razor sharp
![]() I picked up a mid-range Oregon chain grinder from Northern Tool a few months back....wish I'd done it decades ago ![]() Last edited by KFC911; 07-12-2018 at 10:01 AM.. |
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there was this old guy near my home that would charge me $5 to sharpen my chains. i would bring him three at a time.
man, he got them VERY sharp. he retired, and i moved. but like i said, i dont even have trees anymore. ![]()
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poof! gone |
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
Posts: 9,042
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Quote:
Oh, and another thing, reverse the bar at some time. Flip the bar over if the cuts are migrating to one side or the other.
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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I have alot of 2 stokes and repair neighbors stuff all the time. I dont get much if any gummed up ones. I think the oil in the gas helps immensely in preserving it. Usually its the fuel lines that get hard and break or the diaphram gets hard. Sometimes the carbs get clogged but there is evidence of dirt not the usual gunk you get in 4 stroke bowls. Plus they have plastic tanks that dont breath as much so you dont get as much condensation. I run 87 mixed around 20 :1 in all my stuff but nothing sits for very long. When it does I find the gas evaporates off and i end up with half oil and a smoke show. I know some people put some atf in their 4 strokes to help out and Im sure it doesnt hurt. Iv never been a fan of stabil or other preservatives. It seems engines that have had it always run like **** and you need to clean out the fuel system anyway. Atleast when they have sat a few years. I sharpen my chains with a dremel while on the saw it goes quick. Usually every tank. I have a tecomec easy grinder i never use if anyone wants to buy it.
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82 SC , 72 914 Last edited by porsche930dude; 07-12-2018 at 03:08 PM.. |
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The gas is never an issue for me, but if I don’t empty the bar oil, that crap gets everywhere!
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,749
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Quote:
Here's list of discontinued and a few active stations but it's not real current by the dates: Unleaded Race/Racing Fuel at the Pump in California White gas was banned in CA 6 years ago but it would work in most low compression engines (2 cycle being one). When I first started racing karts in 1959 I would use white gas and synthetic oil. After a race weekend I could open up the motor and wipe the top of the piston with a handkerchief and barely soil it. |
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I don’t grind my own chains anymore, but I used to. I cut chains for a guy who was a competitive log cutter. I cut the drags down depending on the kind of wood they were using. You could cut them down to nothing on soft pine, but get them too low if they were using hard wood and a good saw motor would pull the chain apart. Our motor guy was amazing. We had a lot of fun learning to strike the right balance between motor speed, torque, and chain aggressiveness. It was different for every log.
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: bottom left corner of the world
Posts: 22,741
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Two light strokes with the correct file on each tooth, each time I fuel up. You don't need to get stuck into them with a grinder. You're only trying to take microns off.
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 30,476
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Quote:
![]() If you're like me...an equal number of light strokes on both sides....well, they get dfferent. I'd never let someone else grind my chains.... |
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Counterclockwise?
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Do you clean the oil off the chain before sharpening it?
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Rod 1986 Carrera 2001 996TT A bunch of stuff with spark plugs |
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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![]() I'm not sure about access (as mentioned above). I was always airside when using them but if you know someone with an aircraft they can probably get a few cans filled for you.
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
Posts: 9,042
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I don't.
. Agree...a light touch with a Dremel tool and the correct size stone. . Stones: https://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-Diamond-Chainsaw-Sharpener/dp/B000P8VTNY . Keep an eye on the rakers as they'll begin to sit too high. I just touch them slightly with the Dremel stone to knock them down a bit...every couple of sharpenings. I rarely use a gauge for that. You get a feel after a while.
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 30,476
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Thanks for making me LOL
![]() Just put a mo-better bar/chain on my 13' Stihl pole saw...it'll be mo-beastlier now ![]() Poolan Ed, Poolan....used to love those commercials...or was it Polan? I dunno... |
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 9,733
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I pull up a stool to my workbench, and turn on a directional light. I use my $30 HF electric chain sharpener at a 25 degree angle, and inspect each link for shiney/sharpness/uniformity before going to the next link. I have 5 chains that I rotate on my 20" Stihl MS310 for all my home heating needs. It takes some time 10-15 minutes per chain, but tired of dropping off chains one day, and picking up the next day for $5-$6 each. These sharpenings were also way too aggressive, which was wearing out chains prematurely, and causing me to buy more $30 chains from the same guy....so I cut out the middle man.
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I use a file and do the equal number of strokes each way too. I use it camping and sharpen it every time I go before I start cutting:
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