Back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, my Dad set up a pot-belly stove in the carport that he would have burning during the winter months. My dad spent the whole week stuck in an office running his construction company, so on weekends, he liked to spend time outdoors. I loved winter during these years for a variety of reasons, most of which centred around that wood burning stove.
Obviously, a pot-belly stove needed wood, which meant regular firewood collection. Most people would see this as a chore, but to a 15-year-old, it was something I anticipated. Sometimes, we would go with a neighbour and split the load, Dad provided the truck, the neighbour the chainsaw (the 028 AV Super that I now own). Sometimes, it was just me and Dad. This was special because it meant spending time with my Dad, who as a business owner worked long hours. And once Dad finally bought a chainsaw, it also meant getting to use a chainsaw! I also got to drive a car well before getting my learner's permit. For some reason, I have recurring dreams of collecting firewood with Dad.
I remember the day Dad and I went to the local Stihl dealer with intent on buying a chainsaw. We didn’t need something to fell trees, just something cut firewood. With that in mind and the fact Dad doesn't like spending money, I had the 017, 018 and 021 in my sights. To me, a Stihl chainsaw looks a certain way, the predominantly white with orange accents is so recognisable, as such this is the picture I had in my mind. Well, that didn’t go to plan…………………….
When the salesman was told what we needed, instead of showing us the MS170, he began selling Dad on the 009L. The 40.8cc engine was larger than the 30.1cc 017, 31.8cc 018 and 35.2cc 021. The 009L also had two instead of one piston ring, and could be used single handed (I didn't see the appeal in that). It was also cheaper than the 021, and offered better value than the 017 and 018. All of that convinced Dad to buy the 009L. I was crushed……………………it just didn’t look like a normal Stihl. (Keep in mind here, I was something like 15-years old here.)
The thing is, despite goofy look, the 009L punches well above its size and weight would have you believe. The 40.8cc engine size in such a small footprint meant that it was light and easy to handle, but packed more than enough grunt. It looked like a toy, but performed like a serious tool. They also sound different, a byproduct of their low revving/high torque engines, to the point where they don't have the same top end ZING of modern saws.
There are only two main drawbacks to the 009L -
- The lack of anti-vibration, which is a byproduct of a saw that first went on sale in 1980.
- The air filter is very small and tends to clog up quite quickly.
Even though I didn’t buy the saw, I looked after it like it was mine. After each use, I would clean the air filter, wiped it down and put it away in a plywood case that we built to transport it. The case was large enough to fully enclose the saw, chains, scrench, bar oil, fuel tin, and rags. This explains why the saw looks so good despite it doing plenty of work and being 23 years old.
As it stands, this is the very first chainsaw I got to use. It’s strange, I have always been frightened of using something like an angle grinder…………………………but I have no problems using a chainsaw. Go figure.
In recent times, I decided to get this saw out, clean it up a bit and replace a few service items. I have had this saw apart many times before, so it took no time cleaning out all the old saw dust and oil. The air filter was in good condition, so I just blew it out with compressed air, the muffler spark arrestor was removed and cleaned with a wire brush.
The 14-inch bar on the saw is not the original but in great condition, so it was simply cleaned. The chain was replaced as the one on it was too far gone. The original Bosch R10 spark plug was replaced by a NGK BPMR7A.
After the new plug was installed, the saw coughed from the first pull on the choke and then fired on the second without it. I then drained the fuel tank and run the engine dry to help with storage.
Obviously, a pot-belly stove needed wood, which meant regular firewood collection. Most people would see this as a chore, but to a 15-year-old, it was something I anticipated. Sometimes, we would go with a neighbour and split the load, Dad provided the truck, the neighbour the chainsaw (the 028 AV Super that I now own). Sometimes, it was just me and Dad. This was special because it meant spending time with my Dad, who as a business owner worked long hours. And once Dad finally bought a chainsaw, it also meant getting to use a chainsaw! I also got to drive a car well before getting my learner's permit. For some reason, I have recurring dreams of collecting firewood with Dad.
I remember the day Dad and I went to the local Stihl dealer with intent on buying a chainsaw. We didn’t need something to fell trees, just something cut firewood. With that in mind and the fact Dad doesn't like spending money, I had the 017, 018 and 021 in my sights. To me, a Stihl chainsaw looks a certain way, the predominantly white with orange accents is so recognisable, as such this is the picture I had in my mind. Well, that didn’t go to plan…………………….
When the salesman was told what we needed, instead of showing us the MS170, he began selling Dad on the 009L. The 40.8cc engine was larger than the 30.1cc 017, 31.8cc 018 and 35.2cc 021. The 009L also had two instead of one piston ring, and could be used single handed (I didn't see the appeal in that). It was also cheaper than the 021, and offered better value than the 017 and 018. All of that convinced Dad to buy the 009L. I was crushed……………………it just didn’t look like a normal Stihl. (Keep in mind here, I was something like 15-years old here.)
The thing is, despite goofy look, the 009L punches well above its size and weight would have you believe. The 40.8cc engine size in such a small footprint meant that it was light and easy to handle, but packed more than enough grunt. It looked like a toy, but performed like a serious tool. They also sound different, a byproduct of their low revving/high torque engines, to the point where they don't have the same top end ZING of modern saws.
There are only two main drawbacks to the 009L -
- The lack of anti-vibration, which is a byproduct of a saw that first went on sale in 1980.
- The air filter is very small and tends to clog up quite quickly.
Even though I didn’t buy the saw, I looked after it like it was mine. After each use, I would clean the air filter, wiped it down and put it away in a plywood case that we built to transport it. The case was large enough to fully enclose the saw, chains, scrench, bar oil, fuel tin, and rags. This explains why the saw looks so good despite it doing plenty of work and being 23 years old.
As it stands, this is the very first chainsaw I got to use. It’s strange, I have always been frightened of using something like an angle grinder…………………………but I have no problems using a chainsaw. Go figure.
In recent times, I decided to get this saw out, clean it up a bit and replace a few service items. I have had this saw apart many times before, so it took no time cleaning out all the old saw dust and oil. The air filter was in good condition, so I just blew it out with compressed air, the muffler spark arrestor was removed and cleaned with a wire brush.
The 14-inch bar on the saw is not the original but in great condition, so it was simply cleaned. The chain was replaced as the one on it was too far gone. The original Bosch R10 spark plug was replaced by a NGK BPMR7A.
After the new plug was installed, the saw coughed from the first pull on the choke and then fired on the second without it. I then drained the fuel tank and run the engine dry to help with storage.
