Old Chainsaws Worth Fixing?

[Bull]

My dad just bought a new Husqvarna, so his vintage Remington is up for grabs. It doesn't run properly, but spent many years neglected, in a damp basement, with old fuel in it, so that's not surprising. It's the same saw as what I found on eBay, here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-SL-11A-Chainsaw-65cc-/220777947821

Are these worth fixing up to use occasionally, or am I better off just not bothering?

 

[GoBlue]

I have a soft spot for lost causes...i would rather fix it up and use it than buy a new one...call me crazy

 

[Skin]

Only issue with old equipment like that is

1. Parts may be discontinued long ago
2. The carburetor is almost assuredly no longer available so if you cant get it to bounce back its good luck finding a replacement or scrap time.

 

[greasemonkey44]

looks cool id rebuild it; ive done a few huskvarnas and a mccullough, way easier than cars

 

[Hiball]

Fix it up.. I'd be willing to bet there are still parts available through one outlet or another. I wouldn't be surprised if the carb isnt oem'd by one of todays current Manufacurers. It's obviously a classy piece, the eBay owner was displaying his on his granite countertops.

 

[mark52621]

First pull the rope to see if you have compression and that it will turn over. Second, if the saw sat with fuel in it, pull carburetor and clean out the varnish.
Third, replace the fuel lines. If that doesn't do it, it is most likely a lost cause.

Finding pistons and carburetors for old saws not named stihl or husky is near imposable.

Just remember that 'homeowner' saws are designed to last 50 hours.

 

[Griff93]

It kinda depends on if you really want to use it or not. I'm up to 6 saws at the moment. I have two homelites, three husqvarna's, and an Efco. Be aware it is another form of tool addiction. I want another larger saw. I've had my eye on a husqvarna 372XP for a while now. I just finish rebuilding my husqvarna 55. I had a carb come loose on me while I was doing storm cleanup after the April tornado outbreak here in Alabama. I cut for 7 days straight and managed to run 5 gallons of premix through it. It melted a piston. I ported and polished it while I had it apart. I also raised the compression ratio and opened up the muffler. It made a noticeable difference but it still doesn't have enough power. http://arboristsite.com/ has a good chainsaw specific forum. The guys on there are very good at helping people find the NOS parts they need to keep their saws running.

 

[ibedayank]

if its a tilton carb Acehardware or and decent small engine shop will have the parts to rebild it just bring the carb with ya


they did for my 1969 skill chainsaw.... yes skill not sthil
cost..$8.00

 

[scott37300]

I did a stihl 045 I got used a couple years ago, almost complete rebuild. Parts are a little harder to find but most are out there. Do a compression test to see if its in spec, if it is go for it. These saws are usually pretty easy to fix, especially if it was your dads and not abused. Most likely just needs a good carb clean or rebuild and back in service.

 

[Davefr]

Sure it's fun to fix them up as long as they're complete and in OK shape. However I don't use these old "boat anchors". (it might be OK as a backup saw if your primary saw get's in a pinch).

They usually have terrible power the weight ratios and they lack vital safety features like chain brakes.

 

[Wakefield]

Does Arboristsite-chainsaw forum provide a link to people/hobbyists who cherish good old chainsaw muscle as restoration and collector items?

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Check it for compression first, then for spark, then dump out the old fuel, put straight gas in it, not premix, and then hit the " air filter " or screen with some starting fluid. That's not much in the way of time or money, it may start.

If it does not start, pull out the spark plug and inspect, if its soaked or caked, run it through a wire wheel and try it again.

If it does start, shut it down pretty quick, and drain out the fresh gas you just put in, and then put pre-mix back in it and run it.

Ive been playing this game for 20+ years on old two strokes. Straight gas acts kinda of like a solvent and seems to make it through the carb, and they seem to start easier and quicker on straight gas, but if you run it on straight gas, of course you will destroy it.

Ill be Ive bought well over 50- 2 stroke saws, and gas powered tools in the last 15 years at auction, most for under $15, and was able to get most running. Most common problem Ive seen on them is the fuel lines drying out and cracking, and leaking or no longer connected at all from shrinkage or drying out. On chain saws you have to take them apart to change the fuel line. I will always buy a chain saw at a sale if its cheap, but I will never buy certain brands, because they are junk new out of the box.

I picked a Homelite XL925 out of the back of a scrappers truck ( It was headed to the recyclers yard, he gave it to me for FREE), and I got it running with no parts, and sold it on Feebay for around $225 IIRC.

Good times !

 

[Sancho]

I just rehabbed a stihl 025, rebuilt the carb, new fuel line/filter and a plug, burned out the muffler and she runs great. Bought it with the previous owner telling me it was "broken" for $35, put about $32 in parts into it and couldnt be happier.

Only thing to check is to grab the pull cord and lift the saw, in my experience if its got good compression it'll only come out a few inches. No compression and it'll be in free fall to the ground where it should stay forever (maybe do this over your scrap pile )