Chainsaw fiasco

[Ross J]

I'm both impressed and peeved over my Stihl 066 chainsaw.<br />Through my own fault the mix ran too lean and she stopped working. OK I thought I'd strip it down and get a couple of quotes for the parts.<br />Off I go to shop #1 (Stihl dealer) who takes a long hard look and says it's not worth anything and isn't worth repairing, he said the piston, rings and head were beyond repair. Quoted me $1,000. However when I asked if it was worth anything to them for parts he was interested. I wasn't impressed so I just walked out of the shop.<br />Shop #2 (Stihl dealer) is an older man who takes a long hard look and says he'll repair her for $350, he says the head is recoverable and I'd need a new piston and rings. Also he said the main bearing had obviously overheated as she'd run too lean. I was impressed so he did the job and came in under budget! This man has just won the right to work on my equipment because of his attitude! It is great to find a professional who gives a quote and stands by his work with a guarantee.<br />I must say, I am very impressed with the Stihl 066, it's the 4th Stihl I've owned and they have all outlasted any other brand. I have no problem with the manufacturer at all, just the first dealers attitude.<br />Ross

 

[Homerr]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

Sometimes you get lucky Ross.<br /><br />Sounds like that first guy just wanted a new saw sale. Unfortunately, you get that more and more now. People would rather replace than rebuild.<br /><br />I love Stihl saws. Best in the business as far as I'm concerned. Some of my family was in the logging business in Oregon, and that's the only brand of saw they would use.<br /><br />I use to have an old 36" 045 super.<br />It would get everyone's attention when I pulled it out of the back of the truck!<br />There was no question I meant business when I fired that monster up.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />H.

 

[Link]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

I'm with Homerr<br />Glad you got to the second shop.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

What do you use an 066 for Ross. That's kind of a large saw for trimmin the fruit trees ain't it?

 

[Ross J]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

She's used for milling - in this case Totora<br />

<br />and felling trees - in this case Rimu<br />

<br />Ross

 

[Homerr]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

Holy Molly!<br /><br />Look at the first picture and where the people's hands are placed on that saw guide... Is there a guard to prevent that blade from kicking back?<br /><br />OWIE!<br /><br />(Sorry.. I work in a machine shop... force of habit.. And I'm curious... I've never used a guide like that)<br /><br /><br />H.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

Homerr - yes it's guarded, the chain is about two inches below the timber cutting through it in the photo. There's a guard over the portion of chain that isn't in the wood though. I can see why you'd get a fright at that but it is safe.<br />Ross

 

[Terry H]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

Lookin' good Ross. That must be your homemade sawmill. I have a storebought "Alaska" brand chainsaw guide and have put it thru the paces over the years. I bought an 045 Stihl to use with it, but it is small and works very hard. I prolly only use the sawmill once a year anymore.<br />Your ladder makes a very good guide for the sawmill, I may try that sometime...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

Hi Ross, just couldn't help from noticing the bare leg in the first pic. Over coat, bare legs? I've seen guys in the park with that get up and they weren't sawing logs! Jus joking!!!<br /><br />Nice rig you have there, if I every get other projects done, I just may have to build me one also. Not to sound ignorant, but what kind of wood is that your milling? Looks like a very pretty grain..

 

[Terry H]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

One more thing Ross, what chain you using. I started using what you call a "skip-tooth" about 20yrs ago for ripping and it cuts about 2wice as fast...just a thought

 

[Ross J]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

My crosscut chain is a "Chisel tooth" type and I discovered I can simply re-sharpen one of those to 10 degrees as against 30 degrees and use it for ripping. It works very well and I didn't have to purchase a dedicated ripping chain. I must admit I have x3 chains so I just sharpened one up to 10 degrees and use that. I wouldn't have a lot of call to use the 066 for milling but it's sure good to be able to use it when I want. Most of the timber I get offered is deep in the bush and isn't about to be trucked to a mill.<br />The best bet for Totara is to look here - http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/grantglazer/Kayak/MaterialsWood.htm <br />It has a most wonderful grain and is virtually impervious to rot. I've milled trees that have been down for nearly 100 years with no rot or other destructive signs at all.<br />Ross

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

Hi Ross<br /><br />I've had a Stihl line trimmer for a number of years now and always been impressed with the quality of the motor. I guess I now know what will happen if I run the mix too lean...so will be careful, thanks for that.<br /><br />How did you get ownership of those Totara & Rimu trees? I thought they would have been protected (but could be wrong) ? What are you going to use it for ?

 

[Ross J]

Re: Chainsaw fiasco

They are protected over here. The Totara was "Dead and down" so it can be used by the landowner without any red tape. The Rimu was permitted by the authorities as a landowner is allowed a percentage of useage from the native species. It's carefully controlled and records kept.<br />Ross