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jdemaris
10-30-2004 08:21:58
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Re: O.T. Homelite Chainsaws in reply to Kevin (FL), 10-29-2004 21:01:19
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I'm not a logger per sé, but I used to be a tree cutter/climber for Asplundh, still cut my own firewood, and was a Homelite and Stihl mechanic dating back to the 60s. I've used, and still have many of the old Homelites including the old heavyweights e.g the 4-20, 5-30, Super-Wiz and Buzz. The number series stood for horsepower-weight so a 4-20 is four horsepower and weighs 20 lbs. When I was a foreman for Asplundh during the 70s, all we had were XL 12 Homelites. At the time, the general experience was that the older blue colored XL12s were much better quality than the newer red ones. Either way, when we changed over to using Stihls, there was no comparison. The German saws started well -cold or hot - they idled well - and cutting speed was MUCH faster. As far as the older heavyweights - they were rugged - and crude - and heavy - and slow no matter how sharp - especially the gear-drive models. And parts are hard to find - but like anything - they can be had if you pay enough or look hard enough. I had trouble getting parts for them back in the 70s when we used Homelite's obolete-parts department - which probably no longer exists. I know where there is pile of saws for sale right now - all at $25 apiece - and all the old heavy Homelites. I bought one because it's a two man saw and I want it just to screw around with. If your desire is to cut wood, you'd be WAY ahead to buy yourself a well taken care of 10 or 20 year old saw such as a Stihl 045 or 051 - or even an 041. I come across them quite often in the $150 price range. If taken care of they are almost indestructible. I'm sure many other saws are just as good but I don't have much experience with them. I bought a "Sears Best" saw last week at a yard sale for $50. It's actually a Poulan Professional model, 3 something cubic inches and a 20" bar - and I tell you what. For $50 it's amazing. It will cut circles around any XL12 made. Can't say how long it will last, though. With any saw, if you want durability, it should have ball bearings on both ends of the crankshaft - not needle bearings - and the lining on the cylinder wall is of utmost importance. Many el-cheapo saws have a thin chrome plating over aluminum - or sometimes no plating at all - and it falls apart fast - especially when overheated or run lean. That's what makes the big difference between good and bad modern saws.
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