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A few years back I decided to improve my bar groove cleaning tool. At that time I was using a small screw driver and I thought there had to be a better way. My solution was to use a 5" length of right angle steel scrap after I found one that was 0.050" thick. I simply shaped the two ends in a...

A friend said his Stihl MS 290 is leaking bar oil while running and most if it appeared to be coming through this threaded hole in the case: The IPL parts diagram shows nothing but I have seen this hole on others, including the MS 310. I elected to drive a short M5 machine screw into the hole...

One of my logger buddies gave me this 30" bar last year and asked if I could somehow bring it back to life: I asked him, "Andy, how on earth did you do this?" He said, "I dunno. ___ happens." (1) Any ideas how it happened? What caused it? (2) Can it be fixed? If so, how do I do it?

A couple of days ago I decided to make sure that I had three easy-to-start saws in the field prior to the trip to the work site. I decided to start my 036 that I had run OK last fall several times. It refused to start and I figured I might have flooded it. So, I removed the shroud and pulled...

I ran into this the other day while rebuilding the top end of a rather vintage Husky 51 that cosmetically was in good shape. It had virtually no comprsesion, the ring was fused to the piston, and streaks were everywhere on the exhaust side. So, I ordered a new top end P/C kit and was installing...

I figure that this thread title would catch your eye. Who ever heard of a gravity spring for a chain sharpener? Seems like every three to five years the return spring on my Oregon 511A snaps suddenly with a loud pop and the wheel sometimes crashes down on the chain being sharpened. This just...

I think bark gets a bad rap. Several species shed their bark as they dry and do it in less than a year, especially when being split. These include elm, maple, walnut, locust, and several others. For years I used to throw the bark away or bonfire it. Then it dawned on me that it could be used for...

I ran into a dandy this time. My friend's Stihl FS 46 engine will not start. In fact, it won't even pop, either on choke or otherwise. (1) Tried a new carb. Still no pop. (2) Checked for a spark. It's there. (3) Plug is new, but I tried another anyway. Still no pop. (4) Checked fuel lines and...

Too hot and humid to cut outside today, so I decided to make and finish another bunch of bucking wedges. These wear out about every three years, so a new batch was in order. I found a nice chunk of rough-cut 2" white oak about a foot long and 6" wide and ripped the edges on the table saw. About...

OK, I seldom run into this with a new Stihl chainsaw, but I have a real problem with an MS251C. It has the new pull cord start assist mechanism that drives me a bit crazy. Regardless, this saw refuses to start using the typical procedure discussed in the Operator's Manual. I doubt the saw has 5...

Years ago there was an army colonel who was commissioned to award a master sergeant at Fort Collins who had fired a cannon every day for 25 years at exactly noon, never missing a shot. In fact, he was never off by more than ten seconds, either early or late. As the colonel presented the award...

These Stihl 025 engines really stump me. I imagine the MS 250's do the same thing now and then. Here's the problem and associated observations: (1) The engine has great compression -- over 145 psi. Rings are fine. (2) The engine has a good spark but will not start and not even pop. (3) Four...

I recently upgraded a non-running Stihl 024 to an 026 top end and added a new carb, new air filter, new plastic. I cut a truckload of wood with it today: The engine always starts and runs rather well except (1) it lacks WOT power and (2) it smokes a little too much. Running on the same fuel...

Owner said it wouldn't start and was lacking power before it died. I checked the compression -- rather good for an old warrior. Spark was good. Fuel filter and fuel line were good. However, I noticed it had a hard time filling up the primer bulb (purge pump). Looks like it had been run many...

... Then he called me. He said the saw went through three or four tanks of fuel. Then he could not even pull it over and restart. I carefully took it apart, hoping the top end was still OK. It wasn't. Here's the piston from all sides: Exhaust: Intake: Left of Exhaust: Right of Exhaust...