Just Getting Started

[kingOFgEEEks]

So, now that the 064 thread is starting to wind down a little bit, I thought we should get a new hot topic started up.

For those amateurs (like I was a year or so ago) who are just getting started in saw repair, what are the list of tools that are must-have? How about a list, broken out into categories of 'Must Have', 'Intermediate', 'Advanced', and 'Saw Porting'?

I'll start it off. Here is my list that I would suggest to someone who wanted to do some tinkering on saws:

Must Have:
Metric sockets and wrenches (most people have at least some of these already)
Phillips and slotted screwdrivers
Assorted pliers
Mallet or dead-blow hammer
Drift punch
T-handle Allen and Torx wrenches
Vac/pressure tester (even an HF brake bleeder is better than nothing)
Rotary tool (Dremel or similar)

With the above list of tools, I've been able to repair and rebuild several saws, but I haven't had to split a crank or do a lot of bottom end work.

What say you guys? Am I missing some must-have tool? What tools could a beginner add to his arsenal to increase his capabilities without parting with a lot of coin?

 

[Dub11]

I would grab one of the HLS saw wrench sets alot there for the money and some plastic clamp thing for fuel lines

 

[Coutu]

Cool thread. I could say Needle nose pliers are very handy and sometimes necessary.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

I would grab one of the HLS saw wrench sets alot there for the money and some plastic clamp thing for fuel lines

I just took a look at that HLS kit. Looks nice.

Cool thread. I could say Needle nose pliers are very handy and sometimes necessary.

Definitely. I would even say a set of hemostats might be a good addition under the 'Intermediate' category.

I'll wait for some more comments, then update the list.

 

[Stihlsmoking]

I use my snap on cotter pin removal tool a lot for cir-clips on pistons.
Or a cheap pick set. Also the home made seal removal screwdriver works great.
I eventually had to buy a flywheel removal tool from Dave.

 

[old guy]

Hemostats are great for fuel line work.
Ring compressors also makes life easyer.

 

[tree monkey]

duck tape, tie wire. rust remover, post mall.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Re-thinking things a little bit. 'Must Have' would be things to keep your saw running properly. Many things in this category are tools that people may already have if they are at all handy. 'Intermediate' would be basic tools for repairs and minor rebuilds. 'Advanced' would include splitting the case, carb work more intense than just cleaning and replacing diaphragms and gaskets. Especially tools that are chainsaw specific...


Must Have:
Metric sockets and wrenches (most people have at least some of these already)
Phillips and slotted screwdrivers
Assorted pliers (Especially needle nose)
Mallet or dead-blow hammer
Drift punch
T-handle Allen and Torx wrenches
Vac/pressure tester (even an HF brake bleeder is better than nothing)


Intermediate:
Rotary tool (Dremel or similar)
Compression gauge
Hemostats
Ring Compressors
Pick or pin removal tool
Calipers


Advanced:
Flywheel puller
Case splitter
Electric impact driver with long-shank bits

duck tape, tie wire. rust remover, post mall.

Tannerite?

 

[Czed]

25ft Roll each of echo bulk fuel line 5mm and 6mm.
Tuning screwdrivers 3mm 4mm 5mm t handles usually or the long bits for a cordless drill .
Long hemostats motoseal emory cloth.
Small phillps screwdrivers
1/4 inch socket set
Thin needle nose pliers.
I keep common chinese carbs handy clammy stihls and huskys.
I have a tool tote i carry around simplifies everything.

 

[cus_deluxe]

you guys have it pretty well covered. i bought the 9-piece wiha chainsaw tool kit. best $50 i ever spent. gotta have a compression gauge, mv8500 is right up there if you plan to do any serious diagnosis. dremel type tool is pretty key as well. someday ill get myself a ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[cus_deluxe]

also as mentioned above, i bought a 6" and 8 or 9" set of hemostats, 1 straight and 1 curved, from a canadian vet supply on ebay for $6 or 7 per set. invaluable for fuel line work.

 

[Homemade]

Piston ring clamp set
Piston stop

Possible to do the job with out but using a shoe lace as a piston stop is kinda tedious. And a hose clamp as a makeshift piston ring compressor really sucks, but gets the job done in a pinch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David Young]

duck tape, tie wire. rust remover, post mall.

 

[angelo c]

Vaseline...

feels better if you lube up before you get frenched for all this work you did.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Updated before I leave work for the day:

Must Have:
Metric sockets and wrenches (most people have at least some of these already)
Phillips and slotted screwdrivers
Assorted pliers (Especially needle nose)
Mallet or dead-blow hammer
Drift punch
T-handle Allen and Torx wrenches
Vac/pressure tester (even an HF brake bleeder is better than nothing)
Tool Organization (A fixed work station plus a mobile kit?)


Intermediate:
Rotary tool (Dremel or similar)
Compression gauge
Hemostats
Ring Compressors
Pick or pin removal tool
Calipers
Piston Stop


Advanced:
Flywheel puller
Case splitter
Electric impact driver with long-shank bits
Ultrasonic Cleaner (maybe intermediate?)


Consumeables, Parts and Materials:
Common fuel lines
Carb kits
Spare carbs in common sizes
Recoil rope and spare handles
Emery Cloth
Scotch Brite Pads
Loctite / Threebond / Yamabond / Dirko (We could probably do a whole thread on this)
A horde of parts saws


Porting Tools:
Foredom
Lathe and tooling
Degree Wheel
Jane Fonda leg exercise videos


OPE Specialty Tools:
Bailing Wire
Zip Ties
Duck Tape (Or duct tape)
WD-40
Vaseline (or water based lube if you're using condoms)
Placemats with coloring pictures and activities on the back, plus 3 crayons

 

[Stihlsmoking]

Tool Organization (A fixed work station plus a mobile kit?)

Does a kitchen table count ?

 

[pro94lt]

No mention of an air compressor? That's the most important to me...

 

[Chainganger]

Consumables. Locktite 518, extra spark plugs and fuel filters, brake cleaner

 

[cus_deluxe]

No mention of an air compressor? That's the most important to me...

I look forward to the day when i have an air compressor. Ive gotten by but just barely haha

 

[Czed]

Some compression testers suck
Pay for quality.
Old versus Christmas gift piece of *s-word.
Same saw.