afleetcommand
Pinnacle OPE Member
So where I was last summer before a fall season logging. Now the g395 is definitely my favorite clone saw of any stripe. It cut three triaxle loads without any issues in fact just got better.
Very inconsistent these Chinese clones. Mine had two issues. First was the bar adjuster screw was so tight it couldn't be moved by hand. Chucked it in my drill, ran the screw back and forth with wd40 until it loosened up a bit. Second, one of the four screws on the carb cover was stripped...Stole the throttle and choke shaft and swapped it into a used OE Walbro hd18 (ms290-390 029-039)The Farmertec 361 is the one that caused me the most grief. eventually got a couple running well. The things that I had to do included modifying the tank vent, piercing a hole thru it. And using an OEM cylinder base gasket WITH 1184 both sides as it was tough to keep the cylinder/case flange sealed. And the fuel line too. had junk or rubber stuff from the manufacturing process blocking the flow of fuel. That was the one that took the longest to figure out and once I did and just replaced all the rubber with OEM.....they run fine. And the is contrasted by the big g888 which other than a few loose screws, one being a case screw; ran beautifully right out of the box. Even though I can't really use it as its too big, I do periodically pull it out and start it. Funny thing is, that saw is one of the easiest to start of all the blue saws. Might have a video around somewhere from last year when I fired it up.
I just used my first one of these seems very well made and had great fitment to the cylinderFinishing up a 372 build this morning. Doing it for someone else, and left it stock other than using a Dukes piston. Most folks out in the real world don't appreciate the extra noise. And honestly, for what I'm charging the guy, I'm not inclined to spend the extra time messing with the cylinder and muffler. Lol
These "performance coated" pistons have become my AM piston of choice. So far, they've been great.
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Little muff mod idea. Sure to ignite a debate. Looked at this stock 162S and thought, "now there's a nice simple idea".
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So.........did something similar on my 2165 build. No drilling, welding, brazing, baffles, pipes, or screws. No added material at all. Nothing to fall off and no gaping hole for stuff to fall into. Has a decent bark, but not too harsh. The fins are actually a little fatter than how they look. Pic was kind of straight on.
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Thought about deleting the gasket at some point. Did you measure compression or squish when you had it? I haven't yet myself. I don't think I have an OEM top end lying around. Used one with AM piston would be one avenue. New one would blow the clone's saw expense rationale. Muffler doesn't seem very restricted at all, has a decent size opening, so I'll leave that alone.That Blue g288 did a fair amount of work. I had Bar oiling issues until I put an OEM pump on it. I left the muffler as delivered and the cylinder too, even is the squish was a bit much just to see if it would function. And it sometimes has carb consistency issues. I'm thinking the intake block / gasket area might need some attention. A base gasket delete might help it snap too. The reason I didn't was I could start it and it worked. Pretty boring in that there was plenty of power, just not enough to brag about. Pretty basic solid saw is what it was. The g395 spoiled it's time for me as it was exciting to run and had power to spare. SO the g288 needed a home where it can just be what it is, now it has one Might be interesting to see an OEM top end sit on those cases. The plastic and cases where pretty solid.
Problem is you can't use a sample of one and paint the entire AM world with that experience. I have to admit I avoid the AM 372's as all mine had issues, a sample of like 5 or 6. All tweaked except one....and I think it's still is in running conditionNot at all trying to steal the discussion but I find this one interesting. I’ve been a long time lurker here. Picked up many tips n other entertainment along the way. Great atmosphere at OPE Forum!!!
I’ve had one of these blue Holzfforma’s- a G372xp to be exact. I bought it on fleaBay because it was cheap and I wanted to see what they’re about. I was initially far from impressed right after it arrived. New fuel line had a 3/4” long gouge out of it in the tank. Cylinder puked in the first 10 minutes of running -clipped a ring in the exhaust port. It sat under the work bench (actually play bench. It’s a spare time thing, this messing-with-chainsaws-disease) and I was disgusted. Finally I bought a Hyway 52mm p/c for it and a LRB 52mm popup for a 272… Had to laminate two gaskets together to get .019 squish. Cleaned up the ports and lower transfers. (No, I don’t consider myself very high on the list of knowledge. I did grow up in dads small engine shop, sure. But it’s more that every now n then I just have this itch that needs scratched…) Got it all together and still had a hard time tuning satisfactory. Finally slapped an oem hd-12 into it. Then I had control of that thing. Gave it a dual 3/4” port muffler and it ripped. FINALLY!!! I cut firewood with it with h an 18 inch bar and 10T sprocket. I liked the set up. Found a big white oak a neighbour wanted cleaned up and gave the little blue boy a snort. 28” with 8T sprocket. Was happy with performance. Ended up trading it for 2 390’s that needed TLC. Good learning curve for sure. Don’t think I’ll walk across a street to own a knock-off again tho. Not saying they’re write-off junk. Just I don’t feel like bothering with them again… View attachment 372468
Very true that! A broad brush is sure to make many mistakes in a scenario with so many variables!!Problem is you can't use a sample of one and paint the entire AM world with that experience. I have to admit I avoid the AM 372's as all mine had issues, a sample of like 5 or 6. All tweaked except one....and I think it's still is in running condition ( documented AdNauseam on YouTube ) Conversely the experience I had with the 660 clones and now 395 was completely different. Some AM copies are done better than others, and like even OEM saws, some samples are better than others. Take that logic to the OEM, and some buyers of early 562's even early 372's where there were catastrophic ( Warranty resolved ) issues, would paint all Husqvarna's as hand grenades.
I found a better quality 365/372 clone that wasn't a holzfforma different castings still had some tinkering to do to themNot at all trying to steal the discussion but I find this one interesting. I’ve been a long time lurker here. Picked up many tips n other entertainment along the way. Great atmosphere at OPE Forum!!!
I’ve had one of these blue Holzfforma’s- a G372xp to be exact. I bought it on fleaBay because it was cheap and I wanted to see what they’re about. I was initially far from impressed right after it arrived. New fuel line had a 3/4” long gouge out of it in the tank. Cylinder puked in the first 10 minutes of running -clipped a ring in the exhaust port. It sat under the work bench (actually play bench. It’s a spare time thing, this messing-with-chainsaws-disease) and I was disgusted. Finally I bought a Hyway 52mm p/c for it and a LRB 52mm popup for a 272… Had to laminate two gaskets together to get .019 squish. Cleaned up the ports and lower transfers. (No, I don’t consider myself very high on the list of knowledge. I did grow up in dads small engine shop, sure. But it’s more that every now n then I just have this itch that needs scratched…) Got it all together and still had a hard time tuning satisfactory. Finally slapped an oem hd-12 into it. Then I had control of that thing. Gave it a dual 3/4” port muffler and it ripped. FINALLY!!! I cut firewood with it with h an 18 inch bar and 10T sprocket. I liked the set up. Found a big white oak a neighbour wanted cleaned up and gave the little blue boy a snort. 28” with 8T sprocket. Was happy with performance. Ended up trading it for 2 390’s that needed TLC. Good learning curve for sure. Don’t think I’ll walk across a street to own a knock-off again tho. Not saying they’re write-off junk. Just I don’t feel like bothering with them again… View attachment 372468