Braapp-Shack/SCARR Engineering 394 build, DONE :)

[XP_Slinger]

It runs very strong and as soon as I get into some good sized stuff to really test it I'll get a vid. Sunday just wasn't the day for that with what we were cutting. We had fun with the 357's though. A ported 357 really puts a smile on my face.

Sounds like it's time to drop that big white ash on the edge of my yard

 

[jmssaws]

I've never had one very fast,maybe 13.8k or so,it's not how fast it will 4 stroke and be safe it's the gigantic rotating assembly spinning over 14k that spooks me.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Got into some wood worthy of the 394 today. Large sugar maple, aka "hard" maple. This stuff is harder, denser, and heavier than any species of oak we have around here, and I'd say any other species in this area in general. This stuff WILL give any saw a tough workout.

Anyway, I buried the 36" bar completely noodling out blocks several times today. Even blocking up the log the bar all but disappeared a quite a few times. The saw pulled it well and I am well pleased with it.

Edit to add: running an 8-pin rim on it for this outing. Thinking maybe the 7-pin might have been the better choice for this particular job. But I plan on getting a Tsumura 28" RW for this thing which will be on it most of the time, and I think the 8-pin will work well

Will be uploading a couple vids to YouTube and share here. But in the meantime, here is a pic

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

So here is a couple of vids. XP_Slinger was cutting with me using his ported 372XT. Not knocking the 372, but in this wood the 394 really shows it's muscle over the 372.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

This pic sums it up pretty well...

Noodling 36" in hard maple is a hell of a workout for any saw!

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

So I cut up yet another big ol hawg of a sugar maple log for my brother in law this weekend.. and that Tree-90-Feckin-Fo gave me a little pleasant surprise... Found out I have some kind of minor binding in my throttle that stops you a tad short of WFO if you apply the usual amount of throttle squeeze. So I started making sure I was squeezing her all the way and it runs a bit meaner than in the vids I posted. I'll pull the lid and see if I can find the source of the binding and address it.

 

[Wolverine]

NOS not engaging right? lol.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

NOS not engaging right? lol.

LOL! Not quite, seems like maybe the last 1/8 of throttle, maybe a little less... But now you got me thinking...

 

[mdavlee]

Throttle cable can be stretched. I went through it on a 2171. 394 is a cable by itself. 372/385/395 are the same.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Throttle cable can be stretched. I went through it on a 2171. 394 is a cable by itself. 372/385/395 are the same.

Actually, I replaced the cable with a brand new OEM cable a couple of weeks ago because the little plastic sleeve on the carb end of the cable casing was nearly cut through from wear. Good advice though.

However: can a 372/385/395 cable be used but not quite work properly? I ask because usually when I order parts from my local guy I usually look up part numbers myself and just rattle off the numbers to him that I need ordered. When I got the cable I just stopped in to see if they had one on hand. They might have mistakenly thought the 395 cable was the same... I didn't know it was different till you just commented. I did ask for a 394 cable though..

 

[mdavlee]

Actually, I replaced the cable with a brand new OEM cable a couple of weeks ago because the little plastic sleeve on the carb end of the cable casing was nearly cut through from wear. Good advice though.

There goes my guess[emoji6]

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

There goes my guess[emoji6]

See above, I edited my post to include a bit more info.

 

[mdavlee]

395 cable doesn't have the little sleeve.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

So I got the correct cable, thanks.

 

[mdavlee]

So I got the correct cable, thanks.

Yep. I ordered one 3 times before I got the right one.

 

[huskihl]

So I cut up yet another big ol hawg of a sugar maple log for my brother in law this weekend.. and that Tree-90-Feckin-Fo gave me a little pleasant surprise... Found out I have some kind of minor binding in my throttle that stops you a tad short of WFO if you apply the usual amount of throttle squeeze. So I started making sure I was squeezing her all the way and it runs a bit meaner than in the vids I posted. I'll pull the lid and see if I can find the source of the binding and address it.

Mine does that too. I replaced the plastic insert on the carb and it didn't fix it. Was hoping it was the cable. For now, I wrapped a single strand of fine copper wire around the insert a few wraps to increase the size of the insert where the cable rides on it. Works fine for now. Or at least until you figure out what causes it

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I'm going to pull the cylinder cover and check the carb linkage to make sure nothing is binding. It could very well be in my throttle trigger and lock too I suppose

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Got a little perspective today at work. Had to clean up a tree and I used my employer's 394 with a 24" bar for the bigger stuff. It only has a BG delete for mods, other than that it is bone stock. I haven't run it since last cutting season and have been running my 394 the last two weekends in a row.

I'll tell ya what, my 394 will eat the town's 394 for lunch! The difference is stark. But for the weight, it seemed like a different, if not a little smaller saw after running mine.

 

[bikemike]

I've never had one very fast,maybe 13.8k or so,it's not how fast it will 4 stroke and be safe it's the gigantic rotating assembly spinning over 14k that spooks me.

Either it holds or blows. What they lack in lugging torque they make up for with rpm under load

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well I'm happy to report that last two little loose ends have been addressed on my 394.

Throttle issue: turns out that the throttle lock spring was shifting out of it's slot on the left side of the throttle trigger causing the binding issue. I found that it was holding me back more than I thought. I was lacking almost the last full third of the throttle range to WFO! I tweeked the spring a little bit and now it stays in it's slot. And what a difference that last third of throttle makes!

The other issue was the whole early 394 clutch cover and the shorter chainbrake spring with it's discontinued cover. @XP_Slinger modified the late style chainbrake spring cover while I was fiddling with the throttle (thanks man) and it came out nicely. I didn't think to snap a pic so if anyone wants to see I'll get one next time I have the clutch cover off. But it is pretty straight forward what you need to do.

So now I have my shiney NOS early style 394 clutch cover on and this build is officially completed! Thanks again to all for the advice and help along the way, thanks to @srcarr52 for the work on the cylinder, and thanks to my brother XP_Slinger for the use of the barn. Had alot of fun building this saw.

Next project will probably wait till later this year after our family camping trip...but I think it's going to be a 281 build.