Mastermind Meets The MS400 C-M

[MustangMike]

Very interesting, thanks Ronnie.

I know my Dad had a magnesium ladder ... better than aluminum (lighter and stiffer), but a lot more expensive!

I'll bet that coating on the piston is the key to its success, and that Stihl is keeping that info very close to the vest!

 

[dustinwilt68]

Higher compression ratios do cause an increase in the charge temperature right before combustion, but the combustion itself happens more efficiently with less heat loss to the piston & cylinder. So, don’t assume that higher compression in a chainsaw is going to make more heat in the cylinder. A higher average power output that a ported saw can produce would be a bigger cause of extra heat. Going back to compression…those of you who have messed with Diesel engines have probably observed that they can be difficult to warm up in cold weather. This is because Diesel engines with their high compression ratios lose less heat to the cylinder wall and head (one of the big reasons they are more efficient than a gasoline engine).

Wish my diesel warmed up quicker for driving to work, I am almost there before it gets good and warm.

 

[RI Chevy]

All I keep thinking of is a magnesium fire starter. Lol. Highly flammable/combustible.

 

[Woodpecker]

I imagine a good ceramic coating would be very durable.

If fact, I think Stihl was saying that this piston usually does not need to be replaced if you have a lean burn.

Not sure how you would know if there is no transfer on the cylinder???

That’s what I’m betting too Mike. That’s why I didn’t mind buying one. Materials like ceramic, carbon fiber, graphene, etc. figure to become more and more the norm.

 

[Ronie]

I was thinking that I might want one and was curious about what a new piston would cost if I ever needed one, I couldn't find a piston but did find a new take off cylinder and piston kit, I better stick to older saws.

 

[TreeLife]

All I keep thinking of is a magnesium fire starter. Lol. Highly flammable/combustible.

My first thought was how pretty Mag is on fire...

 

[Woodpecker]

I wonder how the saw will react to increasing compression because magnesium doesn't conduct heat as much as aluminum.

Seems like that would be a good thing. Less likely to heat soak and more likely to move the excess heat out the exhaust.

 

[Ronie]

Seems like that would be a good thing. Less likely to heat soak and more likely to move the excess heat out the exhaust.

It might be, I was just thinking that with the heat from high compression that you might need an aluminum piston to help soak up some of it.

 

[Woodpecker]

It might be, I was just thinking that with the heat from high compression that you might need an aluminum piston to help soak up some of it.

That’s not an unreasonable theory. Could be easy enough to test with this saw being so similar to a 362

 

[Duce]

This magnesium piston reminds me of something that happened in high school. Someone took iron filings and made a small mound, placed a strip of magnesium under that mound. Touched flame to that strip and off went reaction, sparks went right through glass hood, burnt through firer brick, counter top and stopped after going through tile, then hitting concrete. Did I do that? Lucky teacher had blown toilet off wall with sodium, when he was in same high school. Didn't hurt that I help him with IPS class and graded papers. Just imagine piston starting on fire from pre- ignition and melting saw down. Who will be the first, may never happen.

 

[Ronie]

This magnesium piston reminds me of something that happened in high school. Someone took iron filings and made a small mount, placed a strip of magnesium under that mound. Touched flame to that strip and off went reaction, sparks went right through glass hood, burnt through firer brick, counter top and stopped after going through tile, then hitting concrete. Did I do that? Luck teacher had blown toilet off wall with sodium, when he was in same high school. Didn't hurt that I help him with IPS class and graded papers. Just imagine piston starting on fire from pre- ignition and melting saw down. Who will be the first, may never happen.

That's like something my dad told me how to make when I was younger, he was SF demolition, he said you could put it on a car hood and it would burn straight down thorough the block.

 

[redline4]

My dealer had 1 MS400 and a bunch of 180's and that was it.

 

[farminkarman]

My dealer had 1 MS400 and a bunch of 180's and that was it.

View attachment 324776

The 400 didn’t follow you home?

 

[redline4]

The 400 didn’t follow you home?

No.
I currently have zero extra funds. Surgery on my dog plus paid property taxes and such that leaves nothing but our emergency funds. And according to my wife adding another saw to the shelf is not an emergency.

 

[farminkarman]

No.
I currently have zero extra funds. Surgery on my dog plus paid property taxes and such that leaves nothing but our emergency funds. And according to my wife adding another saw to the shelf is not an emergency.

That reminds me that I still have to pay taxes . Mine went up $700 over previous year because people thought we needed a new High School…even though attendance has been steadily declining.

 

[Mastermind]

That reminds me that I still have to pay taxes . Mine went up $700 over previous year because people thought we needed a new High School…even though attendance has been steadily declining.

I'd move.

 

[farminkarman]

I'd move.

Taxes here are horrible…the downside to living on a farm that is a 5 min drive from town.

 

[Woodpecker]

That's like something my dad told me how to make when I was younger, he was SF demolition, he said you could put it on a car hood and it would burn straight down thorough the block.

Read: thermite… in this case it sounds like @Duce used magnesium instead of aluminum with the iron. Oxidized iron works best. Have fun kids but don’t forget your goggles

 

[Ronie]

Read: thermite… in this case it sounds like @Duce used magnesium instead of aluminum with the iron. Oxidized iron works best. Have fun kids but don’t forget your gogglesView attachment 324778

That's what he was talking about, I don't remember the exact ingredients, over 40 years ago,

 

[Ronie]

according to my wife adding another saw to the shelf is not an emergency.

I asked my wife for $900 after watching the video so I could get one and she just laughed at me.