Muffler splitting methods ???

[Brewz]

Hi folks.

I have had a go at splitting a 2 piece crimp join muffler a couple times and have either ruined it, or given up for fear of ruining it.

I want to crack into the muffler on my Echo 550 to gut it and am wondering if there is a preferred method?

How do I split it without destroying it?

 

[Redfin]

I heat the edge, get a wide flat driver under and pry up enough to get a set of small channel locks on it. Then just continue heat and prying around the perimeter.

 

[drf256]

On a 262, I cut the entire farging thing in half and then weld it back together.

 

[Brewz]

HEAT!

 

[ANewSawyer]

I had sucess on my trimmer just grinding the muffler in half then just bolting it back on. It did drip oil though.

 

[Brewz]

Na, I wont be grinding it.

Plan to put it in a vice and heat the edges to soften it and slowly work it open with a screwdriver.

 

[Backtroller]

I used a torch and these on my 6421. Lots of heat and then used a normal slip joint to re crimp. Broke a set of these between the heat and stainless steel of the muffler

 

[Brewz]

Stainless is a bugger..... its just not up for bending is it.
Also, once you heat stainless to a certain temp, its no longer stainless and will rust.

 

[stihl saws]

I used a Map torch and a palm sized set of Vise grip pliers to uncrimp the stainless on my 6400. Normal propane didn't seem to get it hot enough. I also burnt the tip off my screwdriver. Lol

 

[stihl saws]

Stainless is a bugger..... its just not up for bending is it.
Also, once you heat stainless to a certain temp, its no longer stainless and will rust.

Yes, the stainless is a pain. It went back together much faster than it came apart. A good vise is a definite must have.

 

[Wilhelm]

A stainless steel muffler will require some serious heat to be un-crimped.
Luckily I did my PS-7900's regular steel muffler cold.

True stainless steel shouldn't rust under any circumstances, and it shouldn't be magnetic either.
A cheap wannabe stainless steel alloy might do both.
I am not an expert on alloys though!

 

[mdavlee]

Lots of high grade alloys are magnetic and will rust. 300 series stainless won't rust until carbon is embedded. Stainless doesn't like being bent. If you can weld it after you get it apart you'll be better off.

 

[Brewz]

My muffler is NOT stainless.
would be worth more than the saw if it was

 

[panteliss]

Use a grinder and cut the mufler then you can use any type of welder , or brazing for weld the muffler again

so simple

 

[panteliss]

My muffler is NOT stainless.
would be worth more than the saw if it was

They use the most cheap inox

 

[cus_deluxe]

Good thread, im subbed. Ive mutilated a couple, i think patience is critical.

 

[ft. churchill]

Some them that are just crimped, and not furnace brazed, I work the crimp loose all the way around, gut it etc, then crimp it back. If it is factory brazed then I take the thinest demel cutting disc and cut it about a 1/4" above the joint on three sides. on the last side cut through leaving three uncut areas as guide tabs to form a "hinge". Then open it up like a suitcase along the hinge and do your muff mods. To close it up, fold it back down (this is where the hinge helps so much) and tack weld or braze the opposite side from your hinge. Then take the dremel and cut out the hinge tabs. Then that side will fold down tight and remove any gap. TIG, MIG or braze all the way around and your done.
This is the easyest way to do these tough muff mods that I have found. The hinge makes it a snap to get a good line up and fit for joining the metal back together.

 

[Wilhelm]

My muffler is NOT stainless.
would be worth more than the saw if it was

Can't You uncrimp it cold?

Once I got a starting point on my PS-7900's muffler uncrimping was relatively easy.

 

[jake wells]

you can use heat and flat blade screw driver takes time though oh and a small hammer will come in handy also.

 

[Brewz]

I had a go at un crimpling cold but the metal is thick and pretty tough.
It dud not want to bend easily which is why I stopped before I damaged the muffler