What's on your bench?

[PogoInTheWoods]

So I've read and contributed to many debates on using OEM vs. AM circlips for aftermarket piston kits. Generally, I've used what came with the kits and never had a problem..., when the right size clips are provided.

Granted, the grooves are usually a bit deeper and wider in AM pistons -- probably approaching an extra mm or two larger than the pin -- easy. But do they actually expect a 12mm clip to not deform while trying to squeeze it into place through a 10mm hole for a 10mm wrist pin?

Doing one today with that problem. No way that clip was going in without deforming so I used an OEM Stihl clip instead. It went in easy by comparison which also has me a little nervous since it's swallowed up pretty good by the groove. Pin isn't going anywhere, but I can't help but wonder how secure the clips actually are. I've only used OEM clips in AM kits a couple times when the AM clips deformed. Nervous each time then, too..., and for the same reason. They were swallowed up in an oversized groove.

Just kinda curious about other folks' experiences with the same issue.

 

[Gullet]

You should compare them to destruction some time.
Just take one AM & one OEM & compare the two.
There is a lot of people who have had problems with AM.

I've never used AM but cant imagine them standing up to abuse like OEM's can.
I recently pulled some old 12mm Shindaiwa clips & was shocked at their strength!

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I didn't even know about trimming the AM clips in 1 or 2 rebuilds I did early on , I haven't had any problems yet.
Even with oem I try and seat the clips real hard with a 1/4" socket , if I can't push them out or the pin, its very unlikely that during normal operation of the saw they would come out.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Converted the old Plymouth over to HEI for convenience.

 

[Gullet]

I didn't even know about trimming the AM clips in 1 or 2 rebuilds I did early on , I haven't had any problems yet.
Even with oem I try and seat the clips real hard with a 1/4" socket , if I can't push them out or the pin, its very unlikely that during normal operation of the saw they would come out.

You mean trim the ears off?

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Yes

 

[Ronie]

So I've read and contributed to many debates on using OEM vs. AM circlips for aftermarket piston kits. Generally, I've used what came with the kits and never had a problem..., when the right size clips are provided.

Granted, the grooves are usually a bit deeper and wider in AM pistons -- probably approaching an extra mm or two larger than the pin -- easy. But do they actually expect a 12mm clip to not deform while trying to squeeze it into place through a 10mm hole for a 10mm wrist pin?

Doing one today with that problem. No way that clip was going in without deforming so I used an OEM Stihl clip instead. It went in easy by comparison which also has me a little nervous since it's swallowed up pretty good by the groove. Pin isn't going anywhere, but I can't help but wonder how secure the clips actually are. I've only used OEM clips in AM kits a couple times when the AM clips deformed. Nervous each time then, too..., and for the same reason. They were swallowed up in an oversized groove.

Just kinda curious about other folks' experiences with the same issue.

A few years ago I used the original OEM clips in a Meteor piston and they slipped in real easy like yours did, that saw lost both clips, bent the crank and knocked a hole on the case. Now I check the wire diameter if I'm going to use the OEM clips and make sure they are still springy.

 

[Gullet]

From what I've read, there has been ALOT more issues with AM clips overall than OEM.
Could be OEM has cut corners over the years to save precious coin, but overall OEM clips are as designed.
AM is "close" to as designed.
Personally, I'd never use AM in a valuable saw.
It is a critical point as is wrist pin & bearing.
Just MHO.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

Actually, the critical point when mixing AM and OEM is the tolerance between the AM clip groove and the OEM clip. Hence my concern as explained. The only times I've used OEM clips in AM pistons I used new OEM clips. Never re-used.

And for the record, I've used dozens and dozens of the provided AM clips with and without trimmed ears and not had one single failure. On the other hand, my only clip failures were both OEM clips with OEM piston kits. One deformed and lost tension when installed and the other was simply not completely installed.

And fwiw, OEM clips will bend and deform just like AM clips if incorrectly forced into position..., sometimes even easier.

Thanks for everyone's input. I guess I'll roll with the OEM since the AM 12mm clips provided ain't gonna fit into a 10mm wrist pin slot without major deformity anyway. I needed to force the OEM clip ends into proper orientation with my little insertion tool once they were in the groove, so have a certain degree of confidence in them -- in a static room temp condition. What concerns me is their ability to withstand extended operation hot at 14k. I imagine I'll find that out pretty fast.

 

[Gullet]

Actually, the critical point when mixing AM and OEM is the tolerance between of the AM clip groove and the OEM clip. Hence my concern as explained. The only times I've used OEM clips in AM pistons I used new OEM clips. Never re-used.

And for the record, I've used dozens and dozens of the provided AM clips with and without trimmed ears and not had one single failure. On the other hand, my only clip failures were both OEM clips with OEM piston kits. One deformed and lost tension when installed and the other was simply not completely installed.

And fwiw, OEM clips will bend and deform just like AM clips if incorrectly forced into position..., sometimes even easier.

Thanks for everyone's input. I guess I'll roll with the OEM since the AM 12mm clips provided ain't gonna fit into a 10mm wrist pin slot without major deformity anyway. I needed to force the OEM clip ends into proper orientation with my little insertion tool once they were in the groove, so have a certain degree of confidence in them -- in a static room temp condition. What concerns me is their ability to withstand extended operation hot at 14k. I imagine I'll find that out pretty fast.

So spread the word?
AM is the way to go?
Do you have to trim em?
You have Google right?


I wouldn't use AM clips if they were free.
When I can simply pay under $1/ea OEM.

Just MHO.

 

[Gullet]

Which specific brand of AM circlips should I be looking for?
There's only about 80 different versions of Chinesium flavors to choose from?

 

[Al Smith]

Not on a bench but the tail gate of my little truck .These little toys my niece said would not run for some reason . For one the 240 was so plugged up with sawdust on the filter it couldn't breath and the chain looked like they where cutting chain link fence .I got it going but it certainly did not impress me .I'll get other one in a day or so . I hope the second one is better than this thing .

 

[Red97]

Some wildthing bits and pieces

 

[WillG]

Found this in the shop the other day. Guy didn't want to fix it so he let me have it. Getting a fuel system overhaul so new fuel line, fuel filter, tank vent and carb kit as the diaphragms are pretty crispy. Cleaned up nicely too. New air filter and gasket on the way too. Seems pretty healthy and popped on mix down the carb.

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

 

[qurotro]

So spread the word?
AM is the way to go?
Do you have to trim em?
You have Google right?


I wouldn't use AM clips if they were free.
When I can simply pay under $1/ea OEM.

Just MHO.

The point is, some AM pistons machined the clip grooves for larger wire diameter. OEM just won't work. Especially for those small bore saw pistons.
Maybe try trimming a 12mm OEM clip for the 10mm wrist pin bore.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Hey Will these ara a great all around saw! I definitely would share that a muffler mod is really needed with these though, they really choke without it.
Nice score , you suck.

 

[WillG]

Hey Will these ara a great all around saw! I definitely would share that a muffler mod is really needed with these though, they really choke without it.
Nice score , you suck.

Hehehe thank you!
What's the most common muffler mod?

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeDirt]

Trying to get a swivel locking pin made for my bench vise. Made some drawings based on the old one. The vise is a Prentiss, I think pre-war but don't quote me. Big old MFer, over 100 lbs. Swivel jaw and swivel base.

 

[Nutball]

View attachment 350107

Some wildthing bits and pieces

Are you and ironhorse having a buildoff?

 

[Red97]

Are you and ironhorse having a buildoff?

Sawfest has a wild thing class. Anything goes stock bore and stroke.