Why port?

[julie wolf]

Good question that deserves some dissertation. If you are new to chainsaws, I would recommend that you spend some time learning how to safely do what you are trying to do. Invest in a pair of chainsaw protection chaps, and eye/ear protection, and a helmet if felling trees is on the to do list. After you become VERY familiar with saw work, and have the proper PPE, it is time to evaluate if you are interested in speeding up your saw operations.

Now you need to run a reputable ported saw and understand how differently they operate, and also if that increase in power and speed is something you are willing to match up skill level with. Otherwise you will end up like the rest of us here;
addicted to building and buying hot rod saws and never quite being satisfied... also known as CAD. There are several top notch saw porter/ builders on this site, read their reviews and talk to them about their products.

I only run my stock saws when there is no need for the awesome performance of my work saws.

Well, I have the pants, helmet, ear and eye protection, so I am set there. Always a good reminder thanks, and reminds me I still need to get some boots.

I am learning the ins and outs of my saw. It is still in the break in period. So far it has enough power for me. But I am curious and want to learn all I can before choosing to port or not to port.

As for porting, what about longevity? I have heard that porting a saw will decrease its lifespan, is that true?

 

[Ketchup]

In For Sale threads I often see saws ported by members here (meaning a lot of work was done and they could rip the stink off a fartbug) in excellent shape where the saw owner only put a few hours on the saw after having it ported and the saw mainly sat idle the last three to seven years. Why is that?

If you’re doing a lot of saw repairs and porting you spend more time wrenching and grinding than cutting. You also tend to have back-up saws in case your favorite is mid repair. Sometimes I end up with backups for the backups. Those might go up for sale having seen very little use.

There are also weekend warriors that decide they need the money more than the saw.

But occasionally the saw is a dud. I wouldn’t sell that, but buyer beware.

 

[farminkarman]

As for porting, what about longevity? I have heard that porting a saw will decrease its lifespan, is that true?

That depends on how the saw is ported, and how good of a job the builder did with port shape & bevels. If ports are too wide & flat, the piston & ring life is going to suffer. I would argue that some ported saws will live longer than stock thanks to a good muffler mod that discards heat better.

 

[dall]

I have less than 1k in all my dozens of saws but you stihl guy's wouldn't run them
They have scratches on them.

I have scratches on mine too but I didn’t get them from the marina

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I have less than 1k in all my dozens of saws but you stihl guy's wouldn't run them
They have scratches on them.

Very true. Many saws are useful tools, but with STIHL you can form a relationship.
“Glück entsteht oft durch Aufmerksamkeit in kleinen Dingen, Unglück oft durch Vernachlässigung kleiner Dinge.” -Wilhelm Busch

 

[Stump Shot]

I have scratches on mine too from pulling them from the dumpster I found them in.

Fixeded. Lol

 

[Stump Shot]

Very true. Many saws are useful tools, but with STIHL you can form a relationship.
“Glück entsteht oft durch Aufmerksamkeit in kleinen Dingen, Unglück oft durch Vernachlässigung kleiner Dinge.” -Wilhelm Busch

Sure just bend over and be ready.

 

[Stump Shot]

Well, I have the pants, helmet, ear and eye protection, so I am set there. Always a good reminder thanks, and reminds me I still need to get some boots.

I am learning the ins and outs of my saw. It is still in the break in period. So far it has enough power for me. But I am curious and want to learn all I can before choosing to port or not to port.

As for porting, what about longevity? I have heard that porting a saw will decrease its lifespan, is that true?

I'll be porting one soon if you happen to be coming up in the area you could try it, or if you want more info call me for a detailed discussion on the subject at hand/ pm for number.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

These are good i had my neighbors buy them
so they don't dump dull chains at my shop anymore.
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-53...locphy=200574&hvtargid=pla-306140053563&psc=1
And it's easy to adjust rakers when needed with this kit.

The pferd 2 in 1 “also sold as the Stihl 2 in 1” works well for a firewood/homeowner. The make good serviceable chain all in one step rakers and everything but might not be fast enough cutting for a pro user.

 

[Czed]

Very true. Many saws are useful tools, but with STIHL you can form a relationship.
“Glück entsteht oft durch Aufmerksamkeit in kleinen Dingen, Unglück oft durch Vernachlässigung kleiner Dinge.” -Wilhelm Busch

View attachment 396342

You get a lot of things with stihl

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I'll be porting one soon if you happen to be coming up in the area you could try it, or if you want more info call me for a detailed discussion on the subject at hand/ pm for number.

Offering test runs hey? Haha, was going to tell you if it was done by the cities g2g you probably could let Aaron run it and it would be a for sure sale of another 400 port job.

 

[redline4]

I have less than 1k in all my dozens of saws but you stihl guy's wouldn't run them
They have scratches on them.

Scratches, cracks, broken stuff, ported, plus the dreaded MS441c.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Scratches, cracks, broken stuff, ported, plus the dreaded MS441c.
View attachment 396345

I’ll have one of those too when I get back to work after surgery. It’s going to Tennessee

 

[Czed]

Well, I have the pants, helmet, ear and eye protection, so I am set there. Always a good reminder thanks, and reminds me I still need to get some boots.

I am learning the ins and outs of my saw. It is still in the break in period. So far it has enough power for me. But I am curious and want to learn all I can before choosing to port or not to port.

As for porting, what about longevity? I have heard that porting a saw will decrease its lifespan, is that true?

You have a modern reliable 66cc saw that is capable of cutting anything that needs to be cut
Here's a original 66cc saw from 1985
That i still use all the time.
I didn't have a ported saw until 2010
And I've been cutting since the mid 1980s
I wouldn't be in a rush to spend a few hundred getting it ported I'd run it a lot and get used to cutting with it before I'd decide to do that or not.

 

[julie wolf]

You have a modern reliable 66cc saw that is capable of cutting anything that needs to be cut View attachment 396346
Here's a original 66cc saw from 1985
That i still use all the time.
I didn't have a ported saw until 2010
And I've been cutting since the mid 1980s
I wouldn't be in a rush toi spend a few hundred getting it ported I'd run it a lot and get used to cutting with it before I'd decide to do that or not.

Smart advice, thanks!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

You get a lot of things with stihl

Like not suffering from the RedMax / Husqvarna / Jonsred / McCulloch / PoulanPro / Weed Eater "Who's-my-daddy???" identity crisis.

 

[Czed]

Scratches, cracks, broken stuff, ported, plus the dreaded MS441c.
View attachment 396345

Those 441s are a pain to work on i rebuilt my neighbors i told him to just buy a new saw if it fries again before bringing it back to me.

 

[Squareground3691]

You have a modern reliable 66cc saw that is capable of cutting anything that needs to be cut View attachment 396346
Here's a original 66cc saw from 1985
That i still use all the time.
I didn't have a ported saw until 2010
And I've been cutting since the mid 1980s
I wouldn't be in a rush toi spend a few hundred getting it ported I'd run it a lot and get used to cutting with it before I'd decide to do that or not.

Once you’ve learned,

 

[redline4]

Those 441s are a pain to work on i rebuilt my neighbors i told him to just buy a new saw if it fries again before bringing it back to me.

There's no shortage of dislike for them, that's certain.
A guy should probably pair it up with a 6.5 Creedmoor for the ultimate hate package..

 

[Czed]

Once you’ve learned, View attachment 396352

That was a nice top cover