What brand of piston do you use?

Seems like a couple years ago everyone used Golf pistons but don't read much about them anymore. Are they still used as much or do most opt for the Meteor? For those of you that don't buy OEM what brand do you prefer for aftermarket pistons?

OEM. They're pricey but you can usually depend on them. If I save a few bucks on a cheapo piston and it costs me a day's work I haven't really saved anything.

Gologit said:

OEM. They're pricey but you can usually depend on them. If I save a few bucks on a cheapo piston and it costs me a day's work I haven't really saved anything.

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That is my thinking too, but I don't make a living with a saw. I have meteor pistons in a few of my saws and wouldn't think twice about putting another in. One of my saws has a Golf piston in it but wasn't too impressed with the finish. It runs good so you can't argue with results.

I never use aftermarket pistons in saws that someone depends on to make a living. I have used them in saws that are more homeowner owned saws they use for firewood cutting or yard cleanups. I like the Meteor and Episan pistons better but have used many Golf pistons with no problems to date. The Meteor and Episan pistons look to be better quality and have a better finish but may not work any better over the long run.
Pioneerguy600

I like to stick with OEM when it's cost effective to use. But I've been using some of Forester brand pistons with good success, they retail for about 30$ and if you can get a saw back running it's hard to beat.

does WISECO still make pistons or do they make them for saws,ive used them in sleds and dirtbikes with good results

I haven't really used much other than OEM. I did put a Golf piston in a friends saw and if it's any indication of the rest of their line, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. I also have a Meteor that I haven't installed yet and it looks great.

Episan

I used a episan to rebuild a efco 152....seemed better quality than the OEM vertex brand piston. On disassembly my piston stop went right through the top of the vertex piston(had to use rope). The episan was just beefier all around. The guy from greece (dandrikop) says that episan and meteor are the same company. Is that true? Heck if I know..but both are top notch OEM quality.

I was going to ask the same question im getting ready to rebuild that 880 im trying to get parts for and seen pistons on ebay for 30-40$ are these ok to use? Im not going to be running this saw everyday.

Well, since the question was "What is your favorite brand of aftermarket piston?" i voted Meteor.

:neutral:side by side the meteor piston looks to be better than episan,but i have used both

I would typically rather install a worn OEM piston then most of the AM pistons that I have seen.

That being said, if it is a saw that is going together purely for giggles and I do not have a OEM one then a AM will be fine unless it is a really expensive or hard to find cylinder, then I will wait for an OEM piston.

The AM pistons seem to be hit or miss no matter what the brand, some of the AM brands do seem to miss a lot more often though.

I voted other.

firefighter33 said:

I was going to ask the same question im getting ready to rebuild that 880 im trying to get parts for and seen pistons on ebay for 30-40$ are these ok to use? Im not going to be running this saw everyday.

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Use an OEM piston in an 880. That would be one of those expensive cylinders and not a saw to pinch pennies on.

I have had good luck with the Meteor pistons so I will stay with them

Meteor and NWP. I only do work for myself and a couple of friends and most of us have back-up saws for our back-up saws, so IF something went wrong with a non-OEM piston it is not going to cost us any time. IMO, most tree guys are going to blow a saw up way before they get a chance to wear it out.

I usually stick with OEM stuff for customers. The labor is the same, so even with aftermarket parts there is some investment on the customers part. A shop environment is so much different than doing you own work at home, mostly because the clock is ticking and you can't lose sight of things like cleaning and preping the original cylinder. So, unless I know the customer, and unless I know that he's clear in understanding the difference between a full OEM rebuild and taking the AM piston shortcut, my standard approach is OEM P&C or I don't mess with it.

For myself at home, when I'm counting the beers, rather than the labor clock, I've brought a bunch of saws back to life with just a Forester piston and whatever time it takes. So far, my results have been great, and I'm growing comfortable enough to use them selectively in the shop. For those of you who can do your own work, an AM piston is a great way to go.

It's also worth mentioning that complete aftermarket P&C sets often cost the same as just the OEM piston. So, if the original cylinder is questionable, this is an option other than an expensive OEM set. I've also used some of these kits, a few of which are in commercial use for over a year. So far, so good.

We use more OEM but do give the customer a choice. Meteor is excellent but the NWP is getting better all the time. If you must use a Golf use OEM clips!!!

wse8562 said:

We use more OEM but do give the customer a choice. Meteor is excellent but the NWP is getting better all the time. If you must use a Golf use OEM clips!!!

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Gotta watch that too,alot of aftermarket stuff now have different groove sizes,so oem clips wont always work.

I'm still using all the stock ones! Have never burnt one yet. Knock on wood!

michigander said:

I'm still using all the stock ones! Have never burnt one yet. Knock on wood!

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This is a chainsaw forum...wood ain't for knocking on!

So far, all I've used is OEM.