Deciding whether to buy a Stihl O56 Magnum II - Good Saw? - Bad Saw?

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Old Gold

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I recently stumbled onto an older Stihl 056 Magnum II at a local pawnshop. The saw is in excellent condition and has been gone through completely. The saw runs great and shows no visual sign of abuse that anyone who runs saw can notice right off the bat. This saw would definitely meet all the requirements I have of a firewood saw. My only problem is, I don't really know anyone who has owned one. I don't know much about the model. I know the 056 is no longer manufactured, and it is high cubed/cc/hp saw. I would appreciate any insight into the 056 from former and current users, owners, etc. Thank you very much.
 
56mm bore, 38mm stroke, 93.4cc displacement. Should run any bar you want and cut any tree you want. It is a heavy beast-over 20 lbs with the bar. You won't want to carry it far.
 
Great old saw...the only issue is the Bosch ignitions. If it fails, it's incredibly expensive to replace, and many of the used ignitions aren't good either. Run the saw and get it good and hot (cover the air intake by the flywheel wth a cloth for a few minutes while idling. The ignition will just quit when hot if bad...

FYI if the Bosch ignition fails, it's no longer available and your need to replace it with the 1108 version, (list $190) PLUS you need to buy the matching flywheel (list $115, and hard to find used..).

Last time it happen to me we just converted it back to a points based system from an 045 (had the parts lying around..)

Got 3 056 mags in the store right now with bad ignitions...
 
i thought all the 056 models had the SEM ignition? i know the standard 056AV does.
 
NWCS said:
i thought all the 056 models had the SEM ignition? i know the standard 056AV does.
Click to expand...

They have either the Bosch or the SEM (the 1108 type I mentioned). The change to SEM occurred after serial number 114 038 763. Two different ignitions and flywheels... but, there has been a lot of swapping around over the years so serial number isn't the best guide - the 2 piece flywheel is Bosch and the single SEM. Most of the Mags I see are Bosch. The SEM is a heck of a lot more reliable...
 
Well how much are they asking for it? I love the 056. I've owned a standard, a Super and now a Mag II. To me, there's a mystique about them. I don't know why, but they just do. Wonderful saws all the way. I bought one in a pawn shop for $100 about a year ago.

Jeff
 
Andy:
Couldn't you use one of those aftermarket ignition modules to replace the stock ignition.
 
RES said:
Andy:
Couldn't you use one of those aftermarket ignition modules to replace the stock ignition.
Click to expand...


Nope... I wish it was that easy... It's has a internal combination coil/trigger system (inside the flywheel)....
 
Old Gold said:
I recently stumbled onto an older Stihl 056 Magnum II at a local pawnshop. The saw is in excellent condition and has been gone through completely. The saw runs great and shows no visual sign of abuse that anyone who runs saw can notice right off the bat. This saw would definitely meet all the requirements I have of a firewood saw. My only problem is, I don't really know anyone who has owned one. I don't know much about the model. I know the 056 is no longer manufactured, and it is high cubed/cc/hp saw. I would appreciate any insight into the 056 from former and current users, owners, etc. Thank you very much.
Click to expand...

As others have said, it is/was a great saw in it's day. It is also heavy as they said. Unless you are cutting really big stuff I think there are better, smaller choices for your purposes. I like the old iron (have a 041 well used and use it regularly) but my most used saws are more recent. You take a chance on parts such as the ignition that has been mentioned.

I wouldn't pay any premium prices.

Harry K
 
Question

Hello, is the TS350 using the same SEM flywheel and coil that would have gone in the 056? My Bosch coil has failed, and I want to get this saw going. Sorry to dig up such an old thread, but this had the closest content to what I was looking for. Thanks
:greenchainsaw:
 
Mine has a 20" bar on it and runs like a scalded cat. I wouldn't want to carry one around the woods, but for chunking out firewood it's great. Mine only has a couple issues, the tank gasket is shot but got one from cheapstihlparts. Also the middle section of the muffler was "modified" and rattles around and causes it to idle irratically but thankfully it is still available, and the on/off switch likes to work when it feels like it. I got it for 215$ put an air filter and new bar and chain and it's paid for itself. But I've got an 066 waiting to be fixed, and will probably sell the 056 when I get the 66 running.
 
BloodOnTheIce said:
Mine has a 20" bar on it and runs like a scalded cat. I wouldn't want to carry one around the woods, but for chunking out firewood it's great. Mine only has a couple issues, the tank gasket is shot but got one from cheapstihlparts. Also the middle section of the muffler was "modified" and rattles around and causes it to idle irratically but thankfully it is still available, and the on/off switch likes to work when it feels like it. I got it for 215$ put an air filter and new bar and chain and it's paid for itself. But I've got an 066 waiting to be fixed, and will probably sell the 056 when I get the 66 running.
Click to expand...

Great, but this doesn't answer my question
 
Yeah according to the parts lookup it shares the ignition with the TS 08, TS 350, 08 chainsaw, and BT 360. But yeah the TS350 ignition should work. Sorry I like to ramble about saws.
 
Last edited:
Spiderhole said:
Hello, is the TS350 using the same SEM flywheel and coil that would have gone in the 056? My Bosch coil has failed, and I want to get this saw going. Sorry to dig up such an old thread, but this had the closest content to what I was looking for. Thanks
:greenchainsaw:
Click to expand...

Hi Spiderhole I had exactly the same problem with my 056. The first thing to check is the earthing wire insulation especially where it enters the rear of the ignition module. Read Lakeside Andy's 056 rebuild thread for more details. My fix is shown in this thread : http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=62401&highlight=056+sem+ignition
Unfortunately the Ts350 flywheel will not fit. You have to get the 056 flywheel which I managed to find. Definately worth mending the 056 though,they are a great saw!!!
 

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