Homelite 23av Powerstroke 38cc

[SwiftSaw]

Bought this saw second hand with no manual...Starts up and runs well, cuts well, got it cheap, blah blah blah...but I need some knowledge from someone who knows this saw or can tell me where to find some info...

--What fuel mixture do I use?
--About how old is this saw?
--How much is this saw worth?
--Where does this "rank" on the "totum pole" of chainsaws? Obviously it's not a Stihl, but...???
--Where can I find a manual for this and other chainsaws?

 

[eyolf]

Fuel mixture: I imagine this one was supposed to use 50:1.
I'd use 40:1 for a little extra margin, and use high quality oil, not the "suspect", no-name stuff. If you won't use the saw often, pay the money for those little quart cans of "40 fuel" (google it). It stays fresh for months, as opposed to (maybe) a couple of weeks, like with regular gas.

How old? could be a year or two, maybe up to about 8 years.
I think.

Worth? What's it worth to you to take care of a few little jobs now and then?

Today I brought some sackcrete home to mount in a tire changer in my shop. Cost me a little over $10, like paying $175 yard for readymix, that I'd still have to mix myself. But What would I do with the rest of the 3 yard minimum order?

I think you can find this model "reconditioned" (repackaged after Suzy homemaker decided it was too scary) for about $125.

Rank? most of the folks here go back and forth with each other over various "pro" models by the big names. By that, your little Homie ranks pretty low. My Step-dad's neighbor has one of these "plastic fantastics", and it has held up pretty well, has cut about 10 cords of firewood over the last 5 years. I think its about used up, but, back to the sackcrete story...it would have cost him 4 or 5 times the cost of the saw to have the wood delivered, and even more to have storm damaged trees cut up for firewood.

Use your little saw until its used up, never look back. Its a tool.

 

[SwiftSaw]

"40 Fuel"...I'll remember that one; never heard of it...

I only ask how much it's worth because I want to re-sell it. I already have use of (though I don't own) a Stihl; and I just bought an Echo, an old McCulloch and an electric Craftsman along with this Homelite, all second-hand, all in a package deal. I didn't think much of the Homelite--I think Fisher Price might make a better saw--so I thought I'd get rid of it now before I have problems.

 

[lesorubcheek]

Homelites definitely outnumber other saws at our house, but one saw you won't see is a 23av. I'll second the Fisher Price quality reference. Never considered these later model plastic saws real Homelites. Probably a good move to get rid of it. You may get $20 to $50 if it looks and runs good.

Dan

 

[SwiftSaw]

$20 to $50?...That's disappointing...Piece of crap...It's already leaking bar oil I've noticed...And I mean as it sits unused in its case.

So you know a thing or two about Homelites? I have one from the mid 1960's that belonged to my great-grandfather. I have some questions regarding that one, too.

 

[lawnmowertech37]

that sounds like them ranger series to me and yes they are plastic

the handle breaks easily

that one you have from the 60s could be a zip or a xl series or another series and yes that one is a true Homelite and believe it or not parts are still around for them saws

 

[SwiftSaw]

Yep, it's marked "XL-12...Lightest saw in the Famous XL Series", or some such thing. (Don't know that I could handle the heaviest.)...I think Grandpa told me it was made in '64; could be wrong...I cranked it up and trimmed a few low limbs with it about three years ago and it ran just fine.

 

[lawnmowertech37]

Yep, it's marked "XL-12...Lightest saw in the Famous XL Series", or some such thing. (Don't know that I could handle the heaviest.)...I think Grandpa told me it was made in '64; could be wrong...I cranked it up and trimmed a few low limbs with it about three years ago and it ran just fine.

yea xl 12 were a popular series alot of them still around tooo


its sister the sxlao is alot around also

 

[lesorubcheek]

Yep, XL-12s and super Xls are like tanks. Homelite made tons of them. SXLs were still manufactured even in the late 80s/ maybe early 90s, and virtually unchanged from the original design except for things like electronic ignition and a few other minor details. Like Calvin said, there's lots still in use and parts are still available.

Dan

 

[SwiftSaw]

Good to know...I'd like to keep running it some here and there and so I'll need to find parts somewhere sooner or later.

Biggest problem with running it is getting my hearing protection geared up: ear plugs and ear muffs and then two dense foam pillows gorilla-taped to the sides of my head ala Princess Leia.