Stihl quality over the years?

[wigglesworth]

I just took my garbage man freebie 031 down, and man the quality going on inside is FAR better than the quality in my 460. The the transfers are nearly smooth inside vs my 460 looked very rough. I also noticed that TW's work builds were rough in stock form also. Everything inside the 031 looked much better than the 460 such as case half alignment, cylinder mating surface, piston machining. Its no wonder these things lasted so long. I also noticed that it has a dome piston. Why did they quit doing that? Seems a good way to up compression with very little cost. SO... no biggie just an afternoon observation.

 

[2dogs]

I'm not a saw wrench so I can't answer your question directly. I can say that I have no trouble with my newer generation saws. Also they are much lighter and have faster chain speed over the old models.

My toy is a 1950 Jeep CJ-3A that has been in the family since 1968 so I appreciate old time things. But when it comes to working tools I like what performs best and that means newer products for me. Though if you were to give me an 076 I wouldn't turn it down.

 

[Javelin]

This is true with a lot of old manufactures! The old stuff that they built there rep on is very good and then they coast for awhile and back to good again! Not saying that it is bad it is just a quality control thing!

 

[wigglesworth]

I am definitely not bashing the new, I have no complaints with my 460, but it is obvious the difference, even to a newbie like me.

 

[troutfisher]

I think quality has improved a bit. Stihl is starting to use steel springs instead of the old rubber mounts, quick remove covers, less weight. The new saws are turning a lot faster than the old stuff too.

 

[joatmon]

I just took my garbage man freebie 031 down, and man the quality going on inside is FAR better than the quality in my 460. The the transfers are nearly smooth inside vs my 460 looked very rough. I also noticed that TW's work builds were rough in stock form also. Everything inside the 031 looked much better than the 460 such as case half alignment, cylinder mating surface, piston machining. Its no wonder these things lasted so long. I also noticed that it has a dome piston. Why did they quit doing that? Seems a good way to up compression with very little cost. SO... no biggie just an afternoon observation.

Wiggles, for what it worth consider:

How many hours did the average man, not that you're average, have to work to buy a new 031 in its day?

How many hours did the average man, I've just received a PM indicating that you are indeed average, have to work to buy a new 460 today?

Therein lies a clue as to why a few things are not as in the old days?

Happy sawin',

Joat

 

[wigglesworth]

I've just received a PM indicating that you are indeed average

huh?

 

[joatmon]

huh?

Double W,

Just a little levity.

My point remains that against fixed dollars, such as the consumer price index, saw prices are a bargain today. Something has to go. Perhaps a little machining labor is where some of it is.

No offense intended,

Joat

 

[mattinky]

I'm not a saw wrench so I can't answer your question directly. I can say that I have no trouble with my newer generation saws. Also they are much lighter and have faster chain speed over the old models.

My toy is a 1950 Jeep CJ-3A that has been in the family since 1968 so I appreciate old time things. But when it comes to working tools I like what performs best and that means newer products for me. Though if you were to give me an 076 I wouldn't turn it down.

I used to have a '54 CJ-3B...I miss it so! It's the one thing I've sold that I wish I would have kept.

 

[wigglesworth]

none taken, just confused. now Now you made me have to look up the word Levity.

 

[stihlboy]

i have said this before and i will say it again ''they dont build 'em like they used too'' heck look at sears i bet my 1959 geardrive will have cut more wood in its time than any current crapsman could in its

 

[wigglesworth]

Even though, the 031 ports are smooth, but show no signs of being worked, so this must be how they came out of the mold. I am not trying to say I know anything about molding, or saws in general for that matter, but i would assume that they are made now the same way they were back then. Its funny how now we all have to "smooth the transfers" but then they came "smooth". At least mine is. Again, not trying to start a "bashing stihl thread", just some thoughts from an apparent CAD sufferer.

 

[resotek]

wiggles... In all probability, and I do not know for sure, they are not made the same now as then. That's part of cutting costs. The manufacturing industry has seen tremendous "improvements" in manufacturing techniques and that generally means reducing cost. This is true of casting, machining, welding, finishing, and everything in between. It's very likely that way back when someone had the job of polishing the rough castings on your 031. The molding processes are better now and it probably got to the point that paying the polisher no longer made sense. Sure, it's rougher and doesn't flow as nicely as the old, but it meets specification and costs less. They don't "make 'em like they used to" literally in most industries anymore. It's very sad to me.

-Mel

 

[Lakeside53]

If anything, the Stihl quality is better, the saws last longer and have less problems...

031, 041 and 56 bascially ran until they vibrated all the bolts out. Doesn't happen now... lower vibration, better fasterners...

Bearings no longer don't spin out the casings ...

Castings once cracked all the time.... rare now...

As for smoother ports... it's not a measure of quality at all. Now they know how to design cylinders where this just doesn't matter. You still get the rated power. Marhle made Stihl cylinders, now and way back then..


Just polish up all the ports and reassemble a saw. Can you tell the difference? I did this on a 2001 066... I couldn't tell..

 

[Tree Sling'r]

Older Stihl cylinders look nearly flawless inside the ports, many of the new ones look horrible, filled with castling marks and unwanted lips.

 

[ShoerFast]

we could guess that casting is done differentially now compared to then.

Just guessing but some type of green-sand cast now compared to a wax-cast then.

I am sure it has effected the price by process, but they also know a lot more about how the air flows now, in some instances, porosity can improve laminar flows if that is what he engine-er wanted?

Just take a look down the intake boot of a 660 for example, it is anything but a smooth straight shot down the boot.

 

[K9-Handler]

I used to have a '54 CJ-3B...I miss it so! It's the one thing I've sold that I wish I would have kept.

It must have been a good era. I learned to drive in a '53 Willys (Jeep) station wagon.
It had the optional Hurricane 6 (overhead valves!) rated at a whopping 75 hp.
I'm sure glad they don't make 'em like they used to!

BTW, I had a chance to buy back my old Jeep last year -- and declined.

 

[Fastcast]

My point remains that against fixed dollars, such as the consumer price index, saw prices are a bargain today.
Joat

Joat, the modern day CPI has lost its soul, just like those new Stihls.....Today the CPI is just some magical numbers pulled out of a black hat, by some crooks, to mislead the masses.

 

[joatmon]

Joat, the modern day CPI has lost its soul, just like those new Stihls.....Today the CPI is just some magical numbers pulled out of a black hat, by some crooks, to mislead the masses.

FC,

Well, pardon my poor example as it relates to the present day. I still maintain that a weeks average wage/salary buys more saw in the present era, say, the last four or five years, than it bought twenty or thirty years ago.

As far as Stihls losing their soul, the measure of which is surely qualitative, therefore, we can certainly not put the issue to rest. I suppose it's like Harleys where if they shake the pelvis enough, and satisfaction is not being achieved elsewhere, a big saw or motorcycle may be the best one can do. Pity.

Joat

 

[Zodiac45]

If anything, the Stihl quality is better, the saws last longer and have less problems...

031, 041 and 56 bascially ran until they vibrated all the bolts out. Doesn't happen now... lower vibration, better fasterners...

Bearings no longer don't spin out the casings ...

Castings once cracked all the time.... rare now...

As for smoother ports... it's not a measure of quality at all. Now they know how to design cylinders where this just doesn't matter. You still get the rated power. Marhle made Stihl cylinders, now and way back then..


Just polish up all the ports and reassemble a saw. Can you tell the difference? I did this on a 2001 066... I couldn't tell..

Andy,
I'm not being obtuse but if bearings no longer "don't" spin out the casings then they were good bearings too begin with. Yeah I guess I am being obtuse