Porting a Chinese G621 Clone

[weedkilla]

Like many others, this saw wouldn't be my choice, but I can't see the difference between this and a rebuilt name brand saw with an AM top end, carby, etcetera.
Read a thread on a BB kitted dolmar and then this one and the consensus of opinion is markedly different.

 

[Chris-PA]

Wow, I cant believe the hate towards this project. Why don't we cheer the guy on instead of tearing him down. If he didn't spend your money what is it to you. He did everyone a favor since we now know who could buy one of these (someone with shop skills) and who should completely avoid them. I'm not sure anyone is even promoting these saws, but someone has given us the good, the bad, and the ugly; without costing us a dime!

Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk

Thank you, and welcome. Lots of guys buy saws because they enjoy using them, working on them, modifying them and talking about them. They can be new or old, cheap or expensive, there is something of common interest to discuss.

Some guys buy expensive saws (and other things too) as a way to increase their social cred, and a thread about something that is inexpensive makes them feel threatened because they think their investment is devalued by equating their expensive toys to cheap ones. So then they get upset.

So just for the record, this cheap Chinese saw is not as good as an expensive Husky or Stihl, and no one ever implied it is. So relax.

 

[motorman1]

Done many rebuilt saws with AM cylinders and pistons. For starters they don't need any "massaging", other than maybe de-burring the new cylinder / or piston. The rest of the saws are good to go.

FWIW, my saw expenditures are over many decades and every one of them has been used for years, not hours. Again, I value what you've spent on the Chicom saw. I don't own any saw dealership, but have used and repaired many different brands of saws. You want to see what a saw can do in the worst condition? See what a saw looks like after cutting burned forrest wood, most over 35", all day and into the night. That's right, the forest surrounding Yosemite has been logged for the past 3 months. It's not been logged for at least 75+ years, or so. Big / huge wood coming out of there!

Been around the business awhile and have seen a few things, believe it, or not.

 

[Chris-PA]

Done many rebuilt saws with AM cylinders and pistons. For starters they don't need any "massaging", other than maybe de-burring the new cylinder / or piston. The rest of the saws are good to go.

All I did to this cylinder was a little de-burring along the edge of the transfers, plus remove a tiny bit of junk on the floor of the exhaust port that wouldn't have mattered in the least (i.e. cosmetic). I also modified the intake port, but that was not due to any defect, rather it was the porting part of the thread. So it sounds like this piece of junk is equivalent to the AM cylinders you've used. I'm astounded you would use such a piece of ****.

You want to see what a saw can do in the worst condition? See what a saw looks like after cutting burned forrest wood, most over 35", all day and into the night. That's right, the forest surrounding Yosemite has been logged for the past 3 months. It's not been logged for at least 75+ years, or so. Big / huge wood coming out of there!

Now what idiot would attempt to run a $200 62cc Chinese saw all day and into the night in the worst conditions (burned) cutting big/huge wood that hasn't been logged for at least 75+ years? And where in this thread do you find that I suggested that would be an appropriate use for this saw? Honestly, are you just out to prove you have the biggest bar?

 

[Terry Syd]

Chris, you mentioned that they sold a 72cc version of this saw in Oz. Is this the saw you were referring to - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/72CC-24-...41?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item20c5078129

They list the weight as 7 kilos, so it may be built on a different chassis. It does appear to have the same CDI system.

 

[Chris-PA]

Chris, you mentioned that they sold a 72cc version of this saw in Oz. Is this the saw you were referring to - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/72CC-24-...41?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item20c5078129

They list the weight as 7 kilos, so it may be built on a different chassis. It does appear to have the same CDI system.

Yeah Terry, that's definitely the same saw but with a different styled starter. I had seen it some time ago an could not remember the name. Even the "tool kit" is identical, and the bar and chain look to be as well. The 62cc is sold as a Topsun saw with different plastics/covers, but I think it is the same basic saw too.

I did not know what to expect of the weight given the various specs out there, including the ones for the RedMax and Green Machine saws on Acres. I certainly never expected it to be as light as it is, especially as I figure those are probably not mag castings.

 

[james archibald]

Pass the Swede/Crout saws and hold the BS. I'll put my hard earned money into non-chink ****.

 

[Terry Syd]

Too bad I already have a bucking saw, for that price (US$170) I'd buy one and fix it up. If it was a 12.5 lbs powerhead, it'd probably be a bit easier on my back.

 

[motorman1]

I get the purpose of this thread and again, I thank you. I guess I just can't wrap my head around why anyone would want to spend $200 on a 62cc saw, which has to be torn down and worked on before they're even run. You believe the saw you described, with the questionable bar and chain and poor fitting plastics and factory defective filter is really worth $200? If you didn't have the money and were in dire need of a 60cc saw, you could do a whole lot better with a used saw. And no, I don't need to actually hold or run that Chi-com POS to know that. Now, if you could get that same saw for around $40, and get someone to throw in a real bar and chain, that might be different.

My guess is if the thing is still running after it's first tank, and if the chain hasn't come apart and injured someone, you'll be spending at least another $60-$65 on a GOOD bar and chain. Making your initial investment around $275 for a tool, that according to your postings, doesn't seem very capable, unless of course, you only intended to start it up a couple of times in the garage. Again, If it was only $40, or so, different story.

BTW, the AM parts I have had to clean up were being put on "dead" saws, not new ones like yours.

 

[Chris-PA]

I get the purpose of this thread and again, I thank you. I guess I just can't wrap my head around why anyone would want to spend $200 on a 62cc saw, which has to be torn down and worked on before they're even run. You believe the saw you described, with the questionable bar and chain and poor fitting plastics and factory defective filter is really worth $200? If you didn't have the money and were in dire need of a 60cc saw, you could do a whole lot better with a used saw. And no, I don't need to actually hold or run that Chi-com POS to know that. Now, if you could get that same saw for around $40, and get someone to throw in a real bar and chain, that might be different.

My guess is if the thing is still running after it's first tank, and if the chain hasn't come apart and injured someone, you'll be spending at least another $60-$65 on a GOOD bar and chain. Making your initial investment around $275 for a tool, that according to your postings, doesn't seem very capable, unless of course, you only intended to start it up a couple of times in the garage. Again, If it was only $40, or so, different story.

BTW, the AM parts I have had to clean up were being put on "dead" saws, not new ones like yours.

As documented, the "torn apart and worked on" part took an evening and part of a day doing work I enjoy (helping to stave off cabin fever) - TOTAL. And that included optional work like cleaning things up for cosmetic reasons, measuring timing, taking pictures and grinding the intake port. As stated, B&C never mattered much to me at all and I never expected much of them. I've got other bars and chains hanging in the barn that will fit, which was part of the decision to buy it. My cost will not be $275.

The saw is a faithful copy of a G621AV, which is a saw I've liked for some time. So it has all the characteristics of that saw - are you familiar with that design? What other $210 62cc saw could I get that would not need to be torn down, with as least as much time invested, plus probably new parts?

If it doesn't fail, and I doubt it will given past experience with the Earthquakes and my own mechanical judgment, then why do you think I got ripped off? Especially since I had a good understanding of exactly what I was getting?

The saw runs, and runs quite well. You are SURE it will fail, and in just a few tanks too. If it doesn't, would your opinion of it be changed?

The AM parts you bought and used were of similar source and quality to this saw. Why didn't you buy OEM?

 

[spike60]

One of the reasons I did this was to see what the situation really was. I don't disagree with your comments in principal, but you've overplayed it a little bit as the only actual failure was the oil pump line.

But as I said, if someone bought this to use as-is with no skills they would have made a mistake, I have no doubt about that. For one of us it's a fun saw kit and putting it together right only took a couple of hours of easy and enjoyable work. It's exactly the winter project I was looking for to distract from cabin fever. Given my experience with the Earthquake and looking at the mechanical construction I am really not much concerned about it grenading. I still have not spent any more than $210 and I now have quite a nice saw, as it is a copy of a very nice (if a bit obscure) RedMax. It is not a saw to show off to one's friends and make one feel good about their position in life, but it is a decently light and powerful 62cc chainsaw and I expect it will cut some wood. I intend to do just that with it and will see how it holds up.

I think that the "better results" you mention are mostly social and emotional things. How is it really any different than starting with a used saw that you know will need new parts

You make some fair points Cris. We certainly seem to agree that this isn't a saw that Joe Average could just take out of the box as is and go to the woods without being seriously disappointed. And that was really my main point. Being a dealer, if I sold something with that many issues, new or used, I'd have one unhappy customer on my hands. That was primarily the perspective from which I was posting. No matter what people pay for something, they expect that it will work. And out of the box, this thing falls short of that expectation. And for $210 there are saws out there that will actually work out of the box. And the other thing that will be in that box is a warranty statement.

But as a fun project/fight the cabin fever, why not? In that sense, it's not that different from resurecting a dead saw that's been in a barn for 30 years. And you don't have any crud to clean off. And with your interest in the EQ's, taking a look at one of these 62cc saws is a logical step. I'm also a Red Max dealer and not unfamiliar with the 621 that they are basing these things on. If they would use better materials, the design is at least sound.

Where I mentioned that better results could be realized with a quality used saw, it was not based on social/emotional reasons. It was on the basis that in most cases you would be working with a better foundation and the end result would therefore be a better saw. For example a guy finds a 257 Husky or 038 Stihl in need of a piston and some TLC. He'd end up with a good saw and have continued parts support available as well.

Gotta add here for everybody that on a site like this, whether you like the saw or not, or it's origin, this thread is informative and it let's all of us take a close look at something most of have never seen. So it's cool that Chris is sharing the whole thing with us.

 

[roncoinc]

Hey Chris,,,good on ya for this one.

Seems a couple of the hard hitters with less than three weeks here seem to have it all figured out,even after never owning a chinee saw

Not enough time for me or enough post's to have established any credability,,,so opionoins worthless ,i would even respond to them

You should discuss it with people you know have something worthwhile to listen too.

 

[LegDeLimber]

Mercy Sakes, Is that actually one of those elusive Carburetor Adjusting Tools in the kit !??!
UUUNN-like the other brands mentioned.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODAwWDgwMA==/z/yvQAAOxy3NBSm86q/$_57.JPG

Well throw another saw on the barby mates.
Soon as I can finish stripping some more of my copper wire
I'm gonna buy me a ticket on the next refugee boat to 'Roo-land!

 

[Chris-PA]

Mercy Sakes, Is that actually one of those elusive Carburetor Adjusting Tools in the kit !??!

Nah, it's got straight slot screws. Normally I don't like them, but this has a nice nylon fitting that aligns the screwdriver perfectly.

Is this the saw you were referring to - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/72CC-24-...41?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item20c5078129

I was just looking at the pictures there, and I noticed something - there is an inner bar plate there, and mine does not have it.

Apparently they just left it off. So I went to RedMax and ordered the inner bar plate and a bunch of small parts - air filter cover screw, A/V mount caps, a throttle rod, etc. The total was $29 with shipping. So now my total investment is $239. The bar plate was only like $2.

 

[LegDeLimber]

Might be "old school" but it's still a carb tool [? just ask the EPA]
and nonetheless now verboten for us yanks. ( insert smiley here)
edit: and Yeah I wish we'd have had the spline head screws 30 years ago too.
way easier to use the tool for 'em!!

 

[VINIFIREWOOD]

As documented, the "torn apart and worked on" part took an evening and part of a day doing work I enjoy (helping to stave off cabin fever) - TOTAL. And that included optional work like cleaning things up for cosmetic reasons, measuring timing, taking pictures and grinding the intake port. As stated, B&C never mattered much to me at all and I never expected much of them. I've got other bars and chains hanging in the barn that will fit, which was part of the decision to buy it. My cost will not be $275.

The saw is a faithful copy of a G621AV, which is a saw I've liked for some time. So it has all the characteristics of that saw - are you familiar with that design? What other $210 62cc saw could I get that would not need to be torn down, with as least as much time invested, plus probably new parts?

If it doesn't fail, and I doubt it will given past experience with the Earthquakes and my own mechanical judgment, then why do you think I got ripped off? Especially since I had a good understanding of exactly what I was getting?

The saw runs, and runs quite well. You are SURE it will fail, and in just a few tanks too. If it doesn't, would your opinion of it be changed?

The AM parts you bought and used were of similar source and quality to this saw. Why didn't you buy OEM?

No need to explain yourself Chris. Its your money, do with it what you like. Who are any of us to tell you what to do with it. And a big thumbs up for sharing it all with us.

When you are finished "massaging" this thing I could see it running along side other "Homeowner/Landowner" class saws for a lot less money.

I think a lot of people have a hard on for chinese anything because it doesn't fit their "made in america" attitude. Really what is made in america anymore? I own a GMC pickup that was assembled in Canada and who knows where the rest of it was actually made. I know the engine was made by Isuzu (duramax). I also own a Toyota that was assembled right here in the US. So really how does one define "Made in America" these days. We surely don't have an option anymore when it comes to chainsaws.

 

[Chris-PA]

that is some funny stuff. My 52cc chicom saw from Canada came with that same tool kit. The quality of those tools make the saw itself look like a extremely high caliber piece of work. The screwdriver/wrench is made of some kind of metal that is slightly softer than lead or pewter. For giggles I tried to remove the spark plug with it. The handle bent 90 degrees just before the wrench completely rounded and turned back into the lead pipe it was stamped from. There must be some Chinese factory owner just laughing his ass off with every shipment. I can't imagine what it would be like as a factory worker producing tools that are completely worthless. It would make one aspire to get a job in a chain saw factory.

I actually removed the plug and removed/installed the bar with the scrench that came with mine. OK, now I can say I did it and put that thing off to the side where it belongs! Did you have enough guts to put fuel in that fuel bottle? Funny thing is, that semi-metallic screwdriver doesn't actually fit anything on this saw, and will not fit in the holes to adjust the carb!

 

[Jlhotstick3]

I kinda wanna see this thing run...... Nice write up!

 

[redfin]

Thanks for the thread Chris.

 

[motorman1]

My apologies If I got a little testy on this thread. I really, truly enjoyed it. Great job and thanks for sharing. Please make a few videos and give your opinion as to whether or not the saw performs as well as a 62cc saw should. I'm curious to find out if it makes the power. I've read the 090/070 Chicom clones run fine, but don't produce nearly the power of the real ones.