How to fix a broken-running Homelite

[petersenj20]

Funny thing happened yesterday. My neighbor called me to see if I could look at his dads saw. It's the first saw anyone has ever asked me to work on that actually runs. WOW!

The chain brake is not releasing all the way. If you manually pull the brake handle back it will allow the clutch to turn. I told him duct tape would fix it but what do I know. There is nothing broken or missing.

My thought is the brake band itself acts as a spring forcing itself open, once the lock is released. Is this true? Or is there maybe a return spring missing I don't know about?

The saw is a Homelite d4550b.

 

[Jed1124]

Funny,same thing happened to a Homelite I have. I used wire ties to keep the handle back. I think the brake band is permanently built into the brake handle but I could be wrong. Throw away saws are not fun to fix!!

 

[petersenj20]

Wire tying circumvents the bar brake. Good or bad, not a proper fix.
The band is replaceable. I took it out just to see.