Is there a saw you never want to see again?

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purdyite

purdyite

ArboristSite Operative
AS Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
258
Location
Oklahoma
Got an 019T that had been sitting in water in the back of a pickup. Decided it was to be a "learning" saw. I "learned" that the design was a nightmare, agree with all the comments here on it! But--did get it running, it starts and cuts well, ironically I don't want to chuck it just yet. Still the worst I have ever used.
 
vizette

vizette

I can fix that...
. AS Supporting Member.
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
340
Location
NoVA
Poulan PP4218 and PP3618.

I does not matter what you do to these junk piles, they will not run right, and they will not hold a tune out of box.

This. I've never met a PP that I even remotely liked for exactly these reasons. I always feel like the "pro" part is an inside joke, because I'd take a wild thing all day long over any PP.
 
ken morgan
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
1,905
Location
yokosuka, Japan
This. I've never met a PP that I even remotely liked for exactly these reasons. I always feel like the "pro" part is an inside joke, because I'd take a wild thing all day long over any PP.
yeah poulan pros are what sent me into the wilderness looking at other brands...
 
Old2stroke

Old2stroke

Never too many toys
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Joined
Jan 24, 2016
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1,552
Location
Ottawa, Canada
This. I've never met a PP that I even remotely liked for exactly these reasons. I always feel like the "pro" part is an inside joke, because I'd take a wild thing all day long over any PP.
Many people feel the same way and it seems to have something to do with all the PP's being strato saws and claims that they don't hold their tune for any length of time, mainly the idle setting that won't stay right. I haven't found them to be that temperamental and I work on a LOT of them, the PP5020 is the only one at this time that I have a hate on for and it actually performs well once you get the damn thing started.
 
vizette

vizette

I can fix that...
. AS Supporting Member.
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
340
Location
NoVA
Many people feel the same way and it seems to have something to do with all the PP's being strato saws and claims that they don't hold their tune for any length of time, mainly the idle setting that won't stay right. I haven't found them to be that temperamental and I work on a LOT of them, the PP5020 is the only one at this time that I have a hate on for and it actually performs well once you get the damn thing started.

Keep "poulan", it'll start! 😄

I had a 5020 for a bit, it was the most likeable of the PPs I've repaired/rebuilt/run. Did a reasonable job cutting up some sizeable oak. Was still glad to sell it off.
 
a. palmer jr.
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
15,251
Location
Southern Indiana
Homelite 330. Engineering nightmare. Max.
It seems they keep destroying the intake boot I guess because of the weak engine mounts. Every 330 I used to get required a new boot. I haven't had one for several years now. I have a little Poulan saw, I think it's a Craftsman, that I kinda like to use. I took the safety chain off (pictured) and put a real chain on it.
 

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AoxoMoxoA

AoxoMoxoA

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Joined
Oct 8, 2022
Messages
31
Location
New England
I have a few, but overwhelming a stihl 015L. Just hate them.
Curious as to what makes you hate the 015? I quite like them.

I have one, and have rebuilt a couple others, and find them to be fairly easy to work on, and strong little runners. Just finished this one for a buddy of mine which he found sitting in a milk crate outside a shed, (owner said for at least 15-years) at an estate sale... He got it for $5, and I did a carb rebuild, new piston ring, crank seals, a new fuel line and oil line — about $35 in parts into it.

Runs like a champ!

IMG_6034.jpg
 
kjw58

kjw58

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
14
Location
s.e.michigan
I started out with Poulan saws mainly because that’s what my dad had and I used them for many years and I still have the original 3400 that I bought new in spring of 1981. I’ve since moved on to other makes, mainly Stihl pro saws. When I run one of my Stihl 261’s I cannot believe that I spent all that time working on the old Poulan when I could have been cutting wood ! The air filter on those old saws would plug up every day. The Stihl 261 is the best all around saw I’ve ever owned. I kick myself now thinking back to all the time I spent working on those old junk saws.
 
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