ramzilla
ArboristSite Guru
I was looking through the Stihl special tools catalog and wondered....what special tools do you guys find handy to have while wrenching on saws? I am always up for picking up new tools that will make life easier.
What's in your toolbox?
- Thread starter ramzilla
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xtremez
ArboristSite Guru
T27 torx small flat head tuning screw driver, piston ring tool, vacuum/pressure tester and compression tester. All can be had far cheaper that stihl prices if you shop around a little bit
ramzilla
ArboristSite Guru
I am a mechanic at Caterpillar for a living so I have all the basic things like that and "my" stihl prices are dirt cheap so I was wondering if there were any special tools you guys used often?
xtremez
ArboristSite Guru
One of the few stihl tools that are damn nice is a crank seal puller. I haven't had the opportunity to use too many of their tools
cedarshark
Addicted to ArboristSite
IMHO, there are only two that I consider "critical". The flywheel puller can be had on ebay for about $20, and will prevent damage to the flywheel by using alternate methods. The other is the crank seal puller but the cost is high($280) if you can even get a dealer to sell you one. The clutch side seals are not a problem..but the flywheel side is 
unless you have the OEM puller, especially on the small saws, like 026.
unless you have the OEM puller, especially on the small saws, like 026.
mad murdock
ArboristSite Guru
clutch removal tool.
bucknfeller
Opportunistic Hooligan
Long T handle T27 and the 4mm T handle are some of the tools I use most for saws. Never seen their tool catalog, but if you're making an order, see if they've got a set of ring compressors. I've been using zip ties, but they can be a PITA on the Stihls.
I have approx, last time weighed, 1637 .6 lbs of hand tools, not counting, electric, battery or pneumatic. The box alone weighs 300+ lbs.
cedarshark
Addicted to ArboristSite
I wish I lived close enough to you to borrow your 2 lb. Stihl seal puller....:msp_smile: Just every once in a while.
husqvarnaguy
Addicted to ArboristSite
Have you tried the ring compressor from baileys? It is only $10 and has worked great for me.View attachment 280309
Guido Salvage
Supreme Saw Whoreder
So does it take 2 or 3 people to lift it into the back of the truck?
I use those too. Works fine. I have the Stihl special tool catalog but their prices are crazy here...
$5 piston lock or rope not work well enough??? :msp_confused::msp_confused:
I can make tools on the fly when I need them so some things aren't too crucial for me (ie: flywheel pullers, seal pullers, aluminum&rubber exhaust port blocks, etc).
Necessities: T27 and 4mm (& 6mm?) allen tee handle, screw drivers, piston lock, compression guage, pass through spark tester, piston ring compressors $8.
Nice extras: vacuum/pressure guage, Wiha 8mm t-handle for carb nuts, 12v cordless impact for assemble and disassemble, flywheel gapper, small USC for carbs
That box never leaves the shop floor but if you feel strong sometime drop by. I will lift it up with one of the pieces of equipment kicking around and let you grab on it any way you like. If you can hold it up off the floor for 30 seconds its yours, tools included.....LOL
Those sets are all over eBay, many sponsors and eBay store fronts sell them also. They are worth every penny as far as I can see since I have two or more sets of them in my box.
If you have pulled as many seals as I have you wouldn`t bother with those factory Stihl seal pullers, far too slow and cumbersome to set up and play around with. I can have the seal out and replaced before a tech can even get that seal puller set up for use. 50 years of working at this stuff gives one a lot more insight into how things can be done in a more expedient manner. Does not mean that things have to be done in a rough or foolhardy manner, just means there there is always a better more efficient means of completing any task, mostly learned from working at the trade or if someone with more time in than you will show some of the, tricks, they have learned.
Fish
Tree Freak
My most used and beloved tools for chainsaws............Hemostats
Wiha t-27 and metric allen heads and 8mm thandle tools.
Not so worried about the pullers.
Wiha t-27 and metric allen heads and 8mm thandle tools.
Not so worried about the pullers.
Fish
Tree Freak
Dang! I thought I was old!!!!!
Yep,...I is old as dirt, won`t be long before I join it again and all the **** I learned coming up through the ranks will be gone with me. Many friends and acquaintances keep telling me to get this stuff written down on paper. I just tell them there is always someone else that knows all this and more.
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