Danged Interruptions!

A couple years ago a friend gave me two old blue and one red XL12 that were basically history. I tore them down and was watching for a piston, wound up getting another saw with a decent piston - OK, you can always use extra parts.

Well, I finally got the urge to start on a restoration and about halfway through, my chainsaw buddy called to see if I wanted a big old Homelite he had taken on trade for some chain work. He said it was in pretty bad shape but thought I might be interested. Nuts, just as I get moving on the XL12, an interruption!

Here's what he had. Hole in the front of the fuel tank, bent handle, Notice the artfully crafted choke control. Turns out it was a 1050. More spare parts for the one I have. Then I remembered I had bought an extra fuel tank some time ago hmmmm....I suddenly found my self almost forgetting about the XL12.









More photos in the next post.

Ok, I thought, I can get this running in no time. So I began disasembly. Pretty well fouled but overall it didn't look like it had run that much. Except for a lot of carbon, the piston and cylinder were pristine. Compression was 165. No pressure or vac leaks. I was getting excited! I was going to have to come up with something for the choke control. I wonder how close the XL 12 control was -I did have extras. That's the SDC carb with the fixed H jet.

Looking good...

That series of Homelite saws is a very good one.

I eventually got all the crud cleaned off. Pulled the jug and de-carbonized it and the piston. Stripped all the parts and did my good old rattle can job followed by clear Polyurethane. I did something different this time. Instead of waiting several days for the color coat to cure, I sprayed the urethane as the final coat while the color was still wet. Seemed to work fine and no lifting. I didn't have to wait as long to reasemble.

Now for the choke. The hole in the carb lever was a lot bigger than the rod on the XL12 control and it needed to be about 2" longer. Why not make an extension for the XL12 control? the plastic knob was the correct size. Now, what to use? A 16p nail seemed about right. All I had to do was bore out one end to fit the XL12 contol rod and bend the other end and drill a hole for a small cotter pin. Stick the two pieces together with a touch of brass and I'm all set.

So here's the finished product. This is a little later model than my first 1050, so the decals are slighly different. Started on the 5th pull. I haven't cut with it yet. I'm still looking for a muffler cover (hint-hint)

nice job. it makes my fingers tingle just to think about it.

Oh yeah, finally got the XL12 done too! Part way in to these, I found one was the older style with the fixed filter in the fuel tank - that's the one I used.
I had to use a newer style cylinder that has an extra hole for the three bolt muffler. I like those big squishy bicycle grips too. I install them with golf club grip tape to make sure they stay in place. Not as good as AV springs but that foam takes some of the rattle out. I will try to get videos of these running soon.

Especially nice. Like the handlebar idea too.

nice 12. here is a pic of mine with the original finish, except for the flames!!!
i suspect the case was cracked and replaced with a spare from one of the red editions. i have thought of replacing it with the original color, but it really doesn't look too out of place.

Very nice job. They both look great.

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Buzz, the saws are magnificent !!!


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Nice job, Saws look like new.

great job

Ive seen new that did not look that good!!!

that was pretty cool you friction welded the nail to the control rep sent

nmurph said:

nice 12. here is a pic of mine with the original finish, except for the flames!!!
i suspect the case was cracked and replaced with a spare from one of the red editions. i have thought of replacing it with the original color, but it really doesn't look too out of place.

Click to expand...

That's NICE! I see I got the decals in the right place. Did you have to grind clearance in the crankcase cover for the fuel line?

The blue I used was a stock high temp coating from an autoparts store. As a friend once said, "it's good enough for who it's for".

I believe there were two shades of blue used - maybe one was on the Super XL?

wvlogger said:

that was pretty cool you friction welded the nail to the control rep sent

Click to expand...

Thanks for the rep. I actually brazed the two together. Not one of my better brazing jobs but it holds.

Nice job, you got a couple of really nice Homelites now!

I love seeing the old saws restored, I need more time to do a few more.

Beautiful work. I really like your idea of spraying the poly on as a top coat while the color was still wet. You have some serious skills.

Really awesome job on both the saws. . I read where you mentioned the blue paint, but didn't see if you mentioned what type red paint you used on the 1050. Did you get a match from a paint shop, or is it Chrysler red or ??? Again, killer job on both!

Dan

Two more great jobs Dave. You are an inspiration.