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Two defective Chinese carbs in a row? Seems unlikely, until you consider that we bought the cheapest carbs from the most disreputable vendors. By the way, the saw just ran for another hour; one more dull chain, next chain put on, and back into the forest with it. Death to all trees!

So we've had a Stihl 026 at home, since 1996. While we are not professionals, we do a lot of amateur tree work (many hours per week), and the 026 has been our main workhorse. About half a year ago, it got very sick, and our son (who is also the 2-stroke mechanic) couldn't get it to run reliably...

Absolutely, forgot to mention that if the gas has no oil in it, that will destroy the piston in a few minutes.

First, check whether the air filter is in good shape (not torn, correctly attached). If it isn't, then you already know what the problem was, and the damage is probably just cylinder and piston. If you are willing to go with an after-market (meaning: Chinese made) cylinder and piston, it can be...

I don't understand all the chemistry. Here are a few factors. First, gasoline is a wild mix of all manner of chemicals. In the old days, it contained lots of benzene (thence the name!), which is nastily carcinogenic, but today that's removed and regulated. Instead, it contains mostly branched...

Actually, having a pressure gauge somewhere in the hydraulic system is a great idea. Our Terex digger derrick has one built in at the control chair, and it really helps get a feeling for the machine, and diagnosing issues.

Hydraulic fluid level? Not enough fluid to fill both cylinders?

In the old days, used motor oil was commonly substituted for bar oil. Obviously from a health (metals) and environment viewpoint, a horribly bad idea, but it works fine and is cheap (usually free). I think this just demonstrates that you don't have to be picky.

Whatever it says in the manual. If you don't care about the high voltage isolation (non-conductive), pretty much anything of the correct weight (32 or 46) will do. I run Sinopec AW46 in our Terex 45-foot digger derrick; not because it's particularly good or bad, but because we inherited a...

6" diameter vents are available at Scotts Valley Sprinkler (who are suddenly helpful and reasonably priced, now that Scarborough took them over), and from Jeff at Make-A-Buck-Tanks in San Jose. I've heard horror stories of what happens when a fire engine hooks up to a 4" line and hydrant, starts...

I few questions about the use of rim sprockets. I know all of their advantages over spur sprockets, and most of my chainsaws use them. First: As far as the sprocket is concerned, is there a difference between using regular 3/8 pitch chain, and low-profile 3/8 chain? I have a saw that is...

Warning: Amateur ahead! I have two Stihl machines that are giving me engine trouble: An FS86 trimmer, and a BR400 blower (I also have a host of other 2-stroke machines, some of which get even more use, and all of them are fine). They are the same age, about 16 years, and both get serious...

There are 3 or 4 sponsors or regular posters here who do sell Dolmar chainsaws. Maybe not exactly "online", but a phone call and a credit card number will get you one. Guess where the 7900 in my shop (that has only been there for 2 weeks) came from? If you can find a local dealer who is...

Has someone considered calling Husky tech support, and asking them to escalate the question to engineering? One would think that the manufacturer would love to make sure that their saws run right, and hitting the rev limiter at 9600 sounds very unusual, and would probably turn a lot of people...

In California, all gas that is sold to be used street-legal has to be oxygenated. And since MTBE (the more benign oxygenator) is now illegal here, all street gas will have about 10% ethanol, like it or not. One thing: Engines need to be retuned. Bigger deal: ethanol dries out many "rubbery"...

+1 on "Thanks for good chainsaw advice" For years now, I've been mostly cutting with a Stihl 026, with an Echo 3400 for little stuff and limbing. I've borrowed a neighbors Husky 372, and once used another friends Stihl 066. This year, I decided that with sudden-oak-death there are enough...

Definitely brake on when cold-starting a saw. When warm-starting it, I don't do it (probably should). While cutting: As long as I'm holding the saw solidly with two hands, and not moving ***much***, I leave the brake off. This means if I'm limbing by walking along the trunk, I leave it off...

Chaps good. In hot climates (California in the summer), they get to be terribly annoying. I like helmet and mesh faceshield. Helmet is not only for kickback, but also because little things (like branches) can go flying when felling. When cutting all day long, I prefer ear plugs over ear...

Drop start in the sense of: Hold saw handle with one hand, hold starter rope with the other hand, swing the saw down while holding on to it? Always. Drop start in the sense of: Hold the starter rope with one hand, completely let go of the saw, fling the saw away from you, the rewind spring on...

So what is the width of the groove supposed to be? And how accurately do the width of the side rails have to match? Concrete example: On a bar for .050 chain (the chain really is Stihl "3", and I've miked the drive links), the groove is between .061 and .067 wide, and the side rails are...