Tricks of the trade

[RC Cole]

I am an old fart trying to work smarter not harder. just starting to attempt to work on small engines in general , chainsaws in specific.
What tricks of the trade make it easier, more efficient, faster or just plain better working on chainsaws ?
my Canadian Beauty adventure makes me think that the FIRST thing I will do with my next project or repair is figure out how to make an adjustable cradle so the saw doesn't rock all over the place once the handle is removed.
I am sure there is a wealth of information out there, share with a greenhorn if you would please .

 

[buttercup]

You have the handle removed, and the bar removed. That's just a lump of mechanics on your workbench, how you gonna make it lay still?
Surely it will jump all around, you thought of having just a tiny whiskey to compensate?

 

[RC Cole]

Oh no, See I am 5"2" when I stand on my right leg but 4'8" when I stand on the left. so i just switch which foot I stand on and its all level.

 

[buttercup]

Oh no, See I am 5"2" when I stand on my right leg but 4'8" when I stand on the left. so i just switch which foot I stand on and its all level.

Tidy workbench, keep track of the parts, and read the builders comments. That's what I do, nothing level about me until I hear the sweet postal van lady knock on my door.

 

[president]

I am fortunate to have the stihl workstand.The saw bolts to the bracket
with the bar studs and its mounted to an almost infinitley
multi position ball squeezed bettween 2 plates for rotation,and angle
adjustement .You;r saw can spin fully upside down and around to desired
spot and locked into place for hands free work
Husky makes one too but the stihl is more versatile

 

[RC Cole]

how about a photo???

 

[MarkB]

One thing that helped me out the most was to get the workshop manual for my (Stihl) saws. Lots of info in it.

 

[pioneerguy600]

how about a photo???

This is the only pic I have of one that was sold on here a few years ago, it may not be the most current model.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Oh no, See I am 5"2" when I stand on my right leg but 4'8" when I stand on the left. so i just switch which foot I stand on and its all level.

Google "tree monkeys chainsaw vise" he has a nice one.

 

[pioneerguy600]

There has been many nice one of built saw holders made by members on here over the years but they are not for sale, the Wilton vice is a nice one that can still be found,

 

[Ryan'smilling]

A nice addition that makes disassembly go much quicker is some 6" long bits for your impact driver. T-27 and some metric bits.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Here is a beaut made by an AS member back around 2011,

 

[rocketnorton]

old, chitty, big stihl mount bar cut off bout 4" ahead of mount, welded to piece of pipe 6-8" allows almost any position in vise.
the big stihl mount fits almost anything using washers, etc.
sorry dont have pic.

 

[pioneerguy600]

The one I made several years ago has served me well but I can`t find any pics of it, between Photobucket and this site losing pics I will have to take a pic or two of it next time its out for use.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Just needed to change my search words some and whatya you know, found it,

 

[Jeff Lary]

old, chitty, big stihl mount bar cut off bout 4" ahead of mount, welded to piece of pipe 6-8" allows almost any position in vise.
the big stihl mount fits almost anything using washers, etc.
sorry dont have pic.

Well we need one now go get it!

 

[pioneerguy600]

Made this up from scrap around the shop one morning when it wasn`t crazy busy, has been very handy ever since.

 

[Jeff Lary]

I copied the first photo you posted of the Stihl on a vice. I will make one of those some day, when the spirit moves me...

 

[Cliff R]

Two items are a must here, a BIG shop vise and some large commercial cookie sheets to keep **** from rolling off the bench and on the floor.

I've built over 13,000 carburetors here since going full time in 2003, plus worked on butt-loads of small power equipment, transmissions, engines, etc. I can remember very few jobs where I didn't use one of my huge shop vises to hold something and I always use the cookie sheets to keep stuff where I want it.........Cliff

 

[Whiskers]

Find clean saws to work on