MS391 scored piston while milling

[ZinTrees]

I would say 75% of saws I see with a roached piston are from gas related issues (strait or thin mix) or a dull chain.
The less than sharp chain "gets" alot of people because the concept can be confusing, but a dull chain will smoke the most professional and expensive saw.
You should be afraid that if your hand accidentally slips and hits a stationary chain you might require stitches.

yeah, mine was dull

whats your favorite way of gettin them sharp? I either freehand file or use a clamp on file jig (The one that clamps to the file), had better results from the jig, but a pain to get the chain super sharp (Probably took an hour)

I guess keep it sharp, touch it up every slab/tank of fuel would be best

 

[sean donato]

yeah, mine was dull

whats your favorite way of gettin them sharp? I either freehand file or use a clamp on file jig (The one that clamps to the file), had better results from the jig, but a pain to get the chain super sharp (Probably took an hour)

I guess keep it sharp, touch it up every slab/tank of fuel would be best

Depends on what your cutting but yeah, going over the chain frequently is needed.

 

[ZinTrees]

been doing poplar, ive got a big oak to mill up, new piston gets here tomorrow, gonna sand the cylinder (it isnt too bad)

had a good excuse to polish the exhaust port, and probably gonna do a muffler mod (drill a hole and add a tube opposite the stock one so while we are milling the exhaust goes up and away, instead of crowding on the ground)

 

[sean donato]

Go easy on her in the oak, I mill with my 394xp pushing a 36" bar, (normally average 32" or less of cut width) it works well but does need an easy steady hand wile feeding it not to over work the saw. I'll normally make 3 passes if making 8' or 10' board and go over the chain. Give the saw a bit of idle time in between cuts to help cool her down some.

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

Yes ,I used a 395xp for white oak and chestnut oak , about every 3 passes sharpen the chain ,for me.
I free hand file but whatever gets you results will do , filing is time consuming and hard work when your hot, saws hot, and your swinging around boards ,but you'll save your saw in the long run.

 

[ZinTrees]

anyone know if a muffler mod is a good/bad idea for milling? I imagine the saw will need a turn, but should run cooler (Can dump the hot air from the exhaust faster)

 

[Mad Professor]

I would say 75% of saws I see with a roached piston are from gas related issues (strait or thin mix) or a dull chain.
The less than sharp chain "gets" alot of people because the concept can be confusing, but a dull chain will smoke the most professional and expensive saw.
You should be afraid that if your hand accidentally slips and hits a stationary chain you might require stitches.

Always wear gloves when filing, your knuckles will thank you.

 

[Pepster]

Get a bandsaw for milling.

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

For milling, I would be running 32:1 and rich enough that it 4-strokes with the slightest lightening of load.

Solid advice right there. I tune like that for with all my saws for bucking, but they are all pre 90’s with some as early as the 50’s.

 

[Pepster]

Depends on the attitude & humidity.

 

[mountainlake]

Get a bandsaw for milling.

Yes get a bandsaw or hire a good one for a day, you'll come out money ahead either way. I'll mill more in a day than a chainsaw mill could do in a month, plus way more lumber out of a log. Steve

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

In the parks a chainsaw mill is the only way to get a building or benches made miles out on a trail or up on a mountain. They have a purpose in those situations.

 

[mountainlake]

Another place is for wide logs that wont fir a bandsaw. Steve

 

[J D]

You should be afraid that if your hand accidentally slips and hits a stationary chain you might require stitches.

For example...

 

[J D]

My vote is also for 32:1 & a slightly rich tune when milling... & yes, a muffler mod will help with heat & the saw will perform better

 

[ZinTrees]

dang, this blew up

we want to build a bandsaw, but money and property wont allow for one right now (We are moving in the near ish future, and we have nowhere to put a bandsaw mill)
im gonna see about updating out mix to 32:1, and a re tune

 

[HumBurner]

Guys you do realize 30wt oil was the standard 2 stroke oil before dedicated mix oil came about, right?

I had not read this. Haven't gotten into the older generations of saws yet.

You learn a little everyday.

 

[ZinTrees]

I had not read this. Haven't gotten into the older generations of saws yet.

You learn a little everyday.

yup

 

[RED-85-Z51]

Guys you do realize 30wt oil was the standard 2 stroke oil before dedicated mix oil came about, right?

Yes...when the saws were not built as tight, and didn't run as fast or as hot

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[cookies]

Use sae 30 NON DETERGENT oil in your mix, strait oil burns more completely/easier than oils with detergents/polymers/additives