Chris-PA
Where the Wild Things Are
I'm enjoying collecting and using saws that everyone else hates, which usually means plastic Poulans. However, I have recently discovered plastic Macs, and it would seem that if it's possible then these are even more despised that the Poulans. I think that's because at least some of the Poulan guys like the Poulans, but even Mac guys hate the plastic Macs! Seems the little Macs get blamed for sinking the company, although I think they're more of a symptom than a cause.
Anyway, I got to looking at the Mac 3200 series a while ago, and kind of liked how they were designed. Eventually I picked up a 2012s, which is the same 32cc saw with the Silver Eagle labelling and colors. While everything you see and touch may be plastic, there is a horizontal cylinder and the bar studs are mounted right to the bottom end casting of the engine, so the basic structure of it is very much like other Macs. Then there are two plastic housings that cover everything and form the rear handle. Unlike the old top handle Mac 110 style saws, the carb is on the top under it's own cover so it's not that bad to work on. Replacing the fuel line still requires removing one side of the housing, but again it's not bad. Overall though it's a pretty simple little saw.
I posted previously that it was a buzzy saw without A/V (larger versions were available with A/V), But I've gotten used to that with better gloves and taking brakes. I also noticed it didn't like to rev too much, and the difference between it and my 142 is very clear in that area. And it was easy to bog even with a 12" bar. But it is very light so I used it quite a lot trimming up small branches and brush.
But I still wanted to see what I could do to improve it. I had done a real quick muffler mod before I even started it the first time, but I thought I should look at it again. I decided that one of the internal baffles should be opened up further, and took pictures this time. Here's how it ended up:
First baffle - this is the one I felt was still restrictive, so I combined the center holes into an oval:
Screen removed and two large holes added:
Inlet:
Port:
I runs much better now. I don't have a tach but I think it revs a bit better, but it definitely does not bog as easily. Friday I ran it in oak and ash logs that were 11" to beyond the 12" bar tip and it cut fairly impressively for a 32cc saw. The chain is sharp but it's still Oregon 91VX with the full shark fin bumpers. I'm leaving that on for now because I think it actually works better in the small branches where I find the little stuff sometimes just bounces off the non-safety chain. I'm pretty pleased with it now.
Anyone else willing to admit they have plastic Mac and use it?
Anyway, I got to looking at the Mac 3200 series a while ago, and kind of liked how they were designed. Eventually I picked up a 2012s, which is the same 32cc saw with the Silver Eagle labelling and colors. While everything you see and touch may be plastic, there is a horizontal cylinder and the bar studs are mounted right to the bottom end casting of the engine, so the basic structure of it is very much like other Macs. Then there are two plastic housings that cover everything and form the rear handle. Unlike the old top handle Mac 110 style saws, the carb is on the top under it's own cover so it's not that bad to work on. Replacing the fuel line still requires removing one side of the housing, but again it's not bad. Overall though it's a pretty simple little saw.
I posted previously that it was a buzzy saw without A/V (larger versions were available with A/V), But I've gotten used to that with better gloves and taking brakes. I also noticed it didn't like to rev too much, and the difference between it and my 142 is very clear in that area. And it was easy to bog even with a 12" bar. But it is very light so I used it quite a lot trimming up small branches and brush.
But I still wanted to see what I could do to improve it. I had done a real quick muffler mod before I even started it the first time, but I thought I should look at it again. I decided that one of the internal baffles should be opened up further, and took pictures this time. Here's how it ended up:
First baffle - this is the one I felt was still restrictive, so I combined the center holes into an oval:
Screen removed and two large holes added:
Inlet:
Port:
I runs much better now. I don't have a tach but I think it revs a bit better, but it definitely does not bog as easily. Friday I ran it in oak and ash logs that were 11" to beyond the 12" bar tip and it cut fairly impressively for a 32cc saw. The chain is sharp but it's still Oregon 91VX with the full shark fin bumpers. I'm leaving that on for now because I think it actually works better in the small branches where I find the little stuff sometimes just bounces off the non-safety chain. I'm pretty pleased with it now.
Anyone else willing to admit they have plastic Mac and use it?
